Building a frag tank, what equipment is needed?

Zeal · Dec 30, 2019

Hi all I’m having a frag tank built the dimensions are 28x28x10 (30g) at 1/2“ glass with 1” drain and overflow and 3/4” return

This will be my first custom made. The sump will probably be a 30g that I’m getting from a local in the club.

for the return pump I’m not sure which I’ll be getting just yet probably something generic.

For the wavemaker I’m not sure what to get...

I read the Nero 5 has a hard time holding onto 1/2 glass...

So either the Maxspect Gyre or a MP10. I plan on grow everything from SPS to softies.

For light I’m thinking the Kessil A360W-E Tuna Blue.

What does everyone think of my equipment list? Any info would be great. I’m trying to get this done right the first time without having to sell my kidney to afford all this

Thanks!!

revhtree · Dec 30, 2019

Is the tank 10" deep?

Is the overflow built in? I would consider to drain holes for a back up just in case. I have a frag tank and I drilled 2 holes and am glad because I've had instances where one side got stopped up because of various reasons. But with an overflow not sure you would have this problem. Still 2 would be ideal I think!

Zeal · Dec 30, 2019

revhtree said:
Is the tank 10" deep?

Is the overflow built in? I would consider to drain holes for a back up just in case. I have a frag tank and I drilled 2 holes and am glad because I've had instances where one side got stopped up because of various reasons. But with an overflow not sure you would have this problem. Still 2 would be ideal I think!

I was thinking 8 would be too shallow?

mans whatcha mean about having the overflow built in?

revhtree · Dec 30, 2019

Like will you be adding in an actual overflow?

Zeal · Dec 30, 2019

revhtree said:
Like will you be adding in an actual overflow?

No, it’ll just be holes with some pipes coming out

revhtree · Dec 30, 2019

Ok yes I would drill for two holes! Also I use a screw in screens to keep snails out of them.

45ZoaGarden · Dec 30, 2019

The mp10 is a good choice but the gyre would probably be better because it spreads flow out much more. It might also be better to use two kessil 160’s to spread the light out more. You could also buy an overflow box if you didn’t want to drill the tank. Drilling is probably the better way to go though

Zeal · Dec 30, 2019

45ZoaGarden said:
The mp10 is a good choice but the gyre would probably be better because it spreads flow out much more. It might also be better to use two kessil 160’s to spread the light out more. You could also buy an overflow box if you didn’t want to drill the tank. Drilling is probably the better way to go though

Why 2 kessil? More cost effective?

edit: wouldn’t 2 be too much light? If im
Trying to grow alittle big of everything

45ZoaGarden · Dec 30, 2019

Zeal said:
Why 2 kessil? More cost effective?

It would spread the light more...

ScottB · Dec 30, 2019

I care a lot about flow in frag tanks, and struggled for a while to optimize it. Here is what I would recommend:

"Staircase" your frag racks so that the highest level rack is in the middle of the tank. Run two MP10s Qdw opposed to each other on the bottom of the glass effectively under the tallest center rack.

Run them 100%, random, opposed, ReefCrest mode. (I think I worded that right)

By doing this you should accomplish:
- plenty of indirect flow and turbulence
- no vortexes sucking air from the surface
- detritus will stay pretty well suspended for export.
- won't be sloshing water out of the tank

I would encourage you to go to 12" (or even 16") so your sticks on the tall shelf don't grow out of the water.

A pic in case my description is lacking. It looks like some flow would be hitting direct but it is not; it passes under the rack.

Zeal · Dec 30, 2019

ScottB said:
I care a lot about flow in frag tanks, and struggled for a while to optimize it. Here is what I would recommend:

"Staircase" your frag racks so that the highest level rack is in the middle of the tank. Run two MP10s Qdw opposed to each other on the bottom of the glass effectively under the tallest center rack.

Run them 100%, random, opposed, ReefCrest mode. (I think I worded that right)

By doing this you should accomplish:
- plenty of indirect flow and turbulence
- no vortexes sucking air from the surface
- detritus will stay pretty well suspended for export.
- won't be sloshing water out of the tank

I would encourage you to go to 12" (or even 16") so your sticks on the tall shelf don't grow out of the water.

A pic in case my description is lacking. It looks like some flow would be hitting direct but it is not; it passes under the rack.

Interesting.. but idk about spending 500$ on just pumps. I think the best gyre could be enough?

As for height wouldn’t more water cause less light to hit the corals at the bottom? Unless you’re running something super strong

45ZoaGarden · Dec 30, 2019

Zeal said:
Interesting.. but idk about spending 500$ on just pumps. I think the best gyre could be enough?

As for height wouldn’t more water cause less light to hit the corals at the bottom? Unless you’re running something super strong

The gyre with 2k gph should be more than enough. As for height, it is a shallow tank. The 360 or two 160’s should give you more than enough lighting at the bottom for sticks

Coastie Reefer · Dec 30, 2019

Here's what I'd do... ( take it with a grain of salt lol)

Lighting: 24" t5 hybrid with 2 B+ and 2 Actinic and a couple primes
Return: Varios 2
Flow: Icecap 4k (don't need that much flow, but I don't like running my pumps at full power)

Zeal · Dec 30, 2019

Coastie Reefer said:
Here's what I'd do... ( take it with a grain of salt lol)

Lighting: 24" t5 hybrid with 2 B+ and 2 Actinic and a couple primes
Return: Varios 2
Flow: Icecap 4k (don't need that much flow, but I don't like running my pumps at full power)

How many gallons is the tank

Coastie Reefer · Dec 30, 2019

Zeal said:
How many gallons is the tank

based that on your tank...

My setup is a bit different, but I use a variation of that setup.

I use a varios 4, F250 Gyres, and t5 black box hybrid

Ignore the mess, I'm in the middle of expanding...

Zeal · Dec 30, 2019

Coastie Reefer said:
based that on your tank...

My setup is a bit different, but I use a variation of that setup.

I use a varios 4, F250 Gyres, and t5 black box hybrid

Ignore the mess, I'm in the middle of expanding...

Omg that’s a dream

well the guy that was going to build my tank just backed out... back to searching....

45ZoaGarden · Dec 30, 2019

Zeal said:
Omg that’s a dream

well the guy that was going to build my tank just backed out... back to searching....

IM makes a nice 25 gallon frag tank for $350

Mical · Dec 30, 2019

I just had "luckreef" on Ebay build me a frag tank. https://www.ebay.com/usr/luckreef?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

His acrylic work is 2nd to none. I have a couple of his ATO res's and other pieces and they run circles around the mass produced & commercially sold units. And his prices are reasonable.