Ohio Reef
Reef Discussion => Do It Yourself => Topic started by: guynamedfleck on January 31, 2017, 15:50:50
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Hello all
I managed to get my hands on some 1/4" plate glass and decided it would be the perfect size for a frag tank. I'm enough of a hoarder that this build cost me all of $15. I thought I would share the process for anyone interested, and to hopefully get your input along the way. The tank is 43.5" x 25.5" x 12.75". I'll run it at about 50 gallons (~10" water level).
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FAffsOd0m.jpg&hash=74f33779f4271d00a11bd69033953d9052755d63)
The raw materials. (x3) 1/4" windows and scrap 2x4's from my workshop to knock together a quick stand.
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FmxANDRum.jpg&hash=4a30681d754017dbba04d9cfadad246966e90ad9)
The stand assembled.
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVrivlq6m.jpg&hash=87716ee024430ace2524e30c512c9a47075807ee)
I had a few sheets of foamcore laying around, so used those for a pressure point buffer.
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FRc76E1Jm.jpg&hash=7f58c6f93c8538953db6d19a47784a7fb5be93e8)
3 walls up. pretty straight forward process. pre-taped all the sides on the bottom panel. laid down a bead of silicone for one long side and one short side. Prop them up and tape the corner. From there it all holds itself up.
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fmm3zYTHm.jpg&hash=f0771641d5de8f61da090f12307973b5fa3eb3dc)
Attached the forth wall and then used corner clamps to help square everything up.
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FxanePMpm.jpg&hash=00c1360a9bd23cc96f4218b3c9dedc0942026d15)
A front on view with the starts of my fish room in the background.
Now I just have to wait for the silicone to set. I'll probably turn the stand once assembled and push it up against the wall. I have a nice 4 bulb T5 fixture collecting dust that will go overhead. I haven't decided yet if I will drill this tank and add a sump, or if I will run it as is. Suggestions? I've never run a frag grow out tank before, so any thoughts are welcome.
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I'd probably drill and add a simp. Chaeto, skimmer someday, more volume, etc.
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Has anyone here ever tried an elevated sump design? I'm thinking about building a raised tank on the short end. Rather than drilling the main tank, I could then use a pump to lift water up into the sump that houses a refugium and gravity feeds into the main tank. This way, I'm only drilling the smaller tank and not the main. As a frag tank, I wouldn't have to worry too much about detritus clogging the pump and, on the other end, sending copepods through a return pump.
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Is that going to work without any type of bracing? I've heard of 55 gallon tanks having the bracing removed for a cleaner look shatter and flood due to the pressures. I don't know myself...just throwing it out there ;-)
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Thanks for the reply. From what I understand, most of the outward pressure is caused by the depth of water rather than volume. This tank being large and shallow should be considerably less likely to fail than a standard 55g.
But seeing as this is my first tank build - and i have no idea what I'm doing - I opted to err on the side of caution by going back in and adding euro bracing. Better safe than sorry right? haha. I figured it would also help since there will bee added stress from going in and out of the tank more so than a usual display tank.
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F27I1pJAm.jpg&hash=e3c5067832dc0fc3963cd7244ab434fa023880ad)
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FOrDrlQEm.jpg&hash=5511c353e8eb8d2fb3cec9183b2919501e6598d1)
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nice build :-ThumbUpsm
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I don't know about it personally...you may have been good as it was ;) I figured we have enough people on here that someone might have known off the top of their head
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No worries, I appreciate the input. Better safe than sorry!
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I have some leftover glass, so decided to get a bit more practice in and build another tank. This one measures in at 43 1/2" x 9" x 8". Should run a little over 12 gallons. Who knows what I am going to do with it, but it was fun to build!
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FMkHL7J6m.jpg&hash=a1c9488b7f368e0af280b4db3ebe17bb5252ca09)
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FnrooiXAm.jpg&hash=ef0eb4a1d69d36425991957c5517959022029114)
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Great build cant wait to see what you do with them all
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Thank you.
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fn3QrGVsm.jpg&hash=35e82f5c32ab1ab37de621bc4e782a35e2e8dbd0)
Started into the water test. So far so good. Started at 20g, I've got it up to 40g and still holding.
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F1irpZ1mm.jpg&hash=a899418aa16c30488ab13ef6b3e25e24f6a67400)
Rigged up the T5 and cut a perspex top.
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Man that looks great! Nice job