large frag growout tank surge system.

[sk8ter20art]

I am currently building a 200+ gallon frag growout tank. Its a wooden frame that i am going to line with pondliner (insulated with Styrofoam sheets).

Tank dimensions are 44 in wide x 10ft long x 12in tall.

I am planning on doing a surge system, with two surges. One larger than the other so they are random. I have a 40 in long plastic storm drain (usually put in driveways) that will be my overflow box, going to at least 2x 2in drains. The surge tank will be on the platform above the top of the tank. I plan to just use the siphon type of surge instead of the flush valve, noise and bubbles are not really an issue in the location.

What i need help with is the number of gallons the surge should be so I can size my sump appropriately. Also what gph would you recommend for 1 pump to fill both surge tanks (probably going to be one tank divided with baffles) and of course its going to have an emergency drain.

any other advice/tips are welcome. I will be adding a build thread, once i figure out some more details, ive been taking photos.

Never thought id get to build something this large on a small budget. Scaling things up can be tricky especially if you havent even done them on smaller scales.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

i have a couple concerns/ questions…

are you adding more supports under the tank?
i don't think those cantilevers are a good idea on a regular tank let alone one you plan on running surge devices in..a harmonic wave in that tank could tip it, or at least get it resonating.

personally i think i would use two individual tanks for the surges, i think a devided tank might lead to failure at some point…the constant uneven pressure on the baffle might not be good for the joints…

as for the size…i would say something like a 8 and 13g surge would move ridiculous amounts of water through the tank, and they would constantly be firing at different times, and i am sure they would occasionally overlap too. but it would depend on the exit i would think…if it is going to be a long dispersed surge or short/ fast focused surge..

 

[Gorgok]

I would want the block legs (or at least ones at the ends) running with the tank, for fear of it shifting enough from the surges to topple them. It probably can't do that... but it still would feel better.

 

[john08007]

may want to better wrap some 2x4's along the ends and maybe across the top to prevent bowing, it's hard to tell in the picture but I think the sides will blow out how it's constructed now.

 

[sk8ter20art]

Yeah, after putting the legs on i was thinking about re-positioning them further out towards the ends. The overflow will pretty much be coast to coast at the opposite end of the surge tank. I hadnt thought much about weight shifting from the wave, but i think its overall weight will reduce shifting.

The base of the frame is 4 2x6x12s 16in centers, all sides are skinned in 19/32 plywood. Its framed like a house subfloor to disperse the weight evenly.

I am adding a 2x4 rim around the top edge for more support, not putting in place until the liner is in place.

the surge drains would be 1.5in reduced through 1 in bulkhead.

So far it has been a design as i go process. This pic was taken because i was at a good stopping point. I was still waiting on the bulkheads to arrive, and some more funds.

Keep the tips/suggestions coming. With 8 +13g surges what do you think would be a good pump rate. Now is the time to make changes mods.

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

the insurge won't do much weight wise as you mentioned, but as i mentioned, with really good timing, (or if it is unplanned for in that case it would be poor timing) the wave(s) created could become harmonic and resonate the tank, in its current configuration, if the tank starts to resonate you will be in 200g of trouble. if you are lucky it blows an end off it, but most likely it will shake it self off the stand, which if you or anyone else is near by it would be very bad…

i would be very tempted to build 4 more cinder posts, one in each corner perpendicular to the existing..

 

[sk8ter20art]

I know the current legs are an issue, just hadnt gotten back to it to make changes. Trying to get my plans more defined for the surge and sump system.

Anybody got advice on heating an extra long tank like this. Heater size/placement/location. This tank is located inside with a/c + heat.

 

[Gorgok]

I don't see heating as an issue with even a little flow... Are you going to use any powerheads or just the surges?

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

for heating use several smaller heaters rather then a large one or two. since it is only a frag tank you could put them where ever you want in the tank…if it has a sump which i think you mentioned i would just put a bunch down there…