2 Level 60 Gallon Frag System

edreefer · Aug 28, 2020

So after collecting many frags running out of space to put them in my Main Display Tank, I decided to build a 2 story frag system and plumb it to my running display tank sump.

I only have a small footprint of space to work with: an area 33”x24” and as high as i want to go...

I plan on using the top frag tank primarily for propagating my BTAs. I have speckled rainbows, and my newest addition is a Colorado Sunburst.

The bottom tank will be used for acclimating new frags and fragging my own for trades/selling.

This is what I have in mind:

theatrus · Aug 28, 2020

Looks good. Are you planning on having the systems run off of one return pump and cascade into each other?

Are you planning laminar flow across the length of the tanks?

edreefer · Aug 28, 2020

So, my plan is to have the top cascade down i to the bottom tank. The bottom tank will drain back into the sump of my DT.

This is the stand:

edreefer · Aug 30, 2020

More updates on progress. Tanks are installed and plumbed. I installed a check valve on the return line that feeds the top tank.

Each tank is 30”x24”x12”. Overflows are located on opposite corners.

See images:

R.Weller · Aug 31, 2020

Looking like a great addition. Well done.

edreefer · Aug 31, 2020

R.Weller said:
Looking like a great addition. Well done.

Hey, Thanks for the feedback! It has taken some significant planning and persuading my wife, but its finally coming together.

edreefer · Aug 31, 2020

Lighting...

I will be using 24” Aquaticlife T5 Hybrid fixture accompanied with an AI Hydra 32. One fixture per tank.

For a controller, ive been connecting T5s to some smart outlet adapters ive purchased from Amazon. They work like a charm. Ill run the tanks offset. One very early morning around 5am-3pm, the other will run from 1pm-10pm. I will adjust the times as i see fit.

Here are the lights:

TDEcoral · Aug 31, 2020

It looks to me like a lot of the weight of your frag tanks (especially the lower one) will only be supported by the shear strength of the screws holding the horizontal pieces in place. Ideally, all the weight should be supported by vertical pieces. If it were me, I wouldn't feel good about it until there was additional support added to the stand. Just some food for thought and it looks like it'll be a nice frag system!

Edit: This would be overkill, but it gives you an idea of the best way to build a multilevel stand. It's based on the "rocket engineer" design.

edreefer · Aug 31, 2020

TDEcoral said:
It looks to me like a lot of the weight of your frag tanks (especially the lower one) will only be supported by the shear strength of the screws holding the horizontal pieces in place. Ideally, all the weight should be supported by vertical pieces. If it were me, I wouldn't feel good about it until there was additional support added to the stand. Just some food for thought and it looks like it'll be a nice frag system!

Edit: This would be overkill, but it gives you an idea of the best way to build a multilevel stand. It's based on the "rocket engineer" design.

TDE Coral, thanks for the safety concern and feedback regarding strength. That is definitely important. That last thing I would want is the tanks crashing down.

I took into account the shear strength of the screws and decided to leave them out. I did a mortise and tenon joint on all connections (2 per joint) and Titebond III. The only screws that were used were the ones to attach the 3/4" plywood to the 2x4s that the tanks will rest on. I ran the numbers by a friend who owns a LFS who also happens to be a contractor. He confirmed all was good with the plans.

The stand was pretty solid when I finished.

Thanks again!

TDEcoral · Aug 31, 2020

edreefer said:
TDE Coral, thanks for the safety concern and feedback regarding strength. That is definitely important. That last thing I would want is the tanks crashing down.

I took into account the shear strength of the screws and decided to leave them out. I did a mortise and tenon joint on all connections (2 per joint) and Titebond III. The only screws that were used were the ones to attach the 3/4" plywood to the 2x4s that the tanks will rest on. I ran the numbers by a friend who owns a LFS who also happens to be a contractor. He confirmed all was good with the plans.

The stand was pretty solid when I finished.

Thanks again!

Oh that's good to hear! I'm not sure I've ever seen someone use mortise and tenon joints on a stand before. I was kind of wondering if there was some trickery going on based the first picture of the sides of the stand lol. With those joints and the titebond, it'll be solid as a rock

edreefer · Aug 31, 2020

TDEcoral said:
Oh that's good to hear! I'm not sure I've ever seen someone use mortise and tenon joints on a stand before. I was kind of wondering if there was some trickery going on based the first picture of the sides of the stand lol. With those joints and the titebond, it'll be solid as a rock

“Trickery”!!! LOL!!!

I initially wanted to make a welded stand using square steel tubing and then powder coating. This would have been my first choice, but the logistics of procuring the metal, cutting, welding, grinding, transporting to powder coating, costs of powder coating, etc were too much.

I do woodworking as a hobby, so this was the next best thing. Maybe mortise and tenon was overkill, but I like overengineering my projects. Go big or go home. Plus, with my 2 little ones running around (3 if you invlude the pooch), i prefer to have peace of mind.

edreefer · Aug 31, 2020

For frag rack, Im using basic eggcrate, except black in color. Using 1/2” PVC gives you enough space to utilize the hole its supporting, so you dont lose usable space.

I may decide to cut up the rack at a later time to allow me to maneuver things around inside the tank.