A 1,500-Gallon Masterpiece in California: Inside A Custom Reef Tank Build
At World Wide Corals, we take pride in bringing world-class saltwater aquariums to life — no matter the size or distance. For this extraordinary project in California, our team engineered one of our most ambitious builds yet: a 14-foot-long, 5-foot-wide, 3-foot-tall reef aquarium, totaling just under 1,500 gallons.
This installation demonstrates what’s possible when precision engineering meets expertise — a true statement piece that transforms an entire room into a living environment.
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Project Overview: The Build and Equipment
This custom aquarium is a powerhouse of design and functionality. Measuring 14’ x 5’ x 3’, this tank is paired with a custom 10-foot sump, featuring dual fleece rollers for automated mechanical filtration.
The system includes a Bubble King Deluxe 500 protein skimmer, Abyzz A1200 return pump, and a Geo CR1218 calcium reactor with a secondary media chamber for rock-solid parameter stability.
Internal water flow is generated by six Hydro Wizard ECM 63 wave makers, providing exceptional circulation across the tank’s impressive width.
Lighting comes from an incredible array of 18 Ecotech Radion XR30s, complemented by six AI Blade 66” Coral Grow fixtures for full-spectrum coral growth and shimmer. The entire system is controlled and monitored via HYDROS, ensuring real-time precision and reliability.
Engineering the Installation
Bringing a tank of this magnitude to life required months of coordination. Since the project was located on the West Coast, logistics planning spanned over six months, covering everything from freight shipping of equipment to sourcing specialized plumbing locally.
When delivery day arrived, the team used a large forklift with extended forks to carefully move the massive aquarium into place through a convenient roll-up door. Once positioned, it was time to tackle the plumbing — and there was a lot of it.
With six 2-inch overflow lines and six 1.5-inch return lines, all Schedule 80 PVC, the plumbing alone took about two full days of work. Precision was key, as the system’s balance and flow depend on flawless routing and sealing.
Lighting installation presented another major challenge. The team constructed a custom Unistrut lighting frame spanning the tank’s full 14-foot length, mounting all fixtures cleanly and neatly. An upper shelf was added to organize each ballast, keeping the overall presentation sharp and professional — no visible clutter.
Doing all this over an already-filled 14-foot tank required careful maneuvering, teamwork, and patience, but the end result was worth every effort.
Innovation & Design Highlights
One of the most striking elements of this build is the aquarium’s design itself. At 14 feet long, it’s one of the largest single display tanks we’ve ever installed — and it serves as a room divider, viewable from both sides.
To ensure proper surface skimming and circulation, we designed coast-to-coast overflows on each end of the tank. These overflows not only optimize filtration efficiency but also house built-in dry side chases that conceal all wiring for powerheads and other gear. The result? A perfectly clean, professional aesthetic with no visible cords or cables — just pure reef beauty from every angle.
Maintenance & Care
A system of this size brings a whole new meaning to “routine maintenance.” While water changes and top-offs are largely automated — often just a twist of a valve — the deep cleaning is another story.
With the tank being 5 feet wide and 3 feet tall, there’s no avoiding it: maintenance means getting wet. Full visibility and cleanliness require someone literally climbing inside the tank to reach every surface.
The HYDROS automation helps streamline many routine tasks, but a reef this large still demands regular, hands-on attention from trained professionals to maintain optimal health and presentation.
Expert Advice for Future Clients
When it comes to builds of this magnitude, space is everything. You’ll need not just room for the display, but significant space for the life-support gear, filtration, and water storage systems.
Plan for ample water reserves — both for top-offs and for emergency water changes. Even with automation and efficiency built in, time investment and maintenance scale dramatically with tank size.
In short: if you’re dreaming big, plan bigger. The results are absolutely worth it — but these living ecosystems demand respect, space, and commitment.
Conclusion: A Living Work of Art
The 1,500-gallon reef isn’t just a tank — it’s a piece of living architecture. From its crystal-clear flow and pristine wiring to its ocean-blue lighting and seamless design, every detail reflects the World Wide Corals standard: precision, beauty, and life in perfect balance.
Ready to start your own dream reef project?
Contact World Wide Corals Aquarium Installs today for professional consultation and installation services.
Fully licensed and insured, available 7 days a week for saltwater aquarium design, installation, and maintenance.
