My new Frag tank up!!! Finally!!!

[flyingarmy]

Well after several designs and several weeks of prep and collecting the right materials I completed my frag tank today. I used a 37GAL acrylic tank that I cut the back off, which now becomes the top. I used a piece of acrylic I got from Lowes and used silicone to seal it over the original top to create the new front of the tank. I used 3 bulk head for flow; one hook to a spraybar at the bottom of the tank, another to a Locline spray fan and the last to a Oceans Motions spout that changes direction each time the Oceans Motions 3 way sends the flow. The return is 1.5 that feeds into my sump for my display tank. The flow bulkheads are 1.25. I used eggcrate for the frag racks, and so far they work great. I taped into my sump for the return with a 1.5 bulkhead and it feeds a Little Giant 3MDQ-SC, 640GPH to the Oceans Motions 3 way. I already can tell I want to upgrade the return pump some time, flow is good but not enough IMHO! I am using a AquaMedic 250W 14K MH and soon I am going to add a 2X75 Actnic VHO. Here are some pictures, enjoy!
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[mufret]

What a great idea! (cutting out the back).

If you ever decide you'd like to seal the new front, permanently, LMK. I have some Weld On

 

[jetchris]

wow, let me know when you are selling

 

[vettesarebest]

Looks really nice, Is that a Giant Plate coral in the 7th picture?

 

[flyingarmy]

Yep..it's a green fugia plate. Nursing it back to health, recently took it out of my display tank hoping it would heal in the frag tank.

 

[sprayin70]

Awesome! Top quality job+++

 

[cameron]

Agreed very nice job.

 

[nano_reefer92]

WOW!!!!!!!!!

that is Quality Craftsmanship!!

 

[flyingarmy]

After some consideration I think I am going with a single return and a CLS for the other 2 returns. The flow is not what I want and I have a Iwaki pump laying around that would work fine for a CLS. Now I just have to figure out where to drill another bulkhead. I already have 4 holes drilled in the back, will another dramatically decrease the integrity of the acrylic? Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[flyingarmy]

After looking at the CLS Melv built on his site I am going to go with that design. Don't want to drain the tank to drill another bulkhead, just have to clamp off the tubing while I switch everything out!

 

[dkelly]

Did you drill the tank yourself?

 

[flyingarmy]

Yes..but it's acrylic so it was quite simple.

 

[sammy33]

flyingarmy;57570 wrote: After looking at the CLS Melv built on his site I am going to go with that design. Don't want to drain the tank to drill another bulkhead, just have to clamp off the tubing while I switch everything out!

Melev's closed loop design works well on smaller tanks (smaller pumps). I used the same type design for several years and still have my closed loop running on one of my 22g frag tanks.

I ended up using just vinyl tubing for the plumbing runs, I used an old spraybar for the intake and then an old return nozzle for the return back to the tank.

 

[flyingarmy]

Thanks everyone! Dave...I used the GE 100% silicone and it is working great. Hopefully I won't be posting up that it failed, but I used almost a whole tube installing the front piece. I am sure it will hold for a long time. Tank is up and running with lots of frags!
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[flyingarmy]

Updated Frag Tank pictures. Between all the recent additions and some nice catches off the net my frag tank is looking quite full!
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[thekid55]

when a frag tank is full you could always sell!!

 

[haninja]

looks great. time to start selling ...

 

[juston51]

Wow! :wow2: nice set up! Frags look great too!

 

[wbholwell]

Mark, where do you do most of your net shopping?

 

[triggerhappy8]

I must say Mark, your nicest work yet. Cheers to you.