New frag tank, in garage?

[greenreefer]

I really want to setup a frag tank, something shallow or standard depth with LR on bottom and egg crate 6 - 8 inches from top to seem shallow. I'd also really like to figure out a way to put this in my garage without having to build a seperate room. I basicly planning on this being a top down frag tank for zoos and rics so I don't really care if it has clear sides. I hoping for something at least 2 feet front to back and 4 feet wide. Any suggestions on what to use for the tank? Any suggestions on how to keep bugs from falling into tank (since they are attracted to the light)? Think a chiller will be able to fight the heat in summer? We hit 100 a couple times a year.

 

[jrthomas40]

for bugs i would say a screen but that would just shade your tank other than clear/glass tops there is nothing else really...summer heat i think you would be fine with a few fans...as long as the tank is not in direct sunlight and your lights arent right on top of the tank...it may warm the water some but from just being hot and a large body of water it will take some time to heat up that much water...i would definitely make sure to keep a cover or keep the sump enclosed to keep the water cooler

 

[greenreefer]

Can I keep both the sump and tank covered with glass tops? I thought the surface needed good air exchange?

 

[bronco300]

i wouldnt cover them, it'll just add to your heat issues as well as not give a very good gas exchange....I'd have some nice fans blowing across the water between the tank and light to cool it down...should be plenty to help since you can use a bit bigger fans in the garage...as far as bugs there probable isn't much you can do except filter them out...keep a couple bug zappers along the perimeter, haha.

for the tank, have you checking into rubbermaid containers? like the long ones for under the bed...or what about the rubbermaid stock tanks?

 

[reefforbrains]

Hit a local feed shop and get a horse trough.
Big, cheap and durable as heck. Insulated pretty nice too.

 

[susiestank]

Is there any issue with a tank in a garage in terms of fumes from a car?
I was thinking about a QT being set up in my garage for when I bring new inhabitants.

 

[greenreefer]

Maybe, but at least in my scenario (and I think most people with small children) cars don't actually see the inside of my garage.

 

[greenreefer]

So the wife agreed to let me put a frag tank in the master closet (it's bigger than we currently use). I went and looked at the Rubbermaid stock tanks at Tractor Supply and they are definately cheap and hold a lot, but I think a stand would be difficult to build for that shape. What do you guys think about a 180 gallon tank with a acrylic DYI box to sit in it and hang on to the top of the tank so I end up with a self contained frag tank (60 x 24) and sump, so that basicly the top 12 inches would be frag tank and the bottom 12 would be sump.
What's a good choice for lighting (primarily zoos and palys)? I want it to be easy to work in the tank unlike most displays. Are MH pendants with hooks on the wall to hold them away from the tank while working to best choice? I'd be open to T5s if there is a decent way to do them without having to pickup the fixture and set in on the floor or table while working in the tank.

 

[greenreefer]

If I go with a shallow frag tank, 12 inches or less in depth, should I run it bare bottom and without LR? If so What should go in the sump just LR or LR and LS?

 

[bronco300]

lights i'd probably just go with T5 because you have so many color options, and since youre going with softies there isn't really a need for TONS of lighting...i mean technically you could go with PCs if you wanted...as far as tank I personally would go bare bottom with no rock...it'll make it easy to clean(syphon the crap off the bottom)...and you wont have to wrry as much about predators hiding in the live rock,etc...and then sump i'd put all that junk in there, macro,rock,sand,etc.

 

[greenreefer]

Well I'm going to go a little smaller than I origonally planned, but if this goes well then I'll do a second one. I found 2 rubermaid contains that fit inside of each other. I'll drill holes in the top, shallow one so that the bottom one can be a sump, but this way they should both be able to share the same light source, which will coralife aqualight pro. In total this should hold about 55 gallons and the frag tray will be 38 by 19 and 7 inches deep. It cost $28 for the containers at Walmart. Here are some pics.

 

[greenreefer]

Before anyone else points this out... I know these kind of containers will bow when filled with water and so I plan to build a frame that wraps around the lower container to keep the shape true.

 

[jrthomas40]

i wasnt saying cover the top on the sump...i was saying put it in some type of enclosure like the bottom of a stand closed in with a door in the front and you could put door screen on the back side to keep bugs out of your sump...then you could put you a small fan in there and a fan between the lights and tank

 

[greenreefer]

Here are some pics of the build so far:

 

[greenreefer]

My coralife aqualight pro will sit on the very top so it should be very easy to get in and out of this tank without having to move the lights.
The side braces, the 2x10 running across the front and back are to keep the rubbermaid from bowing.

 

[greenreefer]

Here are some pics of the plumbing, the return. I added ball valves and a threaded connector so that a standard hose can be connected. I did this because I figured water changes might be challenging in a 7 inch deep tank. This way I can shut off the pump, close one valve and connect a hose to the other and then turn the pump on. Then it will pump water through the hose in to my water change bucket.

 

[greenreefer]

No one likes my frag tank build
Well anyways I'm hoping to have it up by the end of the week. I'm working a macro cage for the fuge to keep the macro out of the pump. AFter that I just need to add sand, rock and water.

 

[bronco300]

looks good pete!! so they are going to stay sitting in each other right? kind of a neat idea so they can have the same lighting...can't wait to see it up and running

 

[veni vidi vici]

Originally Posted by GreenReefer
http:///forum/post/2687319
No one likes my frag tank build
Well anyways I'm hoping to have it up by the end of the week. I'm working a macro cage for the fuge to keep the macro out of the pump. AFter that I just need to add sand, rock and water.
100 and 1 more use for storage containers.I like it man..... pretty slick.

 

[michael1972]

b4 u did all that work making a stand and doing the plumming did you fill the tubs to see if the one will hold the other one up?
i like it it looks good lets see some more picks.
on the ends 'returns' you can heat up the pvc ends and kinda of smash them and

[hr]
them on to your other fittings to get a little better flow out of them. ?? jmo