Seamor's Frag Tank

[Seamore]

Here is the build and progress thread for my frag tank.
I drew up the plans for the frag tank a few months back and tweeked it untill I felt it would serve the purpose. Dimentions are 3'x2'x1' 45G with an external weir box fed by a coast to coast surface skimmer. There are two 1" bulkheads for drains in the weir (and plenty room for more if I go crazy) that will be treates to DIY Dursos. There are also two 1" returnes at each end od the surface skimming area. The tank yields a 6 square foot footprint for frags growing space. The tank was ordered from Coral Corral a LFS that I am fortunate to live near. It is made od 1/4" acrylic with round front corners, round corners on the weir box and a one peice eurobrace reinforcing both the tank and weir box. The execution of the tank plans exceeded my expectation and I have what I think is a good starting point for this project.

Here is the tank on 1/16/09 with some protective film still in place:





After the tank arrived it was suggested that the den would be a great room to house the tank and other reef related gear. I swallowed the (room makeover) bait, hook line and sinker, so here is the pre-tank room build which included removing the content of the room, removing the carpet, pad, tack strip, then paint, vapor barrier, and flooring. We should be able to finish the flooring tomorrow and will update the progress. (Sorry about the spots, dust on the lens?) Trusty supervisor Lacy, on hand to make sure the job is done right.

[OneDummHikk]

Instead of the Dursos, have you considered a Hofer Gurgle Buster?
http://home.everestkc.net/jrobertson57268/HGB/

[Seamore]

I have seen them online but never used one, I built dursos for my 75G and they have been quiet so far. Are you using the HGB, Randy? Do you like them and I hope your surgery goes well and your back improves. I'll be asking lots of questions once I get to the tank build itself and I appreciate your input, I want to build it once correctly.

[OneDummHikk]

I hadn't seen them before I emptied my tanks out. The 75 that has all my stuff in it has a durso in it. I want to try them on my nano tank (scaled down of course) because its going in my bedroom. I have another link somewhere to a drain design that is supposed to be "dead silent and fail-safe" that I have also been wanting to try out.
http://www.beananimal.com/projects/s...ow-system.aspx

[Seamore]

Seen this one too and have been toying with the siphon idea on a primary with a durso for the secondary(backup), the only problem is that at full siphon a 1" drain will probably out run the return pump I am planning on using (Mag 7) and suck air braking the siphon. I won't be sleeping in the den so the kiss rule is also in effect. The missing part of my puzzle is the sump/fuge. I have a Euroreef 80, and about 35-40 lbs of fully cured/colonized LR both from my 37G reef I will be taking down. The frag tank and sump/fuge will be BB, the skim will be in the overflow deposite area then the rock then the return, but I'm having a hard time fitting it all in the 36" I have planed. I have the option of a two tank sump/fuge but as before rather keep it simple. Still pondering.

[OneDummHikk]

Would a 30 breeder fit in the stand for it? Or, do you already have a tank you are trying to use for the sump? The 30 breeder has enough front-to-back dimension to it that you have more room for baffles and be able to split things up even though its still only a 36" tank. And you are right, 36" isn't a lot of room in a sump tank.

[Seamore]

I have been eyeing a 30L (is that the same) at the LFS, it's the footprint of the skimmer and the hight of the LR when it is not all on the bottom that creates the dillema. If I stack the rock then the water level may be to high for the skimmer to work optimaly or the lowest water level will be too high to hold the overflow when the power goes out (yes when not if). Going to take a long look at it today and see if the 30 would work. Starting to think I may not use all the LR, Bioload will be minimal, one or two wrasses for pest patrol, snails and a very small tang I have made arrangements to grow out and trade back for another small one when needed. Well I'm getting ahead of myself, off to finish the floor, keep the ideas coming.

[OneDummHikk]

I'm not sure if they are the same or not. The breeder is listed as being 36 3/16 x18 1/4 x 12 15/16. The 40 breeder is the same footprint but 4" taller and may work better for you. I wondered why you needed all the live rock as well. If it got to be too much for the sump, you could always put a few of the pieces in the frag tank itself if you needed the filtration from it.

Good luck with getting the floor finished today.

[VWD]

I'm just waiting on the water, LOL


Lets get some water in that frag tank.

[Antdizzle]

very nice frag tank jose, Ive fired mine back up with a renewed ambition

[Loverotties]

Can't waite to see pics of it up and running!

[biowheel]

Hey is that thing running yet ?

[Seamore]

Well the room is 90% done some molding yet to go, but now that the room is done I will start focusing on the wetter stuff as everyone including myself is eagerly awaiting. Here are some pics of finishing of the bench which I decided to build first and use to make cutting the floorboards easier, the floor and the tank in the room with 2 of the three lights on it. As you can tell it was warm last weekend in Fl. I have to add the shelf on the bottom of the bench, decide on the sump, buy some plumming parts, and add water. I know it's not what you want to see but it will be soon. Thanks for the ideas along the way.

[biowheel]

Room looks great . Any pictures are good . We are all out here wondering and waiting to see "any" progress !!

[aquawolf]

Don't worry, once mama is happy then Seamore will be able to play again and be happy as well.

Hi Ant!