Need Advice-Frag Tank

Airborne · 09/13/2011, 12:54 PM

I was thinking of adding a frag tank to my current set up. I have a 120 gal DT with a 29 gallon sump. I also have the sump in the garage where it hits 95 degrees. I have a Tradewind 1/3 Chiller and for a return pump Reeflo Dart.

A guy has a brand new 48x24x12 frag tank with center trap overflow and it has 4- 1" returns drilled into the box. 2 down low on the overflow and 2 up higher.
The drain is drilled to fit a 1 1/2" bulk head. He wants $150 for the tank.

Can my current system handle the extra water and would I need more bio-load protection such as additional live rock? What am I overlooking? This would be another 60 gallons of water. How would I add it to the current system?

Should I look for a smaller frag tank say no more than 30 gallons?

Thanks for the help. I need to go to lunch but will return.

jon99 · 09/13/2011, 02:55 PM

Your system can handle any size frag tank with the right upgrades. I'd say with a 30 gal sump the 120 and 60 would be maxing it out... unless you have a ton of liverock in the dt, to make up for the smaller sump. The additional water would also mean more water processing through the sump/fuge which means less dwell time/process time for the water. This ofcourse can be countered by increasing water changes, decreasing feeding and livestock, etc. Here are a few other things I can think of that you need to consider...

-what size skimmer do you currently have? with an additional 60gal will it need to be upgraded?

-frag tank will need a light, obviously, that means more heat. On the other hand in the winter you may need to toss an extra heater to heat the additional water.

-60 additional gallons = 15 additional gallons of water to change every month. More rodi, more salt, and more work.

I guess it really comes down to being your decission. It's not impossible to make it work, and honestly there are many benefits of having systems with more water. For starters the params are more stable and ofcourse dilution is the solution to pollution.

calbert0 · 09/13/2011, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon99

your system can handle any size frag tank with the right upgrades. I'd say with a 30 gal sump the 120 and 60 would be maxing it out... Unless you have a ton of liverock in the dt, to make up for the smaller sump. The additional water would also mean more water processing through the sump/fuge which means less dwell time/process time for the water. This ofcourse can be countered by increasing water changes, decreasing feeding and livestock, etc. Here are a few other things i can think of that you need to consider...

-what size skimmer do you currently have? With an additional 60gal will it need to be upgraded?

-frag tank will need a light, obviously, that means more heat. On the other hand in the winter you may need to toss an extra heater to heat the additional water.

-60 additional gallons = 15 additional gallons of water to change every month. More rodi, more salt, and more work.

I guess it really comes down to being your decission. It's not impossible to make it work, and honestly there are many benefits of having systems with more water. For starters the params are more stable and ofcourse dilution is the solution to pollution.

+1

jformani · 09/13/2011, 05:39 PM

when i added a 40g frag tank to my 125 i mixed the new saltwater for a day, and added it to my system. i posted the same questions and the response was it will be fine...and it was. $150 is a nice price on that set up, i would have done it. or you could go to petco and get a 40 breeder for $40 when they are on sale.

Airborne · 09/14/2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jformani

when i added a 40g frag tank to my 125 i mixed the new saltwater for a day, and added it to my system. i posted the same questions and the response was it will be fine...and it was. $150 is a nice price on that set up, i would have done it. or you could go to petco and get a 40 breeder for $40 when they are on sale.

Can a 40 gal breeder tank be drilled? Is this something that I could drill myself for a 1 1/2" drain?

LukeGI · 09/14/2011, 11:17 AM

Yes a 40B can be drilled on the sides...not sure on the bottom...check for a sticker saying its tempered, I think they are on the bottom.

Airborne · 09/14/2011, 11:52 AM

How would I go about drilling the sides. Meaning, doesn't the drain have to be drilled on the bottom if I do not have an external overflow box?

LukeGI · 09/14/2011, 12:07 PM

There are a number of internal overflow box options that you can silicone to the side of the tank...I prefer this method because it takes up less space in the tank. The downside being that you have plumbing going out the back of the tank, so you can't put the tank right up against a wall.

There is a guy local to me (Kansas City) who makes a standard size, but also custom sizes out of black acrylic...and he ships.
This is the guy who makes them. Send him a message.
http://www.salt-city.org/member.php?91-inky
You can see a bit of it on my tank...back, upper left corner.

jon99 · 09/14/2011, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airborne

How would I go about drilling the sides. Meaning, doesn't the drain have to be drilled on the bottom if I do not have an external overflow box?

I have a 40g breeder setup as a frag tank. The bottom is tempered (if you get an Aqueon or All-glass brand). Glass cages does not use tempered glass so I'm sure you could have them make you one with plate glass on the bottom. However, you can very easily drill one of the side panels or the back, whatever works in your configuration. I wouldn't mess with gluesing together overflow boxes, it's so much easier to just use a 90* elbow as the overflow. Takeas up much less space and much easier to do. One end of the elbow goes into the bulkhead, the other end sticks up and skims water from the surface... if that makes since. I can take a pic of mine when I get home from work and post it one here... speaking of work...

jon99 · 09/14/2011, 03:22 PM

Airborne,
Drilling a tank is not hard at all. I had no experience when I first tried. I drilled 11 holes total with no problems. Just go slow and take your time with it. I'm sure you can ask around for advice on here on drilling glass and you'll get plenty of help.

You can get hole saws for glass at http://www.glass-holes.com/

Use the overflow calculator http://reefcentral.com/index.php/dra...flow-size-calc to figure out what size hole you need based on your pump/flow rate. I'd STRONGLY recommend drilling two holes this size and installing two drains. You always want a back up incase one happens to get clogged, and given enough time it will.

The overflow itself can be simply a 90* elbow like this. With a painted black backgroung you would barely even notice that it's there. Simple and cheap.

I cut a circular piece of plastic gutter guard and dropped it inside the top of the elbow to keep fish, snals, etc from getting in the overflow.

Airborne · 09/15/2011, 09:32 AM

Thanks for the help and support. Looks like what I need. Sure appreciate your efforts and the pics.

Thx again.

jformani · 09/18/2011, 06:30 AM

you could take the 40b to a lfs and have it drilled. cost $16-20 depending on store

09/13/2011, 12:54 PM	#1
Airborne Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burbank,CA Posts: 574	Need Advice-Frag Tank I was thinking of adding a frag tank to my current set up. I have a 120 gal DT with a 29 gallon sump. I also have the sump in the garage where it hits 95 degrees. I have a Tradewind 1/3 Chiller and for a return pump Reeflo Dart. A guy has a brand new 48x24x12 frag tank with center trap overflow and it has 4- 1" returns drilled into the box. 2 down low on the overflow and 2 up higher. The drain is drilled to fit a 1 1/2" bulk head. He wants $150 for the tank. Can my current system handle the extra water and would I need more bio-load protection such as additional live rock? What am I overlooking? This would be another 60 gallons of water. How would I add it to the current system? Should I look for a smaller frag tank say no more than 30 gallons? Thanks for the help. I need to go to lunch but will return.

09/14/2011, 11:17 AM	#6
LukeGI Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 240	Yes a 40B can be drilled on the sides...not sure on the bottom...check for a sticker saying its tempered, I think they are on the bottom. __________________ "Dream no small dreams. They have no power to stir the souls of men." - Victor Hugo Current Tank Info: 180g Mixed Reef, 40B sump, LED lights

09/14/2011, 11:52 AM	#7
Airborne Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burbank,CA Posts: 574	40 g Breeder How would I go about drilling the sides. Meaning, doesn't the drain have to be drilled on the bottom if I do not have an external overflow box?

09/14/2011, 12:07 PM	#8
LukeGI Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 240	There are a number of internal overflow box options that you can silicone to the side of the tank...I prefer this method because it takes up less space in the tank. The downside being that you have plumbing going out the back of the tank, so you can't put the tank right up against a wall. There is a guy local to me (Kansas City) who makes a standard size, but also custom sizes out of black acrylic...and he ships. This is the guy who makes them. Send him a message. http://www.salt-city.org/member.php?91-inky You can see a bit of it on my tank...back, upper left corner. __________________ "Dream no small dreams. They have no power to stir the souls of men." - Victor Hugo Current Tank Info: 180g Mixed Reef, 40B sump, LED lights

09/15/2011, 09:32 AM	#11
Airborne Moved On Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Burbank,CA Posts: 574	Farg Tank Thanks for the help and support. Looks like what I need. Sure appreciate your efforts and the pics. Thx again.

09/13/2011, 02:55 PM	#2
jon99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atl Ga Posts: 817	Your system can handle any size frag tank with the right upgrades. I'd say with a 30 gal sump the 120 and 60 would be maxing it out... unless you have a ton of liverock in the dt, to make up for the smaller sump. The additional water would also mean more water processing through the sump/fuge which means less dwell time/process time for the water. This ofcourse can be countered by increasing water changes, decreasing feeding and livestock, etc. Here are a few other things I can think of that you need to consider... -what size skimmer do you currently have? with an additional 60gal will it need to be upgraded? -frag tank will need a light, obviously, that means more heat. On the other hand in the winter you may need to toss an extra heater to heat the additional water. -60 additional gallons = 15 additional gallons of water to change every month. More rodi, more salt, and more work. I guess it really comes down to being your decission. It's not impossible to make it work, and honestly there are many benefits of having systems with more water. For starters the params are more stable and ofcourse dilution is the solution to pollution.

09/13/2011, 05:39 PM	#4
jformani Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 730	when i added a 40g frag tank to my 125 i mixed the new saltwater for a day, and added it to my system. i posted the same questions and the response was it will be fine...and it was. $150 is a nice price on that set up, i would have done it. or you could go to petco and get a 40 breeder for $40 when they are on sale.

09/14/2011, 03:22 PM	#10
jon99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atl Ga Posts: 817	Airborne, Drilling a tank is not hard at all. I had no experience when I first tried. I drilled 11 holes total with no problems. Just go slow and take your time with it. I'm sure you can ask around for advice on here on drilling glass and you'll get plenty of help. You can get hole saws for glass at http://www.glass-holes.com/ Use the overflow calculator http://reefcentral.com/index.php/dra...flow-size-calc to figure out what size hole you need based on your pump/flow rate. I'd STRONGLY recommend drilling two holes this size and installing two drains. You always want a back up incase one happens to get clogged, and given enough time it will. The overflow itself can be simply a 90* elbow like this. With a painted black backgroung you would barely even notice that it's there. Simple and cheap. I cut a circular piece of plastic gutter guard and dropped it inside the top of the elbow to keep fish, snals, etc from getting in the overflow.

09/18/2011, 06:30 AM	#12
jformani Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 730	you could take the 40b to a lfs and have it drilled. cost $16-20 depending on store

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Need Help making a frag tank	joeminer117	Do It Yourself	4	12/24/2011 10:38 AM
Interested in Starting a Frag Tank	rbrewer2	Coral Propagation and Aquaculture	2	03/26/2011 05:05 PM
Frag tank lighting advice	Drewbaby	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	7	09/01/2010 08:53 AM
Looking for frag tank	justjosh	Coral Propagation and Aquaculture	10	01/19/2010 06:38 PM
looking for a frag tank	justjosh	Reef Discussion	2	01/13/2010 11:07 PM