20 Gallon JBJ Frag tank build

Jeeper · Apr 21, 2016

I picked up a JBJ frag tank off @Reefrookie220 over the weekend and I'm planning on using it as a coral/invert quarantine tank and grow out tank. Planning on using a mp10 for flow and an AI Prime for lighting. Aquatic life mini 115 skimmer and in tank media basket. This tank is going with my fish quarantine in a room off the garage. It's not climate controlled but my heater and a fan have thus far been able to maintain 80 +\- 2 degrees.

Now.. Should I put in sand or leave it bare bottom? I really dig rock flower anemones and plan on getting a few in the future. Will rock flower anemones do ok on bare bottom? Looks are not going to matter on this tank and all I am concerned with is function. I'm thinking the sand will help out with filtration but bare bottom would be easier to clean. I have some left over sand so I don't have to purchase any. I don't have any frag racks but egg crate is cheap. I have good sized pieces of live rock in my DT that I plan to use to kick start the tank. I have been wondering though if I go bare bottom with fresh salt water and the rock from my DT would I even have a cycle?

Open to recommendations....

Reefrookie220 · Apr 21, 2016

Bare bottom, use that back chamber as a fuge for your rock and sand, the spray bar would blow sand every where. My .02. Good choice on the prime!

Jeeper · Apr 21, 2016

I'm off today so I'm cleaning and modifying... I am going to do away with the spray bar, cover the hole and move my return up higher. Added this that I had ordered when I had the old sump that came with my 75.

Jeeper · May 3, 2016

Took the filter sock bracket out.. Didn't realize that was where the Intank rack went.

I have it in my fish room which is basically a closet off the garage where the water heater lives. Using the brute for Rodi and need to quit being lazy and plumb the slim jim with a valve for my mixing tank. I am planning on redoing my workbench and that is basically my excuse for the wire octopus going everywhere.

Reefrookie220 · May 3, 2016

That prime is going to rock that tank, it'll be a great grow out tank

Reeflogic · May 3, 2016

Steve, really no need to raise the return level, your MP10 will be overkill for flow on that 20g. I have an MP10 on a 12g shallow and have it on the 3rd speed lol. Also, I'd maybe reconsider the edge of the tank hanging off the shelf. The way the JBJ's are sealed, it might blow out without the support, even at 20 gallons. It may not, but I'd be nervous lol. Looks great, though!!

Jeeper · May 3, 2016

Yeah as soon as my fish are out of qt I plan on rebuilding the work bench (may 20). It hangs over about .5 of an inch... I'm planning on making it about 5 inches wider. I have the 2x4s and 3/4 plywood on hand.

Reeflogic · May 3, 2016

Good deal man! I have a 30g JBJ rimless and the bottom plate is cut smaller than the sides and glued in without any support! Just had me nervous

Jeeper · May 26, 2016

Built a new stand/workbench for my frag tank and Quarantine tank. I finished painting it but forgot to take a picture... I'm going to drill holes for the wiring to run underneath to some power strips. I hate spaghetti wiring. It screwed into the studs in the wall on both sides and all 6 of the uprights have angle brackets top and bottom. It should be much stronger than the previous one.

Reeflogic · May 27, 2016

Nice work man!! Coming along nicely!

Chriscrna · May 27, 2016

Yeah baby! I like watching projects unfold.

Jeeper · May 30, 2016

Getting closer. Have to plumb my RODI container and my mixing tank. Also plan to square away the wires underneath more.

Chriscrna · May 30, 2016

Let's see a closer shot of the jbj. I like the sand choice!

Jeeper · May 30, 2016

My JBJ 20 build has turned into more of a fish room build... I'm using the same sand as you =). Enjoying some adult beverages by the pool, I'll take a pictures this evening.

Reeflogic · May 30, 2016

Heck yeah man, turned out awesome! You've GOT to get me some of those NAPA buckets, though!!!!

Jeeper · May 30, 2016

Plan is to place frags in the sand. Rock is for anemone. I have two bags of marine pure spheres in the back and my sponges and chemical filters in the in tank basket. I took all that stuff out and put it in a bucket with a bubbler while I redid the room. I'm hopeful that this will prevent a cycle. Sand is the Carib sea alive stuff and the Rock is from my biocube tank. I spotted an aiptasia on it and pulled it today. Saw a brittle star in the rock it so its in qt until I deal with the aiptasia. So far that's one of the few things I have been able to keep out of my tanks. I don't plan on any cuc that will turn stuff over (no turbos).

Baby Ray · May 30, 2016

Lookin good!!!!!

Jeeper · May 30, 2016

As a reward for my hard work I tapped my latest hombrew. This ain't chocolate milk =)

Chriscrna · May 30, 2016

I had the same tank for awhile. @Rob.D has it now. I liked it a lot.

You should spray paint the white pvc black. Actually, I'd be tempted to take the spray bar completely off. Or plug the spray bar directly into the bottom elbow and have it spray vertically. Could always plug up the bottom few holes if it's blowing sand.

Just a thought.

Jeeper · May 30, 2016

I thought about redrilling it. I need to find a solution. I don't really need it with the mp10. All it does it move water through my filtration in the back... I thought about angling it to spray up and I may try that.