Frag tank build

[WIReefer]

Okay guys I just built my stand the other day and went to menards last night to get my plumbing and tools excited to get this rolling and start cycling it! I will be plumbing a bean animal style into a 32 gallon brute container total water volume will be around 50 gallons. Any pointers will do just thought I would share. Mostly using this to QT corals.

 

[WIReefer]

Here are some pics

 

[WIReefer]

Am going to run a float valve right into container from RO/DI unit for an auto top off so I don’t have to worry about salinity.

 

[Mr Fishface]

Looks great so far! Can't wait to see it all set up and finished!

Do you have any questions? Looks like you got a good hold on things so far. I have my own frag tank next to my DT that I have plumbed into the same sump.

 

[don_chuwish]

Am going to run a float valve right into container from RO/DI unit for an auto top off so I don’t have to worry about salinity.

Better to have a large container that the RO/DI fills up, then top off from that. You don't want your RO/DI unit making constant small amounts of water. You can have a float valve in the bottom of the container to tell the RO unit when to refill.

 

[WIReefer]

Looks great so far! Can't wait to see it all set up and finished!

Do you have any questions? Looks like you got a good hold on things so far. I have my own frag tank next to my DT that I have plumbed into the same sump.

I’m curious on how to connect my pvc to the tank for the drain

 

[Mr Fishface]

I’m curious on how to connect my pvc to the tank for the drain

Is the tank drilled? It looks like i can see an overrlow box. There should either be a hole or a fitting of some type coming off the tank. Of you can get a picture that would help know what type of fitting you have. Basically some have threads for pvc and some are slip fittings for flex pipe.

 

[WIReefer]

Is the tank drilled? It looks like i can see an overrlow box. There should either be a hole or a fitting of some type coming off the tank. Of you can get a picture that would help know what type of fitting you have. Basically some have threads for pvc and some are slip fittings for flex pipe.

Nope not drilled I will be drilling it it has a little sump in back of tank but I want to add filtration.

 

[Mr Fishface]

Nope not drilled I will be drilling it it has a little sump in back of tank but I want to add filtration.

Ahhh ok. Makes sense now. What you want is a bulkhead after you drill your hole. Something like this https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulkhead-abs-thread-x-thread.html

Just depends if you want hard pvc or flex pipe going to the bucket. Im guesding hard pvc. You csn get bulkheads that are threaded or slip x slip, the one i shared just happens to be threaded. Ill post pictures of my frag tank in just a sec so you can see.

 

[WIReefer]

Ahhh ok. Makes sense now. What you want is a bulkhead after you drill your hole. Something like this https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulkhead-abs-thread-x-thread.html

Just depends if you want hard pvc or flex pipe going to the bucket. Im guesding hard pvc. You csn get bulkheads that are threaded or slip x slip, the one i shared just happens to be threaded. Ill post pictures of my frag tank in just a sec so you can see.

I’m at the store currently getting some fitting to put in the acrylic to hold the pvc pipe!

 

[Mr Fishface]

Here is a picture of the inside of my tank where the hole is drilled. it is covered with a makeshift screen I made to keep my boxfish from falling into the drain. Yours will be nicer as it has an overflow.

And here is what it looks like looking from the top down. You can see where the black bulkhead comes out and connects to my pvc, then I have a 90 degree fitting that connects to pipe.

 

[Mr Fishface]

I’m at the store currently getting some fitting to put in the acrylic to hold the pvc pipe!

Make sure you get something that has a rubber ring around it to keep water from getting through the cracks! I bought mine from a new lfs that opened up, cost me about $10 per bulkhead. I tried skimping and just using aquarium sealant with pvc and it did NOT work at all! My advice is don't skimp on the bulkhead part.

 

[WIReefer]

Make sure you get something that has a rubber ring around it to keep water from getting through the cracks! I bought mine from a new lfs that opened up, cost me about $10 per bulkhead. I tried skimping and just using aquarium sealant with pvc and it did NOT work at all! My advice is don't skimp on the bulkhead part.

I just bought some bulkheads going to make my life easier anyways lol

 

[WIReefer]

Make sure you get something that has a rubber ring around it to keep water from getting through the cracks! I bought mine from a new lfs that opened up, cost me about $10 per bulkhead. I tried skimping and just using aquarium sealant with pvc and it did NOT work at all! My advice is don't skimp on the bulkhead part.
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Any advice on drilling acrylic?

 

[Mr Fishface]

I just bought some bulkheads going to make my life easier anyways lol

Good to hear! I promise they are very much worth the price and its so much better to just go the right way, the first time. I learned that the hard way and spent hours trying to do things the wrong way.

 

[Mr Fishface]

I do not have any advice personally, my tanks are all glass. But check this video and see if it helps. I love this guy and watch a lot of his videos, he does a real good job with things.

 

[WIReefer]

Got her all plumbed will let everything dry over night and fill tomorrow will post pictures soon!

 

[WIReefer]

Just ordered the new prime 16 led light and hanging mounting kit for the tank should be a great addition and I will start cycling the tank!

 

[WIReefer]

Okay guys tank is all plumbed currently running water through it now with no leaks! Now that I will be starting my cycle what is the best way to do so I will be putting about 75-100 poounds if live rock in brute container what should I also use for filtration?

 

[WIReefer]

So here’s the light on guys got her flowing water through her now!