Frag System Design and Build

[SeymourDuncan]

Ok, so I have started my design process and planning phase. This is a profitable endeavor, so I am not going to dump money into this like a display tank. It is going to be done with what I have and what I can't go without.
What I have:
-75g customized aquarium
-20g hydroponic flood tray
-2 stands
-3 powerheads
-1 return pump
-A slew of disassembled lighting, (pc, t5, halide)
-Rock
-Mother colonies from my display tank

What I need:
-Sump
-Plumbing
-To assemble the lighting for use
-ATO
-climate control (heater/fans)

My goal:
I would like the 75g to be for LPS and softies
I would like the flood tray to be for sps
Filtration: surface skimming and rock
They will share a sump.

Where I am now

The horrible task of arranging 4 aquariums in one room to fit the frag tanks. I am limited to my basement and front porch, and I don't want people to have to go down there since it is creepy and hard to maneuver.

I have 6 foot width and 4ft wide tanks. 90g, 75g, 55g, and the frag tank is on a 4ft stand. I'll have 2ft of space to walk around the tanks. It will encourage me to keep my pant size I suppose

The room right now is blocked off by te turtle tank, so I have to go around the house through the front door to feed him temporarily haha. Silly turtle.

Stay tuned as I figure out how to stick a square through a round hole.

Once finished, this will be a very efficient system for me. Gravity is going to be my worst friend. These tanks are heavy haha.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

First pic:
I can walk through the room!!

Hey its a start

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Ahh yes, I got something done.
Frag tray 1 plumbed and ready. Sump purchased, but not designed. Just a 30g tote.
Next up is the 75g frag tank. I need bulkheads and a little more PVC.
Here's the frag tray and sump on the same stand.

I'm also adding a 2nd drain on the tray for safety, but here is the return and overflow this far

Here is my powerhead arrangement. As I sell frags I will upgrade to controllable wave makers If I decide not to build a dump bucket or surge device.

Lighting will not be difficult. I had a 4x18w t5 fixture in the dirty corner, so I will throw in some appropriate bulbs. A benefit of t5s is the color variety. I can spend half the time using the grow spectrum of 6000-6700k and when the selling season approaches I can swap with higher kelvins to increase color and ultimately make more money.

The 75g, which has been modded to be 6 inches shallower, will be t5 lit as well with 4x54w t5s of the same lineup and schedule. I have a 150w halide on hand if I feel I need more PAR. Here is the 75:

The vertical egg crate is to block snails.
The horizontally mounted ones will hold frags. I will build a rack for the bottom as well when the time comes.

 

[mclevenger10]

looking good bud...that is a lot of tanks lol

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Tanks alot! I could definitely use more space haha

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Got the wiring done with some on hand stuff..eventually will swap it with another pc4 or 2.
Timer for lights and the power strip is for the pumps. Shouldn't be too risky.

I'm still not sure how I will approach filtration. My other frag tanks were just built online with my systems so they would go through anything my display does... Being a frag tank with no fish may be much less dirty.

Does anyone have any opposition to only relying on weekly or biweekly water changes for nutrient export and reentry? Using the sump only for water volume and surface clarity? Seems way too easy but I don't plan on feeding any corals unless I have to.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

I am now at the point of finishing the sump plans, choosing bulbs, and filling the tank.

Things to consider: live rock in the sump for buffering..which also leads to "can dry rock be cycled in a dark sump with no adverse effects on coral, as long as I am not feeding?"

Also rack design. One large tray or several small ones? Small may be easier to clean under, large will allow more corals. Badabing. Gotta choose. Lol.

My light will have the option of ring raised or lowered also. I am going to do a PVC rack unless I chain it up to the ceiling. My ladder is outside...probably just do PVC

Climate control. Gotta keep the tank warm. Winter will be here when corals will be in season so I can't have them shivering out in the fish room. Lowest room temp last year: 66! Space heaters rock.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Made the racks..check
Swapped the nano powerheads for one bigger one...check
Placed plugs...check

Lighting? Ehhhh still working on it

In also need to buy more plugs. Last years supply was not as much as I thought haha.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Sooooooooo.....I got the tank filled with RO water and now I am in a state of "awe crap, really? Come on!"

I had a superskimmer 220 needlewheel pump that I just repaired and decided to see what it can do as a return pump on account of my minimal spending plan...well it definitely pumps faster than advertised. I have 5 hard right angles and 3 feet of head pressure and the pump is way to powerful...huh? 1 inch PVC should handle a skimmer pump right? Not this one. So I am now going back to the farm store for a valve, which honestly didn't seem necessary. This also allows me to reduce my powerheads to just the one I think. There is quite a current. The flow rate is not much more than the drain can handle, but is certainly enough for a flood. I never leave valves out of the equation. I don't know what the heck I was thinking haha.

At least I know im not under pumping

Still looking for lights and contemplating a skimmer. I have 30lbs of dry rock for
The sump already, so that will be plenty for my needs.
So far Odyssea and aquatic life are the only ones I found that make 18watts..any objections? Not going for looks so much as just growing the frags out and not growing algae.

 

[PmCarbrey]

MY one question is lighting. How do you plan on lighting those tanks? MH? if so I'd be worried about temp in an enclosed area like that with so many bulbs! even with T5HO's heat might be an issue during the summer

 

[SeymourDuncan]

T5 is my goal. Heat won't be a problem at all. Fans
Now my problem is finding 18w t5s lol.

 

[Duffam3434]

Cant wait to see the Finished Product!! Keep coming with Updates!!

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Well im now being convinced these 18w t5s just don't come in what I want...good brand names
For starters.

Options I am now considering: metal halide/t5 combo or LED. I have time. Still got to cycle the rocks when I cure them of being...dry.

 

[calvo15290]

They have 18 wat it's 1ft

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Where calvo??? U may just be a life saver

 

[SeymourDuncan]

Alright so I'm doing a temperature test on my frag tank with a single palythoa...it was in my sump so I figured hey...lets see what's up with this whole temp swing thing
No heater at all, so far this morning the temp was 74.9 and now it is 76.5. This will likely cause a slower growth rate but at least ill know that it won't kill them while I get my room more controlled. Its easier for me to keep a room one temp them small amounts of water, at least that's how my 29g was that was in the living room. Stayed 77.7 for 8 months straight with no heater!

 

[calvo15290]

 

[calvo15290]

It's 2bulbs

 

[SeymourDuncan]

I have a fixture, just need the bulbs replaced. Where you get yours?

 

[calvo15290]

Yes