BigBear's Frag Tank
 

Well I'm building my second tank. The first was a Biocube 32 which has just been modified along the way. Northing to exciting. Now I'm setting up a true tank specifically for coral and frags.

I've ordered a rimless, 34g 36x18x12 tank which the LFS found as a steal from their supplier. I think its a Deep Blue Ocean but I didn't write down the product number and we looked at a bunch so I might have that wrong.

In the meantime I'm piecing together the equipment list.

I'm heavily leaning towards a Neptune Apex over a more reasonably priced Seneye and a series of timers, etc. Anyone care to weigh in here?

I picked up a 20g tall standard tank from Petco for a sump. BTW word on the street is they are starting their $1/gallon sell in a couple of weeks. I haven't added baffles and I might wait and see how the stand comes together and buy a different tank then.

Lighting I'm leaning towards two Kessil A160WE opposed to one A360WE. I think two will give more full coverage and I figure I can darken on side of the tank if a need a dimmer area.

I'm also looking at:
2 BRS media reactors for Carbon and GFO.
1 Marine pure 8x8x4 for biofiltration, in the sump
Two part dosing system, probably the BRS system again

I spent a couple of hours in the garage today cleaning up some 2x10s to start framing a stand. I plan on making a very overbuild frame and then skinning the stand to look really nice when it's done. Here's the work so far.

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Looking good! Eventually in the long run that apex can end up saving some money because of all the functions its able to do. And i like the dual kessil idea especially if you decide to have some LPS or softies mixed in with some SPS

Nice stand build so far. Where did you get nice square 2x10s with planed edges all round? All I can find is rounded edge stuff that is impossible to keep square when assembling. About to redo it in 1x6 , sistered, for the main spans


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Thanks. I had to go get more wood today and after that, dinner, setting up a 10g to cycle some marine pure and finishing up some work I didn't have it in me to get into the workshop.

To answer your question though I have a nice wood shop set up in the garage. Reefing is just one of many hobbies.

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I agree though standard 2xanything is terrible for furniture building. I have been cutting to approximate length then jointing and planing. Then to the table saw for dimension. Followed by another trip to the miter saw for final lengths. It's a lengthy process. Honestly though I always love a day in the shop and particularly love the final assembly days.

My wife has me building a new bed frame for my daughter so I have to split time between the two.

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Just placed a big BRS order. RO/DI, misc stuff, a couple of pumps, etc. I'm not sure what size the pre-drilled holes are some I'm waiting to get the tank, which should be tomorrow.

I decided on the Apex but they were out of stock. I'll call tomorrow, but I can't imagine they'll be out of stock for long.

Anyone have a good answer for ATO using the apex. I went to autotopoff.com and I think I can figure out a redundant system with a breakout box addition but I'm open for proven solutions.

I have the same lumber rack!

I don't have that kind of facility. It may cost a lot more, but I'm thinking 1x6 for my stand. Already planed and straight. I've tried using regular 2 bys for bookcases etc before and they suck


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How big of a tank are you putting on it?

I'm way, way overkill on this build. I'm putting it in my study next to my computer and on the second floor. If the stand fails under load I will never hear the end of it.


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Alright! The tank came in today.

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I was hoping to have a herbie set up but it only has two holes drilled in it. Any suggestions? I'm hoping for a quite overflow.

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Have you started a build thread? I'd like to follow along your build too.


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Good day in the shop. Daughter was at daycare and wife had a substitute position. The frame is essentially finished. This thing is way over built.

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Now to some paint to protect the wood and waiting on all the goods from BRS.


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A 125. It's 72x18x22, marineland.

I like overengineered. Just another way of saying safe, I guess.

Cheers


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Not yet, but soon. Next month or so.

Tradeoff is the wife wants matching white builtins on the wall opposite. I get to do that while tank and goodies get delivered.

Planning on drilling for a shadow overflow and beananimal combo, a 40b for a sump (middle return section with a big refugium slow flow teed off the return on the right side).




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Nice morning with the family. Good afternoon in the shop. It's coming along nicely.

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Spent a lot of time yesterday planing the wood and getting it cut to all but final dimensions. After work today I was able to get it mounted. I brad nailed it directly to the frame.

Piping comes on Wednesday. We're getting close here.

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Somehow my wife let me work after dinner. She must want something. I bet this is going to cost me.

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Nice woodworking. Following along for the ride.

Thanks. Woodworking is another hobby of mine. I have really enjoyed getting to use both for this build.


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Ohh it looks like Christmas at my house and it's all for me. Too bad I'm at work until midnight.

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You have 2 options if you want a herbie style overflow.

1. Use the 2 holes for your drains and go over top with the return.
2. Drill the tank for a return.

That's about what I had concluded. Turns out it's tempered so drilling is out of the question.

I was worried about the number of 90* elbows I would have to put in to get it out of the stand of over the back but ultimately I think it'll be worth it. At least that's my assumption after watching YouTube videos about the durso and herbie drains. I ordered a Sicce 2.0 and 3.0. I figured whichever I don't use for the tank will work fine for a water mixing station.


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Sorry i should have been a little clearer. I meant for you to drill the back panel which is not tempered. You can check http://deepblueprofessional.com/resources.html your tank is further down the list. Only panel that is Tempered is the bottom. This way you only end up with 1 90 elbow into the bulk head.

I think I'm just going to go over the top with the return. Thanks for the resource though.


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Getting closer and closeting to plumbing time.

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