Frag rack question

[double0banks]

So Im setting up a frag tank and have decided to save some money and use a 55 gallon tank that I already owned. This obviously is deeper and narrower than is ideal for this type of setup so Im not sure if the norm. (front to back) stepped rack would be the best choice. I thought about a pyramid (lowest on sides, highest in the center) but feel this could restrict flow. Do you all think a left to right or visa versa may be the best option?

 

[rhino509]

id probably do the step up(front to back)

 

[Titus77]

I would do something like this.

Have the highest point in the middle-back, then step it down in front, to the left, and to the right of the highest point.

 

[RokleM]

In a 55, you barely have room front to back to put in much, let alone a step up formation in my opinion. Every step would be what, an inch or two wide? In my opinion, a 55 is one of those tanks that should remain in the freshwater hobby, not in reefkeeping, but I digress...

What do you plan to keep? What type of lighting? If it's SPS and LPS (or low/high light) I would actually recommend multiple levels, but they can be somewhat on top of each other. Put the LPS on the bottom level, and SPS on a higher level. If you use suction cups or another mounting system on the glass to "rest" the shelves on, you could setup a system to reach the bottom most shelf with relative ease as long as the frags aren't getting too big.

 

[Reefinabox]

How about if you modified the step up plan to use the length of the tank instead of the width. You could start in the middle and build two stepped platforms with the highest level on the ends. That would give you more room on each platform and you would have 2 platforms at each level.

 

[double0banks]

That is what I was thinking would work best (utilizing the length due to the lack of width) Do you think that having the highest stages on the outsides may cause moderate restriction in flow? Would stepped platforms from one side to the other allow free flowing water better?

 

[double0banks]

As for what I plan on keeping, I would be starting with zoas, LPS, and softies but would eventually plan on trying SPS as well

 

[Reefinabox]

Depending on how high you are planning to step the racks I don't think you will be restricting flow. What are you planning to use for flow in the tank?

 

[double0banks]

My flow will be pretty intense with two 1300gph ph's and a return pump that hasn't yet been sized. Thinking of hooking the ph's to a wave box as well

 

[Titus77]

If you make the overflow in the middle of the tank, you can split the return so that you have flow coming from both sides, giving better, fresher flow. Also, you will be able to put the highest stack points on each end of the tank, and stack down to the middle, giving it a mirror effect. Then you could put the two powerheads at the bottom, or as low as you could go, and place one on each end of the tank on the bottom, facing 45 degrees up, making the flow go to the surface, but cross the tank completely. That is what I would do.