We recently started installing a 450 gallon aquarium and I've been snapping a few shots along the way. They're all done with my phone, so don't beat me up too much over it. They're still building the house around it. The goal is to have thet ank running with some stock by the time the home owners move in. Some specs(I'll add more later):

1. 450g (60x48x36) with Eurobracing
2. Viewable sides are Starfire
3. 10 x 54w HO T5s in wide configuration w/moonlights and custom brackets.
4. Will be a mixed reef.
5. Run ~80ft of 1.5" Spears Schedule 40 PVC plus some 1" and 3/4".
6. Skimmer: Commercial MRC Needle Wheel
7. Custom MRC Sump with Southeast Aquariums engraving.
8. Actuated ball valve with custom controller for current control.
9. External Overflow box.
10. The tank is located on the floor above and over ~7 feet.
11. Custom MRC acrylic mixing tank located directly below the tank.
12. R/O D.I. topoff controlled via float valve and electronic solenoid w/timer.
13. My 160lb dog is in the picture so you can get some size reference. :)

We've finished more than what's shown in these pictures. I'll have more up next week once we aquascape and add water.

Sweet!

Wow. Is the whole thing glass?

mmmm new tank set up and building dust....Looks like a great build! Cant wait to see more.

WOW, that's a huge tank. Can't wait to see more pics.

How will they access the top of the tank? I didn't see any panels or door on the side.

Wow. Is the whole thing glass?

It's funny that you ask that, because it isn't. The bottom is I believe polypropelyne(I'll find out if I'm wrong) and the top rim is acrylic. This makes it pretty much impossible to break the bottom(and easy to move with a fork lift) and allows for eurobracing with rounded edges on the top. MRC has too much going on right now to put together a single Starfire tank, so we farmed this one out this time.

How will they access the top of the tank? I didn't see any panels or door on the side.

That's why they hire me to clean it :). Here's a pic of my access. We'll aquascape dry while in the tank and secure all the rocks together. I'll be able to place all coral with tongs. I have another one that's very similiar to this set up, only smaller, but still very managable. The area seen below in this shot is also where the plumbing now runs and the salt water mixing tank is stored.

I'll take care of most algae with a Tiger Shark magnet scraper with and Easy Blade attachment.

Wow - I have enough trouble getting things the way I want them in an open air tank. I don't think I would fit in that space. haha Going to be nice. 36"H and T5's - softy tank?

It's funny that you ask that, because it isn't. The bottom is I believe polypropelyne(I'll find out if I'm wrong) and the top rim is acrylic. This makes it pretty much impossible to break the bottom(and easy to move with a fork lift) and allows for eurobracing with rounded edges on the top. MRC has too much going on right now to put together a single Starfire tank, so we farmed this one out this time.


That's why I asked... I assumed it was acrylic by looking at it and then you mentioned starfire. If it'll hold together that's the perfect composite of materials imo. Very nice.

36"H and T5's - softy tank?
Yeah, mainly. I have some clients that I keep SPS with, but it's such a huge risk when you only see a tank every two weeks. Most people want to see color, movement, interesting animals, and a diversity of shapes. Softies and LPS provide that with great stability. The T5s all have individual reflectors and the two racks are positioned to cover the two islands to be aquascaped, while keeping most of the light from hitting the viewing panes, cutting back on algae.

If it'll hold together that's the perfect composite of materials imo. Very nice.

I have no doubts of it holding. A great blend of materials, indeed.

So who built it? Very creative.

I cant wait to see it up & running!

so who built it? Very creative.
+2

Some more specs:
1. 150mg/hr ozone
2. 120 watt U.V. sterilizer
3. 200lbs of sand
4. 300-400lbs of live rock
5. Sysyem pump is a Reeflo Manta Ray 5200GPH

After filling the tank and getting it running, the client changed their mind on aquascaping and said that they do not want to be able to see through the tank. I haven't fully figured out the logistics of that yet. You'll see in the photos what it takes to aquascape a tank like that.

You can see the lighting bracket we cut from sheet PVC supporting the dual dome configuration HOT5s and the matching sump, shelf, and powercenter bracket we've built from polypropelyne. Also, notice the new Reeflo by MRC skimmer. Preeeeeety :).

We're going to have to redo the teeth on the external overflow to handle more water so we can really open up the pump. We're also going to have to hook a laptop up the the actuated ball valve controller to adjust the timings for better wave motion. We may add penductor, but that all depends on what we can accomplish with the new overflow teeth configuration. We didn't want that linear of waterflow, but we'll see. Fun, fun, fun!

Oh, and that's about 5 minutes of skimming. I forgot to get a pic of the plumbing exiting the tank... next update, I suppose. These pics don't do the 48" width of the tank justice. I'll have to get Tim to take some real pictures of it.

So who built it? Very creative.

A company that builds mainly for museums. We can't give away all of our secrets, you never know who's watching :).

Wow! I love that look there. So they're changing from that to something that blocks the view?

Yeah, I know. We're looking into more creative options than changing the aquascaping when it comes to privacy. 3M makes a glass that turns opaque when an electrical current is applied that may work as an extra layer on the hallway side. We'll see.

Yeah, I know. We're looking into more creative options than changing the aquascaping when it comes to privacy. 3M makes a glass that turns opaque when an electrical current is applied that may work as an extra layer on the hallway side. We'll see.

This is quite possibly one of the most amazing builds I have seen. This rivals the shark pool in Macon......

Yeah, I know. We're looking into more creative options than changing the aquascaping when it comes to privacy. 3M makes a glass that turns opaque when an electrical current is applied that may work as an extra layer on the hallway side. We'll see.


When that glass first came out, it was hella expensive..... over $3000 per sqr foot when first made available to the consumer market.

I first saw it on the Pontiac Transport at the 1988 World Auto Show. The Transport was a very cool concept car back then. How disappointing it was that the finished product was a watered down, mini-van version of what it was designed to be.......

Beautiful house and amazing tank! Can't wait to see more!

When that glass first came out, it was hella expensive..... over $3000 per sqr foot when first made available to the consumer market.

It's significantly less now, but still a little yeesh. Coincidentally enough, it will be about the same price to make a complete rock wall as it will be to get the glass.

Yeah, but the glass would be cool! One piece on each side like a window into the tank and a few switches next to the tank on each side for the glass would be awesome!

Very nice, Danny.