Ray's Frag-a-lious Tank Build

[RaysReef]

That was a tongue twister, :tongue:

1st off- Frag tank was made by reefmania *Bob the builder* It is a 4ft x 2ft x 1ft w/Center back overflow and corner returns w/center dividers. I'm going to be using Uni-seals instead of bulkheads.

Stand being built as we speak, planning on using laminate top and water-sealing all the wood pieces and using magnets as my cover trims for easy access below instead of screws and nails. *Should be fun*

 

[RaysReef]

The tank is about 66G and my sump below will be 100G. Once I finalize the equipments that I'll be using I will list it. *Oh so exciting* WEEEeeee *A kid in a candy store*

 

[softiegirl]

NICE! (im jealous) :squigglemouth: :bigsmile:

 

[RaysReef]

I'm working on getting LEDs as my lighting, I hope it all works out, I would love to try these suckers out and see how they compare to MH and T5.

 

[RaysReef]

update: Frag tank painted except the front. I'm still high on fumes, lol

 

[McD57]

very nice looking frag tank!

 

[RaysReef]

very nice looking frag tank!

Thanks McD, I hope to get my stand soon!

 

[SeaSlug]

Very nice looking frag tank , almost to nice for frags , I was thinking it would make an awesome clam tank . LOL

 

[RaysReef]

Very nice looking frag tank , almost to nice for frags , I was thinking it would make an awesome clam tank . LOL

I previously had a 180g and it was to big...I can't even reach the bottom of the tank, lol. So I decided to have a shallow setup. So this frag tank is actually going to be also my display/main tank as well. I might even use my 100g sump to hold colonies while the main tank above will be my "gardening, pruning and growing my corals" area. I plan on having one half of it with a deep sand bed (reason for the divider) with LPS/Zoas and the other half with acros and sps w/more flow.

 

[RaysReef]

A fellow reefer friend is building my stand as we speak. Here is the trim and color combo we are doing. The front are just panels not doors. THey will be attached by magnets for quick connect and release to get into the sump.

 

[JuniorMC8704]

Looks great! Bob is the best. Ive got a whole list of things that are either built or being built by him.

 

[RaysReef]

Update:

Stand in progress

 

[RaysReef]

Hey All, I'm finishing my plumbing for my setup and wanted to share this method for overflow. This is a very easy DIY and also is a space saver compared to the Durso method (can take up alot of space with the bend)
The Hofer Gurgle Buster (HGB) reduces the gurgles and noise.
Here is all the materials you need.
1" x 1.5" bushing
1.5" coupler
1" cap
1"- 5-6" long PVC Pipe
1/2" drill Bit
1/4" drill Bit or a rotory drill will work

Connect the bushing and coupler together (Sand bushing on the 1" *shown on next pic* end so that the entire 1" PVC pipe will go through smoothly but still has some resistance)

Next drill 1/2" 5 holes in the middle to upper of the 5-6" PVC

Connect the bushing/coupler with the 1" drilled PVC pipe

Drill a hole big enough for the air tube on the 1" Cap

Insert airtube half way through.

Insert the entire assembly to the bulkhead

Cover with 1" cap with airtube about 1.5" above cap and about 3" below inside the 1" PVC pipe.

Finished results: I'm running 2 HGB overflows

 

[ahayes13]

very cool. coming along very nicely ....

 

[Midwest Frags]

Very cool! It looks like you are going to have a great setup!

Matt

 

[RaysReef]

Thanks Amanda & Matt. Wait until you see the DIY sump, lol

 

[Mallard]

Very nice build so far, I'll be following along.

 

[RaysReef]

Update on Plumbing:

R/O water is filling as we speak. Did a quick freshwater test and so far everything is tight and no leaks.

Sump- 50G Rubbermaid/ will be adding side baffles with over the top flow. Will be using as a refugium and holding tank for certain frags.

1st section- Cheato
2nd section- Pump/Skimmer section SWC 160 extreme
3rd section- LR rubbles *optional UV Sterilizer* still debating (18" x 12" section for certain frags)

Hayward Bulkheads with sch80 PVC

Originally I was planning on adding a valve in between to redirect flow but just decided to make it simple *Less is more* concept.

return pump is inbetween the PVC and against the back of the sump. *good fit, without much vibration*

Full shot of plumbing *very straight forward*

Back part of return into the tank

So in reality I have 2 frag tank setup up top and below. =)

 

[RaysReef]

Forgot to mention, I will also be running a carbon/GFO reactor in a R/O type canister. Just trying to figure out where to place it

 

[RaysReef]

Update:

Water Test