New Frag Tank Build
- Thread starter dbartkow
- Start date
Brent Thomann
New member
how much Weld-On did you use. I have a small 4 oz can of #4, was wondering if that would be enough for similar project as yours.
also, did you use a router to smooth out your edges even more before gluing? think it would be beneficial to help with the air bubbles.
also, did you use a router to smooth out your edges even more before gluing? think it would be beneficial to help with the air bubbles.
dbartkow
New member
I think that should be plenty of Weldon #4. Do you have an ultra-fine tip applicator? You will need that.
I did my rough cuts with a table saw and they actually came out pretty clean. But then I did use a router table to clean up the edges. It took a little practice with the router table to make an improvement over the table saw. It is a balance of how much to take off and how quickly to feed it through.
If you have a good table saw blade you can get away without the router. It would be a good idea to try and lightly sand down the edges though. That should make them flat enough to make a good joint.
I would practice a couple of times before making your final version. I have three 12" x 6" x 3" boxes that I made just to get more practice. The first two leaked and then I finally got the hang of it by the third attempt.
I hope that helps!
Dave
I did my rough cuts with a table saw and they actually came out pretty clean. But then I did use a router table to clean up the edges. It took a little practice with the router table to make an improvement over the table saw. It is a balance of how much to take off and how quickly to feed it through.
If you have a good table saw blade you can get away without the router. It would be a good idea to try and lightly sand down the edges though. That should make them flat enough to make a good joint.
I would practice a couple of times before making your final version. I have three 12" x 6" x 3" boxes that I made just to get more practice. The first two leaked and then I finally got the hang of it by the third attempt.
I hope that helps!
Dave
dbartkow
New member
Well, it has been while since my last update. I have been slowly making progress on my stand and have finally completed it. It really didn't take long at all, but had to fit it in between all the kids activities and home projects I was assigned.
Most boards are connected with deck screws and Gorilla Glue. I did use bolts to attach the legs since there is no way I can fit this through a doorway. So, I wanted to be able to take it apart if I ever decide to move it. That Gorilla Glue is pretty permanent.
I want to get a piece of foam or something to put between the tank and the stand. Any suggestions on what to use or where to get it?
Next step... on to the sump!
Dave
Most boards are connected with deck screws and Gorilla Glue. I did use bolts to attach the legs since there is no way I can fit this through a doorway. So, I wanted to be able to take it apart if I ever decide to move it. That Gorilla Glue is pretty permanent.
I want to get a piece of foam or something to put between the tank and the stand. Any suggestions on what to use or where to get it?
Next step... on to the sump!
Dave
dbartkow
New member
Pump for sump
Pump for sump
I am finally getting back to this project after a busy summer. I will be putting in the baffles on my 55 gallon sump this week, but I thought I should get the pump sized for it first. Anybody have an recommendations for a pump? What do I have to consider when selecting one?
Thanks,
Dave
Pump for sump
I am finally getting back to this project after a busy summer. I will be putting in the baffles on my 55 gallon sump this week, but I thought I should get the pump sized for it first. Anybody have an recommendations for a pump? What do I have to consider when selecting one?
Thanks,
Dave
Henry Colf
New member
You could go with either type of lighting, depends on how much money you want to tie up in lighting. If you went with 2 175 or 250 watt m/h with the lumenarc reflectors you should be all set. I don't think you would need a higher wattage bulb due to the depth of the tank. JMO. As far as a return pump try to find one that doesn't heat up your water any more than it will from the lighting and the power heads. I run an OR 6500 uses less watts than a mag drive,runs cooler as well a good pump for the money in my opinion.
dbartkow
New member
I am now thinking about going with MH lighting just so I can hang the lights and be able to look down on the tank. A couple of you guys have recommended the Lumenarc reflectors. Do you think I can get away with one reflector or should I have one on each side of the tank? If I go with one, the center brace will diffuse some of the light, but I can just use that area for corals that require less light.
Dave
Dave
dbartkow
New member
Finally making some decent progress now. I have put the glass baffles in for my 55 gallon sump. The skimmer is all set and ready to go and now I am working on the plumbing. I should have that all wrapped up by the end of this week.
Here is a picture of the sump
I also drilled all the holes and installed the bulkheads for the overflow and returns. Here are the latest shots of the frag tank.
Here is a picture of the sump
I also drilled all the holes and installed the bulkheads for the overflow and returns. Here are the latest shots of the frag tank.
cardiffgiant
Active member
Lookin good!!
What kind of return pump is that, and what is that on its intake?
What kind of return pump is that, and what is that on its intake?
cardiffgiant
Active member
I didn't know that the bigger mags came with the big basket screen. Pretty funky. Do you plan on using it?
I had a dragonette for 3 years. Just last week it found its way into the sump (I still can't quite figure out how that happened) and got sucked into my return pump. I kind of wish I had screen like that for the return pump.
I had a dragonette for 3 years. Just last week it found its way into the sump (I still can't quite figure out how that happened) and got sucked into my return pump. I kind of wish I had screen like that for the return pump.
cardiffgiant
Active member
Thanks 
I think that I solved my problem. I took some of those green plastic netted sleeves that liquor stores put around wine bottles and fastened those to the intakes in my overflow.
Then I had a couple of glasses of the wine. I prefer beer, but it didn't seem to offer a solution to this particular dilemma.
I think that I solved my problem. I took some of those green plastic netted sleeves that liquor stores put around wine bottles and fastened those to the intakes in my overflow. Then I had a couple of glasses of the wine. I prefer beer, but it didn't seem to offer a solution to this particular dilemma.
Steve Canyon
New member
I only wish I could have one of these babies in my office! I don't think I would get much real work done at all though. Great workmanship throughout the project. Keep it coming! You know the folk on this site want pics and more pics!
captain7359
Active member
Finally making some decent progress now. I have put the glass baffles in for my 55 gallon sump. The skimmer is all set and ready to go and now I am working on the plumbing. I should have that all wrapped up by the end of this week.
Here is a picture of the sump
Dave, instead of just bypassing water back to the fump with the valve on the right, you can use that to feed the skimmer. That would also eliminate another powerhead/pump in the system dedicated to the skimmer. Also make sure you get the pipe wet before you try pushing it into the uniseal on the skimmer body. The uniseals don't like to let the pipe slide when they are dry.
Is that 3/4" or 1" piping you're using? If it's 3/4 you going to loose at least 100 gph according to the headloss calculator. The mags don't like to be restricted much.
Everything looks great though.
