First off, I put this thread in the DIY section because the build will be DIY intensive. If it needs to move, that's fine.
I have reached a point where my tank is full of frags, but I want more. Call me crazy, out of control, infected with the reef bug, or what have you. This has lead me to the conclusion that I "need" a frag tank.
I originally considered just adding a small tank, plumbed into my existing system, like I have seen at so many other members' houses. However, I've decided against it for multiple reasons:
1. There just isn't enough room under my 125 to add a frag tank in my stand. If I did go this route, I would be limited to something like a 20 gallon tank. I want to go bigger.
2. I don't really have the room to put another tank beside my aquarium. I'm limited to 17" on either side. Again, available space is cramping my style.
3. I briefly considered putting a frag tank on the opposite side of the wall in the next room but quickly realized that my wife would veto that idea. Plus, in the long run, I'm planning to put a tank in said wall, viewable from both rooms.
4. I like the security that a separate system provides me with regards to tank crashes. I have not experienced one, but the horror stories are enough to give me concern. Yes, I know that more tanks equals more work.
What are your thoughts about the combined/separate systems? Is my head on straight?
So what's the plan?
The ultimate plan is to have a large DT on my main floor and plumb it to a basement sump that's in a fish room, so I'm planning to build the frag tank that will permently be in my fish room. Here's what I'm thinking...
Tank(s):
PLAN A -Use two 40B tanks plumbed into the same system and use ball valves to control the amount of flow going to each tank. This way, I can setup one of the tanks with a medium flow and the other with a high flow. Are the ball valves going to give me a benefit? Or do you think using different power heads in each tank is enough to achieve the desired effect? I'm invisioning these tanks sitting side by side (almost like one tank).
PLAN B -build a customer frag tank out of acrylic. I was thinking that a 6' x 24" x 12" would be a good size. This option will cost more in the end, but has the potential to look better. Of course, I would lose the effect of controlling the separate flows.
Which idea would you pick?
Sump:
I've spent the last couple of weeks checking out other sponsor and member frag tanks. I was surprised to see a lack of live rock in the stand alone frag tanks. It seems like matrix is the way to go. It seems the standard sump includes the basics (sock, Skimmer, reactors, etc) but uses matrix instead of live rock. Would I be making a mistake to go this route?
Finally, most frag tanks that I have seen have a few fish in them, but they are selected carefully. It seems that the best idea is to add a few fish that perform a job such as those that will eat algae.
Currently, my DIY list of projects will include a stand, electrical work, framing, drywalling (basically basement finishing work, etc.), sump, and probably lights. This is a minimum. I'm a very DIY king of guy, and pretty much always consider doing something myself first.
I'm looking forward to this project and your feedback/suggestions along the way.
I have reached a point where my tank is full of frags, but I want more. Call me crazy, out of control, infected with the reef bug, or what have you. This has lead me to the conclusion that I "need" a frag tank.
I originally considered just adding a small tank, plumbed into my existing system, like I have seen at so many other members' houses. However, I've decided against it for multiple reasons:
1. There just isn't enough room under my 125 to add a frag tank in my stand. If I did go this route, I would be limited to something like a 20 gallon tank. I want to go bigger.
2. I don't really have the room to put another tank beside my aquarium. I'm limited to 17" on either side. Again, available space is cramping my style.
3. I briefly considered putting a frag tank on the opposite side of the wall in the next room but quickly realized that my wife would veto that idea. Plus, in the long run, I'm planning to put a tank in said wall, viewable from both rooms.
4. I like the security that a separate system provides me with regards to tank crashes. I have not experienced one, but the horror stories are enough to give me concern. Yes, I know that more tanks equals more work.
What are your thoughts about the combined/separate systems? Is my head on straight?
So what's the plan?
The ultimate plan is to have a large DT on my main floor and plumb it to a basement sump that's in a fish room, so I'm planning to build the frag tank that will permently be in my fish room. Here's what I'm thinking...
Tank(s):
PLAN A -Use two 40B tanks plumbed into the same system and use ball valves to control the amount of flow going to each tank. This way, I can setup one of the tanks with a medium flow and the other with a high flow. Are the ball valves going to give me a benefit? Or do you think using different power heads in each tank is enough to achieve the desired effect? I'm invisioning these tanks sitting side by side (almost like one tank).
PLAN B -build a customer frag tank out of acrylic. I was thinking that a 6' x 24" x 12" would be a good size. This option will cost more in the end, but has the potential to look better. Of course, I would lose the effect of controlling the separate flows.
Which idea would you pick?
Sump:
I've spent the last couple of weeks checking out other sponsor and member frag tanks. I was surprised to see a lack of live rock in the stand alone frag tanks. It seems like matrix is the way to go. It seems the standard sump includes the basics (sock, Skimmer, reactors, etc) but uses matrix instead of live rock. Would I be making a mistake to go this route?
Finally, most frag tanks that I have seen have a few fish in them, but they are selected carefully. It seems that the best idea is to add a few fish that perform a job such as those that will eat algae.
Currently, my DIY list of projects will include a stand, electrical work, framing, drywalling (basically basement finishing work, etc.), sump, and probably lights. This is a minimum. I'm a very DIY king of guy, and pretty much always consider doing something myself first.
I'm looking forward to this project and your feedback/suggestions along the way.
) jk
