Frag tank/ qt build
 

I have been wanting needing a frag tank / quarantine tank. So now is the time I get it done.

I am designing it to be an all in one system in order to reduce the need for sump. This way if it's not in use I can tuck it away easy enough without too much if a dismantle process.

The tank: water home 32g (acquired from abandoned rental property)
Pump: maxi jet 1200
Lighting: undetermined for now factory hood
Frag racks: either egg crate or custom acrylic design

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...91F474BA58.jpg

Ideally I'd love to add the filtration to the back of the tank but I'm fairly positive the tank is tempered glass so it will have to do for now

This is the rough draw for the design sorry about the cell phone pics of pc screen I got lazy

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...ACA773534F.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...A01B873422.jpg

Progress report

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...494780BE2D.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...4058C05215.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...366B1761BF.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...696DFB09CA.jpg

There was a mishap cutting the overflow notch but since it's up high and my tank not for anyone else I just glued the miss break back on and reinforced it... Won't be seen anyways after acrylic is in place...

Next step acrylic overflow and paint overflow area. plumbing then water test and design stand

Couldn't find black acrylic today so white it is which is ok got the plumbing hooked up as well so water test tonight

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...D252AAA6B0.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...35E0690266.jpg

Look at you just building things left, right and centre, nice work!

I was thinking of doing something similar. Now I have something to copy, thanks!

That is pretty sweet

I have a habit of building what I need lol or want my other build threads are proof of that

By all means copy away still have to build the filtration basket out of acrylic

Last update until i decide to build the stand

A couple issues I have to address

Overflow teeth too narrow water level too high in display.
Outlet for return leaks a bit.
Water level drops to much in display drilled it a bit too low.

Other than that no leaks of great importance

Last few pics

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...558700CDDC.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...C2F6ED13A0.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...264613CFF7.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...548768CFBA.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...7A95A2DE42.jpg

I wussed out on the stand this time and had Martha make it for me. By the time I built it it would have cost me more than this bench. And when not in use as a stand it will be a bench lol... Will fill with water next water change

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...615FF7D00F.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...60EFACD76A.jpg

Great job Jeff

Thank ya sir

I need to upgrade the lighting before I use for frags tho

Lookin' forward to the hood mod

It's a tough thought do I do t5 or led maybe I may get a radion 15? Might work but hood is too low would be a lot of chop chop lol

If it were me I'd want something dimmable so it's flexible enough for either corals or fish

Currently on my 20g QT I use a 15w old school fixture for fish, and I have an old 48w PC fixture for corals

Yes I'm leaning led way just unsure what route I'll go

Although.. I still have my old 6' halide setup I could tear apart an pop a 250w halide over it... Overkill?

And let it cycle

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...0DFE18C8F3.jpg

Pretty kool Jeff

Seems kinda dim though for a 250 watt

Lol cause it's not just the original pc bulbs at the moment until I figure out lighting.. Don't need High light to cycle. If I put a 250 watt on it it would melt the plastic hood lol

Then you could re-shape the hood to your liking

There are plans my friend there are plans just waiting for the right opportunity.

I would like a radion on it so I can adjust the lighting to the needs of the moment but i have temporary thoughts I'm playing with since on this hood the whole current lighting can be popped out and removed. Which will allow me to use the hood without too much hacking involved

You know I've been following, right ? Or are you telling everyone else ...

Yeah I know just have a million things going around in my head. If I read back on what I type I may get a solution lol.

Fixed my return pump issue adding a syphon break

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...9987C34295.jpg

What was the issue ?

I drilled the outlet hole too low in the tank so when the power goes out it would drain more water out of display than wanted.

In a tank like this it's not a huge issue as such but if I have corals in thier chillin I don't want the water level to drain too much and expose them.. So better to fix it now than later

Luckily no livestock just had a light show with a popped heater

Carry on

Tank is somwhat complete picked up from a fellow reefer a couple Chinese fixtures. Would have preferred a radion but it will do for now. I'll let the pics tell the story

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...8483EF9C97.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...4A081AE7B9.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...AE1407E8E9.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...8CF1E5B768.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...CB8C2530C0.jpg

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...F6387D0C24.jpg

Now for my next project remaking a skimmate collection bin for the 180 as I'm not happy with the old one kinda rusted out :)

You've completely fallen off the radar Jeff

Any updates ?

I have roids.... Reef roids

Na I'm around just lurking staying out of all the exciting dramas.. Nothing new is going on bought fish fish died bought more... More died. Gave up did yard work maybe try killing more fish come fall lol

Lol

I thought your would have at least given us some new pics of your DIY stuff or something

Carry on, enjoy summer, ignore your tanks ....

Na tanks are not being ignored no worries just haven't done any projects reef related I'll post some pics of my tanks once photo bucket smartens up as well as a non reef project I'm quite proud of which gives me another talent for future builds :) I may be lurking but I'm still designing some future builds :)

Think you still owe us some frag tank pics :smile:

You should see a doctor about that. :lol:

I hear buying a doughnut will help my issue

I should find one.......

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...89C4B9471F.jpg

This is what I've been up to while I let my fish die and tanks rot in unclean water

Cut some steel

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...0D9110846B.jpg

Bought a couple car jacks

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...470BDF050E.jpg

Stuck it together with coral glue and painted the background deep blue sea

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...D518D465FF.jpg

Now I just need to fix up the toy and get it wet

http://i998.photobucket.com/albums/a...2DC8A20533.jpg