Zoo Med Frag Tank build idea

[Bryn]

Well good day everyone,

Looking to build a shallow beginners SPS frag tank, and looking for ANY, good bad or indifferent comments, suggestions, critics.

This build will be around the Zoo Med 50g Low Boy frag tank. So first, need to decide the best way to make this reef ready.

1. Should I drill the base in the corner or,
2. Drill the back with an overflow box.

Reason I choose this tank is that it will fit on a Petco metal stand which are about $50

Next I'm going to match this up with a 20G Long from Petco as a sump. So any suggestions on the best way to setup a sump on a 20G Long.

That's it for now, look forward to any help.

 

[VSVP bet]

Step one would be to determine if the panels are tempered. As far as plumbing, bottom or sides is fine, really depends on how you want to situate the tank.

 

[User]

Option 2.

Simply because I heard from a guy that heard from a guy that the base was tempered. Although ZooMed says otherwise.

I’m putting a box in a short side of the same tank after Christmas.

Nice avatar. I’m from Abergavenny originally.

 

[Bryn]

Steel Worker from Llanwern Steel works Newport. Had a friend who owned a pub in Clydach, spent many an hour there. Rest of family from west Wales. Small world now.

 

[Bryn]

Step one would be to determine if the panels are tempered. As far as plumbing, bottom or sides is fine, really depends on how you want to situate the tank.

Supposed to be non tempered, but as @neilp2006 said, who knows. Had crossed my mind, but can check at the LFS before I buy.

 

[User]

Cwmbran, pontypool and Merthyr Tydfal represent!!!

Been in US for 10 years now, but my dad’s side is all around pontypool.

 

[Bryn]

Tramped all over that area. I think Cwmbran had the first drive through McDonalds . I left back in the 80's, not much left for me now, most have died. Mind you, I could kill for some Black Pudding, and bacon, plus a decent pint of Brains SA.

 

[Kyl]

Step one would be to determine if the panels are tempered. As far as plumbing, bottom or sides is fine, really depends on how you want to situate the tank.

My LFS just drilled 10 of those tanks through the bottom panel, so at least that portion is not tempered.

 

[User]

Man, the things I’d do for black pudding and real f’ing bacon defy logic

 

[User]

My LFS just drilled 10 of those tanks through the bottom panel, so at least that portion is not tempered.

People said the same about aqueon 29g tanks...

Check first, I’d say

 

[Pntbll687]

Option 2.

Simply because I heard from a guy that heard from a guy that the base was tempered. Although ZooMed says otherwise.

I’m putting a box in a short side of the same tank after Christmas.

Nice avatar. I’m from Abergavenny originally.

I just emailed the rep from Zoomed. I'll let everyone know what the answer is as soon as he gets back to me.

 

[Pntbll687]

People said the same about aqueon 29g tanks...

Check first, I’d say

There was a time in the last year and a half where both aqueon and perfecto were using tempered glass because of shortages of what they normally use. The marineland/perfecto ones at least had a big orange sticker that said tempered on it.

 

[Bryn]

@Pntbll687 that just looks like my nightmare. Will be interested in the reply to your email.

Thanks @Kyl I had considered asking my LFS if they would do that.

 

[User]

There was a time in the last year and a half where both aqueon and perfecto were using tempered glass because of shortages of what they normally use. The marineland/perfecto ones at least had a big orange sticker that said tempered on it.

Yeah- I was one of the first people they actually admitted that nonsense to.

They couldn’t even track which tanks or assembly persons were using all tempered. And no stickers, either.
Ridiculous

That tank had 4 tempered panels

 

[Pntbll687]

Yeah- I was one of the first people they actually admitted that nonsense to.

They couldn’t even track which tanks or assembly persons were using all tempered. And no stickers, either.
Ridiculous

That tank had 4 tempered panels

The only reason I know is because I work in distribution and we get a heads up from the manufacturers SOMETIMES.

Just got the email back from zoomed rep. The tanks are non tempered and can be drilled on any side. All warranties are void by doing so.

 

[Bryn]

Thanks @Pntbll687 for the update.

Now I'm looking at this eBay sump kit. from this person. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Triton-Ref...438524?hash=item25f7b22a3c:g:UxgAAOSwNA1bCyuT

$94.99 + $13.00 shipping

 

[rhastareefer]

Well good day everyone,

This build will be around the Zoo Med 50g Low Boy frag tank. So first, need to decide the best way to make this reef ready.

Reason I choose this tank is that it will fit on a Petco metal stand which are about $50



That's it for now, look forward to any help.

Sorry, but could you point me to where you found a stand that will fit a 48" x 24" footprint? I only see the 40g and 55g stands on Pecto's site and neither are big enough. I'm also getting ready to start a very similar project. Thanks.

 

[Bryn]

Sorry, but could you point me to where you found a stand that will fit a 48" x 24" footprint? I only see the 40g and 55g stands on Pecto's site and neither are big enough. I'm also getting ready to start a very similar project. Thanks.

Sorry I screwed up, that fits a 40G Breeder, not the Zoo Med 50G Low Boy Frag Tank. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

 

[User]

Sorry I screwed up, that fits a 40G Breeder, not the Zoo Med 50G Low Boy Frag Tank. Thanks for pointing that out to me.

That would have sucked.

Good catch

 

[pompeyjohn]

'sup butty. Tidy tank that.

My LFS use them and have holes in all panels. I'd drill the base, so you can have the tank closer to a wall.