Kmore1219's super cheap extremely DIY frag tank

[Kmore1219]

Like my title says I am going for as cheap as possible and as DIY as possible for this thing. Why would I be insane and possibly dumb enough to do such a thing? Well because I have too much free time on my hands, also to show that if it all goes right even the most broke college students can still enjoy the hobby.
What started this adventure was seeing all of these empty rubbermaid boxes siting in my garage. Having the reefer madness that I do the first thing that came to my mind was FRAG TANK (Use the term tank very loosely).
First thing I did with them was give them a nice vinegar bath to get whatever nasty stuff was festering in there out. I decided that I'm going to put one inside the other for safety reasons as this whole project will most likely go super wrong and get a leak at some point. Better to be prepared for disaster than expect perfection.

Next up was finding a nice stand to put it on, luckily I had a DIY one sitting in my room waiting to have this bad boy placed on top of it.

In my garage I had a nice bucket of the random fish goodies we all have but never use, in here I found the heater I am going to use and some other goodies (a full bottle of reef chili at the bottom).


Sadly I did not have everything that I needed for the tank such as powerhead or lights so I had to painfully open my wallet and buy what I could get my hands on, this lead to me getting a nice $10 Sunsun powerhead and buying a secondhand T5 light. Photos of these to come once they arrive at my door.

Now for the setup, I chose this wall in my room since we had an outlet installed high up already which I can plug the light into and one right underneath for the powerhead and heater.

Stay tuned for my next update where I steal a shelf from my laundry room to hang the light off of and attempt to get this piece of work wet.

 

[sbash]

Nice!

I used one of these tubs for a long time as a frag tank. It worked well for actual small frags (i.e. on plugs type size); however when I need to store some larger colonies it was not deep enough; although yours look a bit deeper than mine.

One challenge I did have, being that these tubs are not designed for water, the sides will start to push out when you fill it with water (does that make sense?). So I just drilled a hole in the trim (in the centre) and ran a few chained-together zip ties through. This allowed me to adjust accordingly, while still providing the structural support I needed.

 

[Kmore1219]

Nice!

I used one of these tubs for a long time as a frag tank. It worked well for actual small frags (i.e. on plugs type size); however when I need to store some larger colonies it was not deep enough; although yours look a bit deeper than mine.

One challenge I did have, being that these tubs are not designed for water, the sides will start to push out when you fill it with water (does that make sense?). So I just drilled a hole in the trim (in the centre) and ran a few chained-together zip ties through. This allowed me to adjust accordingly, while still providing the structural support I needed.

Smart! I was hoping doubling them up would somewhat strengthen it so it doesn't bow out as much but I may also take your idea and make a nice zip tie chain.

 

[sbash]

Smart! I was hoping doubling them up would somewhat strengthen it so it doesn't bow out as much but I may also take your idea and make a nice zip tie chain.

Doubling them up will definitely help... But if I see two tubs, I see twice the frags... hehehe...

 

[sromero287]

Excellent idea @Kmore1219, can't wait to see them finished!!!
Congratulations [emoji106][emoji225][emoji886]

 

[Mandrew]

I was considering a plastic tote frag set up myself. I'll have to stay tuned to see how it goes for you.

 

[EW_Fish]

Smart! I was hoping doubling them up would somewhat strengthen it so it doesn't bow out as much but I may also take your idea and make a nice zip tie chain.

Other ideas also instead of zip ties you could try some thin wire thats wrapped so it dosnt rust may give it a cleaner look

 

[Kmore1219]

Other ideas also instead of zip ties you could try some thin wire thats wrapped so it dosnt rust may give it a cleaner look

That sounds good too and a lot quicker

 

[Kmore1219]

Also if anyone has any frag tank DIY they've been thinking of testing out but never get around to it, let me know and I'll test it for you!

 

[nkyreef]

I use a 48 quart cooler to mix/keep new saltwater. I put a 150w glass heater horizontal on the bottom. The heater didn't last a week before it failed. Most can only be installed vertical. This is cool idea though. I may need to do something like this if I'm lucky enough to run out of room in the DT.

 

[Kmore1219]

I use a 48 quart cooler to mix/keep new saltwater. I put a 150w glass heater horizontal on the bottom. The heater didn't last a week before it failed. Most can only be installed vertical. This is cool idea though. I may need to do something like this if I'm lucky enough to run out of room in the DT.

Thanks for the insight, looks like I may have to invest in a new heater down the line

 

[sbash]

I use a 48 quart cooler to mix/keep new saltwater. I put a 150w glass heater horizontal on the bottom. The heater didn't last a week before it failed. Most can only be installed vertical. This is cool idea though. I may need to do something like this if I'm lucky enough to run out of room in the DT.

This is valuable information. What kind of heater was it and what failed exactly? Most of my heaters are horizontal, only one that still has a working thermostat.

 

[nkyreef]

This is valuable information. What kind of heater was it and what failed exactly? Most of my heaters are horizontal, only one that still has a working thermostat.

It was actually a 50w. It left a burn mark and rust on the bottom of the container. I didn't read the instructions (imagine that). There was a warning against mounting in horizontally. Most replacements I looked at suggested vertical orientation.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0054...Thermostat&dpPl=1&dpID=51B6H0Ht6yL&ref=plSrch

 

[CoralWealth]

following along.

 

[Maddlesrain]

Just a fellow broke college student tagging along for the ride!(;

 

[Kmore1219]

My main goal is to make as good of a cheap system as possible for all the broke college students that are out there lol

 

[Kmore1219]

So the first mistake has been made, I ordered powerheads thinking about the flow in my 125 gallon tank and ended up buying the ones with the power for that and not the power for my little frag tank. Good thing was they were amazon purchases so I went to return them and found out they are one of the items where you can get a refund without returning the item, so essentially I accidentally ordered free powerheads. Anyways I've Got the correct one coming in on Saturday. So far this tank has cost me about $50.

 

[sbash]

So the first mistake has been made, I ordered powerheads thinking about the flow in my 125 gallon tank and ended up buying the ones with the power for that and not the power for my little frag tank. Good thing was they were amazon purchases so I went to return them and found out they are one of the items where you can get a refund without returning the item, so essentially I accidentally ordered free powerheads. Anyways I've God the correct one coming in on Saturday. So far this tank has cost me about $50.

Oh great! I am curious to know how well these SunSun JVP-110s work. I want to add a couple to my frag tank!

 

[Kmore1219]

Oh great! I am curious to know how well these SunSun JVP-110s work. I want to add a couple to my frag tank!

I'm putting one in shortly so we will see if it blows all the water right out!

 

[Kmore1219]

Powerhead is in and it is the perfect amount of flow I feel. One thing I can't wait for is how easy it is going to be to take photos of the corals now.