frag tank?

[pepper815]

well its my first one and i plan 2 use 2 tubs
and build a custom stand 4 them.......... any input.... its my 1st diy

[OneDummHikk]

What size frag tank are you wanting to setup? You can get stock tanks at 100 gallons each fairly cheap from somewhere like Tractor Supply Company. Or, try finding an outside fish pond type setup that was as large as you wanted. Or a kiddie pool. 5-6' diameter, 8-12" deep would make an awesome frag tank.

When figuring out what you want to use though, remember that you have to light it so try to stay with sizes that lend themselves to being easily lit with standard lighting fixtures/dimensions.

[pepper815]

http://images.hardwareandtools.com/P/u600114.jpg
this is what i wanted 2 use it will be 2 of these ....... i want to build a stand for it as well

[OneDummHikk]

Those would make a good frag setup. What are the dimensions of them?

[pepper815]

Product Description
36`` x 24`` x 8`` Black Plastic Utility Tub, 6.1 CUFT Capacity, Ribbed Sides For Reinforcement, Can Be Drilled

i would just link them by piping with the filtration or something..... what do u think

[wanareef]

If it were me doing this, I would make a "bunk" meaning have them stacked on on top of the other but leaving enough room for me to work on them and have lights.

Then you could just have the flow drain from the top one into the 2nd one then into a sump where you have your skimmer and whatever and then a return pump back to the top one. Have the flow come in on one side and make it travel across the tank and out the other side. You'll have to balance out the flow between the two frag tanks. And if you place the stand with one end toward the wall, (the short end) you can work from either side of the tank and have full accessibility from either side. Just an idea if you have some room.

Need pix's when you get this running.

[Jadinop]

Given the 2ft width, I would run them side by side with a set of 4ft light fixtures going across the two tanks. Depending on what you are trying to grow, you may be able to get away with some regular NO flourescents or a few T5HO.

[aquawolf]

That would be a very nice frag setup. I also like the idea of the bunk design. Be sure to post lots of pictures as you get this plan in action.

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by pepper815

Product Description
36`` x 24`` x 8`` Black Plastic Utility Tub, 6.1 CUFT Capacity, Ribbed Sides For Reinforcement, Can Be Drilled

i would just link them by piping with the filtration or something..... what do u think

I would try to find one a little taller. With it 8" tall, you are going to be in the 5-6" range of water depth. If you could find one a little taller, it would let you get a little more water depth in the tank.

I agree with Jason about the lights. 48" T5'es are easier to setup and maintain than the shorter setups. If you ran 24 or 36 bulbs, you would be replacing a lot more bulbs each time and the bulbs typically run about the same price (within a few dollars) and that alone makes the 48" a better option.

The stacked tanks, while a neat idea, might end up causing you issues. You would have lights mounted directly underneath the upper tank. What if that tank developed a leak? You would also have limited work area over the top of it. Keep them side by side and avoid all of that. And, if they aren't stacked, it makes it easier to build a removable light setup to make getting into the tank easier.