Frag Tank Build

[Reefer1225]

Just bought a Advanced Acyllic Frag tank measuring 22x22x12 (25 gallons) on CL. External overflow, single drain, two return holes drilled. Pics below.

I wish it was black instead of white, but hey beggers can't be choosers.
So, I am planning to just plumb it to my DT. Not sure how yet, but open to suggestions on how. I was thinking 1. Frag Tank Drain to Sump, Another Return Pump in Sump back to Frag Tank (only have a Mag9 return pump to my 90 gallon DT, don't want to split it) 2. Buy an External Overflow Connect it to DT to drain to Frag Tank, Frag Tank Drain to DT Sump. Let me know if anyone has any other ideas on how to do this.
Here are old pics of my DT for reference on how to do this

This will be an ongoing project for the next couple of months b/c I need to save up. So, here is a list of things I need if anyone knows where I can find:
1. Stand - Building one is not an option b/c I suck at that and don't have any tools. I want a nice black one to hopefully match my display stand. If anyone knows where I can find one or has one for sale, I would appreciate it. Again, the tank's foot print is 22x22x12.
2. Return Pump (Option 1) - Let me know what is a good return pump for this sized tank. There will be some head loss even though I'll be putting them side by side. See my sump pic. Drain (Left), Refugium (Middle), Skimmer/Return Pump/Reactor Pump all taking up space in (Right Chamber) (not a lot of room). Note - that there are two holes in the frag tank for the return, so the flow will be split.
3. External Overflow (Option 2) - Is this even an option? Can I put one of those external overflows off my DT and just gravity feed my frag tank? If it is, what overflow is recommended
4. Lighting - Debating between AI Sol Nano or Kessil A350w. I have AI Sol Blues in my 90 Display, so leaning towards AI.
5. Durso Pipe for Frag Tank Drain & Plumbing Supplies & Loc Lines for return
6. Black frag rack or those Clear ceramic frag rack. Should I tier the racks, or just one big flat rack across whole thing? How high should be the rack?
7. I am going to put my MP10 in the frag tank that is in my DT. So, I will likely buy a MP40 to replace the MP10 in my DT eventually.
8. Most frag tanks I see are barebottom? Any benefit to putting a few live rocks in there? I have a lot of extra in my sump.
Anything else I am missing that I need to buy?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks all.

 

[j.p. harrington]

wow that tank looks sweet you will like the white! trust me ive got a little custom glass tank that i painted the sides back and bottom white and even have the front trimmed out in some white with black eggcrate for frag rack and everything POPS in there like you want it.

also its super bright with the way i painted mine im bleaching SPS with 4 bulb t5 13" above the water with the frags another 9" under the surface

 

[Reefer1225]

Thanks, JP. Maybe the white will grow on me. Where do you get large size black eggcrate? Any recommendations on how to plumb this to my DT?

 

[revsgirl]

Great set up!!

 

[j.p. harrington]

BRS sells 24x24" pieces of black eggcrate but i do no a guy that just got several sheets of i think 4x8 sheets of black not sure what it would cost to ship as he is in NC but with your tank dimensions i would think the 2x2 sheet from BRS would be perfect.

as for plumbing it into your existing display what i would personally do is just run an extra return pump or tee of your return pump to feed the frang tank and just run your drain back into your sump from the frag tank

 

[Reefer1225]

Awesome. Thanks JP. Need to find a stand 1st, then plumb, and save up $ for lights and powerhead.

 

[SPSkeeper]

I wish it was black instead of white, but hey beggers can't be choosers.

Actually you will get better light output with white as it reflects light while black absorbs it, depending on what frags you are going with. Awesome looking tank, great job with the build and everything.

 

[impur]

Thats a sweet frag tank! I would plumb one of the drains from your DT to drain into the frag tank, then the frag tank drain into the sump. If you can't do that, i would T off the return pump and have it go to the frag tank, which then drains into the sump. This is actually how I have my frag tank plumbed. You won't need a lot of flow from the return pump to go to the frag tank. Mines doing probably 50-100gph to the frag tank and its been working great for a little over a year.

 

[uall8up]

WOW...looks amazing! Thank you for posting, it is helping me with my own build of a sump!!

 

[psionicdragon]

looks good! kind of remind me of a toilet because of the back overflow ha

 

[Reefer1225]

Thanks for the feedback, everybody. I guess a white frag tank isn't all that bad. It just stands out in the room next to my black DT. I am planning on keeping my zoa and sps frags to grow out in there.

In regards to plumbing, I am probably just going to buy another smaller pump to return back to the frag tank. I have an extra Maxijet1200 laying around. Do you think that's strong enough for a return? I don't want to split my DT return pump (Mag 9) as I think the flow is already weak running to the DT. I hard plumb my DT drain, and don't want to mess with it.

My "toilet" frag tank will be sitting for a while until I save up enough cash to buy everything, but I will update this thread when there are developments.

 

[bbandu]

With only a 295 GPH I am not sure that the Maxi-jet 1200 will give you enough GPH to use as a return pump. Because you are going to loose some of that because of the 3 - 4 feet of head you are going to have.

 

[Reefer1225]

With only a 295 GPH I am not sure that the Maxi-jet 1200 will give you enough GPH to use as a return pump. Because you are going to loose some of that because of the 3 - 4 feet of head you are going to have.

Yeah, I figured it won't be enough. Will need a bigger pump.

Anyone know where I can buy a cube aquarium stand? I know people will recommend building one, but I am not that handy, don't have the tools or time to do so. So, I would rather purchase or pay someone to build. Checked with my LFS, but everyone says it will need to be custom made. Footprint is 22x22x12. I see a lot of cube tanks 24x24, so they must make stands that fit that. Just don't know where to look.

 

[SPSkeeper]

Google will be your best tool to find a decent stand. There are some on Amazon but unfortunately you cannot call anyone to find out the dimensions of the actual surface area, but here is what turned up(good luck) -

Google

 

[SPSkeeper]

Never mind, here is exactly what you are looking for -

Stand For Solana 34 Gal System Espresso

[h=4]22"x22"x32"H[/h]http://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalog/stand-for-solana-34-gal-system-espresso-p-59394.html

 

[SPSjunky]

thats looks awesome

 

[Reefer1225]

Never mind, here is exactly what you are looking for -

Stand For Solana 34 Gal System Espresso

Thanks, been googling all afternoon. Haha. Already saw that and these
Stand Ventura Series 24x24 Black
Walmart.com: Acrylic Cube Aquarium Stand: Fish

All pretty pricey. I think it cost more than my 90 gallon stand. Go figure. I asked a LFS about building me one and am waiting for a quote. If worse comes to worse, will go with these options. Thanks for looking out SPS!

 

[bbandu]

Do not forget that you might be able to find a piece of furniture that you can use as a stand. I have seen several people use other things as fish tank stands.

 

[ChoxRox]

Do not forget that you might be able to find a piece of furniture that you can use as a stand. I have seen several people use other things as fish tank stands.

True, but you need to be careful about this. And sometimes it's cheaper to just buy a stand than spend your time looking around for something different

 

[SPSkeeper]

Thanks, been googling all afternoon. Haha. Already saw that and these
Stand Ventura Series 24x24 Black
Walmart.com: Acrylic Cube Aquarium Stand: Fish

All pretty pricey. I think it cost more than my 90 gallon stand. Go figure. I asked a LFS about building me one and am waiting for a quote. If worse comes to worse, will go with these options. Thanks for looking out SPS!

Hey no problem. You might be able to find a local hobbyist in your area on your reef club website to build you a custom stand for a reasonable price. Never hurts to ask. Good luck, can't wait to see what you do with it.