Tony Vargas 300-Gallon Build

When I first moved to Florida my initial intention was to assemble a 500-gallon reef system for our new house, that’s right go larger than the previous tank. So, during the construction phase of my new custom 500-gallon tank I installed a 90-gallon system temporarily to house some of the live stock I bought with me from New York.


The new 500 was built of Diamante glass for HD like clarity and measured 96”Lx36”Wx37”H. Shortly after its delivery I knew I did not want this beast because of its size. Toying around with the 90 I realized that the height of the 90 was comfortable for me at 25½ inches and anything higher than 27 inches would make life difficult. I also had to take into consideration that I would not have access from the rear of the tank. I knew that my arms would not reach the bottom of the tank at a height of 37 inches. Also it would make it very inconvenient when placing and moving rock and corals. If I wanted to place something diagonal toward the back I was going to have major issues accomplishing that task.


This was my first mistake – I knew that I would have to get rid of the tank. It took me several years to realize what tank would meet my needs best.


I knew it was too tall.


Regular Glass to the right.

 

Hi Tony.

When was the first image taken?

Dang what a beautiful empty tank, too big to reach into, too small for scuba gear. :

 

That first photo was taken in 06. The tank sat empty for 4 years.

 

So what size tank will you be going with then?

*edit* oh I see in the thread title its 300g

 

keeping the 90?

 

I'll be right there to pick it up.;D
I have long arms!!!!!;D

 

hey Tony, how are you? was nice meeting you in Phoenix

so are you building a 300g with Diamante glass?

 

agreed. with my 110, 150, and now 225 all being tall model tanks the 30" on them can be annoying. Especially in the reef tank cause I dont know who but someone throws my miami hurricane & red hornet frags onto the sand over and over. Outside of that I dont find much reaason where I have to go all the ways finger to sand though.

 

A few years passed and I came to discover at a MACNA an awesome series of tanks built by Marineland. They had put together a Deep Dimension (DD) series of tanks and the one that interest me most was the 300-gallon DD. A couple of things that intrigued me from the start were the dimensions and the fact that they are made of Starphire Glass. With a depth of 36 inches, aquascaping possibilities were endless and at 27 inches of height it made it very easy to work with. A Marineland 300-gallon DD tank measures 72”Lx36”Wx27”H framed on the top and bottom with black plastic moldings, a plus for the Spouse Factor. Same as photo minus stand and canopy.

 

No, getting rid of it.