Frag rack suggestions

totion · Jul 23, 2013

I just finished my frag tank and will be buying materials this week to build a rack. I'm wanting to do 3 sections, any suggestions on height. I'm thinking front row 6, 4, and 2 and front row 4, 2, and 2. It's a 10 gallon tank

Eckolancer · Jul 23, 2013

Why not just cut egg crate and have it angle from front bottom to back top. Then you can have a lot more frags placed in there and still have the water movement.

Sent from inside the shark tank!

totion · Jul 23, 2013

I'm going to use acrylic sheets and clear acrylic rods and drill holes. I have a koralia 600 for flow if I need more than the 200 gph coming from the return.

Egg crate is too ugly to me. I really like the look of the build so far and don't want to ruin it with egg crate.

c_healy · Jul 23, 2013

I would do what you're talking about.

One thing is if you don't have a table saw or router with the correct blade or bit, 1/4 acrylic is hard to get to snap smoothly with a nice edge. Under 1/4 scores and snaps nicely but it may be too flimsy.

Also use a small hole saw to drill your holes. Regular bits can grab and crack the acrylic. If your don't have a small hole saw take your time and start with a very small bit and work your way up.

totion · Jul 23, 2013

Thank you. Next im buying a blade for my table saw and I'm looking into bits. Never thought about a hole saw. Any particular kind of hole saw?

c_healy · Jul 23, 2013

Hole saws for metal work good as they have more teeth than the wood hole saws.

Home depot sells a $10 table saw blade for finish cuts/plastics that is decent. As with the whole saw you want more teeth for a better cut.

Of course the $60-100 blades are better but for a one time project it will do. Before you cut your material work on cutting up some scraps so you can get the speed down for how slow/fast you put the acrylic through the saw. Too slow and it melts, too fast and it chips.

Also pick up varying grits of sand paper. To finish the edges get a very high grit. This will also help to clean up any imperfections left from the cut.

c_healy · Jul 23, 2013

I'm not sure how you plan to attach the legs. Weldon #4 is the product of choice. But pvc glue will actually work. It takes longer to set and isn't as strong but it will hold it together. It would work fine for this job. I used it for a box I made for my scrubber since I was out of Weldon at the time.

totion · Jul 23, 2013

I'm wanting to drill 1/2 inch holes I think and use 1/2 acrylic rods for legs. I was thinking of using weldon around the rods on the under side of the sheet.

I really appreciate all the help man. Thank you.

c_healy · Jul 23, 2013

No problem, always here to help.

We sell 1/2 hole saw bits at work, same as I use. If you can't find em let me know and I can ship you one.

The best place I've found for Weldon is amazon....good prices and fairly quick shipping.

I wouldn't drill the acrylic for the legs, just cut them to length and bond them to the bottom of the acrylic.

totion · Jul 23, 2013

Hmm. I was hoping to have the legs go the lower racks, creating a kind of overlap and not having to make 24 legs, instead do 16...

c_healy · Jul 23, 2013

You could do two in the back(the higher end) and two in the front (lower end).

Kind of like a tiered set up. That should hold it just fine. The 1/4 acrylic is some what rigid and I'm guessing there won't be too much weight on it and 4 legs should be sufficient.

totion · Jul 23, 2013

I've got some ideas now, I'll do a quick sketch and post them up...

totion · Jul 23, 2013

totion · Jul 23, 2013

Also considering doing 8 6 and 4 for the back row, and either 4 2 and 2 or 6 4 and 4 for the front row. Decisions decisions........

c_healy · Jul 23, 2013

Sounds good

c_healy · Jul 23, 2013

I would consider doing 3 tiers....other than that it looks good.

Jlobes · Jul 23, 2013

im all for DIY. but you could just buy a set of Blue Glow racks and call it a day. They are awesome and get great reviews. there is gonna be a sale happening this weekend as well.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/blue-glow/127021-tbg-summer-splash-live-event-7-28-2013-a.html

jduck · Jul 23, 2013

I like the blue glow ones, they don't fit the large ceramic plugs. So I made some that did.

Don't use hole saw, tough to get clean holes. Use a step bit (uni bit)and drill press if possible. Will have to turn piece over and drill other side to clear shavings out. 3/8" hole for acrylic rod and 7/8" for frag plugs.

c_healy · Jul 23, 2013

Never had any problems with a hole saw so far but ill have to try a step bit next time.

totion · Jul 23, 2013

I would need two of the infinity series. And for the black ones, that $130 and two leftover racks. I've found materials for 40, plus a blade and holesaw, I'll be able to have all of my frag tank filled with a custom fit acrylic rack.

And I love to die stuff.