Rubber maid frag tank :)

[ConnorG]

I am starting this thread based off the thread from 3reef forums. What I am doing is building a drag tank around a Rubbermaid container. So far I have:

-8 gallon Rubbermaid storage container (about 6 inches deep)
-20 pounds "live" San sitting in a bucket in my garage from my old 24 gallon
-couple pounds of live Rick from the sump of my 75

I am still thinking about weather I want to put a 10 gallon elbow or say a 5 gallon. I was thinking a 10 gallon because it gives more water volume as well as more room for rock and possibly a small skimmer but here is my second question: How will I drain the water drain from the drag tank to the "sump"? I was going to drill a small hole, say 1/2 inch in the bottom and use a bulkhead but I don't know if they make them that small. Also my other issue I flow. I was thinking a small bio cube power head placed under the rack?

Lighting I was thinking about a 55 watt 50/50 pc pendant light on one side and a dual 24inch t5 light on the other side or maybe just the 55 watt for the whole thing or the t5 for te whole thing I don't know. Any ideas? The rack won't be too low from the water edge so not anything too strong Let me know if you have any ideas

 

[benjaminspades]

Is this workable???

 

[ConnorG]

What do you mean?

 

[benjaminspades]

Can you do this long term is what I mean?

 

[ConnorG]

I plan on it yes I am looking at lights right now as I don't know weater or not the 55 watt is large enough.

 

[ConnorG]

What would you guys suggest for lighting?

 

[ConnorG]

Bump

 

[ConnorG]

Just ordered my lighting I'm going with 4 bulb t5 fixture 94watts total

 

[ConnorG]

What would you guys suggest for flow?

 

[ConnorG]

Any input on flow would be very much appreciated and very helpful because I feel like I'm talking to myself

 

[jlfalin]

Seems like nobody is replying . I would check into the Hydo Koralia pumps. They are small and don't use a lot of power. As for lighting 4x T5 seems a little overkill, what are you trying to grow? For something that small that may have heat issues I would have suggested LED's maybe the AI Nanao or something along those lines. I run the Nano over my 10 gallon and everything is happy and growing right now at 20%.

 

[ConnorG]

I as gonna suspend them a little and a lot of sps and some Los and softies. Thanks by the way!

 

[ConnorG]

I also plan on having 1 korilia nano under the frag rack and that will hopefully bounce off and creat flow everywhere I may order a second if need be and use a wave maker I have laying around.

 

[ConnorG]

Bump?

 

[ConnorG]

If I drilled a 1 1/2 inch hole for an overflow and I use a 3/4" bulkhead and it equals out to 330 gph so should I buy a return pump that is rated for 330gph or why rating should I buy?

 

[jlfalin]

Well if the bulkhead can take 330gph I would go for that or less. Remember any elbow or constriction you put inline with the drain will reduce that 330gph further.

 

[ConnorG]

By how much? If I added 2 elbows? What pump would you recomend?

 

[firebirdude]

Reef Central has a headloss calculator. But keep in mind, that is only a ballpark. Additionally, you should have a ball valve on the output of your return pump so you can scale back the flow if need be. A Maxi-Jet 1200 or 900 would probably work fine as a return pump for you. Easily. Also, it doesn't sound like you've really thought out your overflow. You can't just drill a hole in the bottom of the plastic and slap a bulkhead in there.

In-tank flow is easy. Up to you. Koralias are fine, but one nano isn't much flow at all.

 

[ConnorG]

Here is the "tank" so far. I ordered the bulk head to fit the hole and the valves for both return an overflow. I also hav the 10 gallon for the sump that will be filled with live sand and rock and I am also gonna fill the frag tank with sand a well.

 

[dunedinplankton]

looking eco my friend...i like it 4 t5s is definatly overkill heat shouldnt be a issue with all the surface area a shallow container has...be careful with this material on bulkhead tends to bend which doesnt allow a great seal, should work though.