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 (http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php/head-loss-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.

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc401/Budgieboy21/6A5D1739-BBB6-45BD-B858-C8D8993CCA08-1155-000001416049DB5E.jpg

[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.

[ConnorG]

I think the lights have 2 separate switch on them for white and blue lights sodaytime is white night is blue.

[firebirdude]

I think it's going to be the loudest overflow ever made.

[ConnorG]

How can I make is quieter? Can I add another hole and make kind of a hernia type over flow?

[ConnorG]

Top down view

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc401/Budgieboy21/A4F2B3BC-F17C-4F70-86E3-5A6E5D92D97B-1155-000001416C8BC775.jpg

[ConnorG]

Just found out that my light will get here tomarrow and the rest of the goodies will be here on Friday! :)

[ConnorG]

So my light came today and I took some pictures!!!!! I plan on suspending it about a foot from the water level via a custom PVC hanger that will rest on the stand and come up and over the tank which then I will hang the lights from.
Blue lights only
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc401/Budgieboy21/21E0F561-36B4-4CE8-B752-718B4099245C-3277-000002DB24628DAB_zps6a310f3c.jpg

White lights only:
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc401/Budgieboy21/48AFDF56-0088-44B6-8F19-1EB33BB90381-3277-000002DB2A731AE1_zpsd4e1116e.jpg

Hope you enjoy!

[JSeymour]

Believe me, I've looked at storage totes and thought, "How can I make that an aquarium?" Can it be done, yes. It's just not very practical. They aren't very strong and get brittle when exposed to water and UV. With only six gallons of water that equals out to 48 lb of continuous strain on a material that literally get weaker by the day. By sumping it, you now have a piece of pipe with water in it hanging from a bulkhead, putting even more strain on one side. Its just a recipe for disaster. For just slightly more money you can buy a ten gallon and have it drilled or buy a carbide hole saw and drill it yourself. You'll loose some surface area, but it would be well worth it. Or spend even a little more and get a 20 long.

[ConnorG]

Thats really disappointing as I just ordered $30 worth of plumbing parts for the Rubbermaid right now.

Anyways 20 longs are tempered so they cannot be drilled could I just use a hob filter?

[ConnorG]

I really like the shallow look of a frag tank and I really like the containers is there any way to make them saltwater safe? Or more sturdy?

[jlobes]

all sorts of manufacturers have short "frag tanks".

[ConnorG]

all sorts of manufacturers have short "frag tanks".

Lie who?

[ricepow]

Better tell all the people that drilled their 20L tanks that they are tempered.

[ConnorG]

Picked up a 20 long today and scratched the rubbermaidbcontainer idea. Might as well do it right.

[BayouCorals]

Picked up a 20 long today and scratched the rubbermaidbcontainer idea. Might as well do it right.

I think you made a wise choice. If you went for the T5s then then a 20L vs a Rubbermaid was an easy decision. The large Rubbermaid tubs are made to hold water. That one was for dry goods. I have used the small rubber maids to hold rock and water, but nothing of value. Good luck with the project.

[ConnorG]

Now what power heads would you suggest? I'm not lookin to spent a fortune just to do the trick :)

[JSeymour]

If I remember right, you said it would be for mostly sps frags. So your two requirements are high flow and low cost. The Hydor Evolutions sound like they would fit your bill, either two 550($21) or two 750($23). All of the new Hydors are designed to be turned on and off with basic timers, so you can create a nice alternating flow for very little money without destroying the pumps.

[ConnorG]

If I remember right, you said it would be for mostly sps frags. So your two requirements are high flow and low cost. The Hydor Evolutions sound like they would fit your bill, either two 550($21) or two 750($23). All of the new Hydors are designed to be turned on and off with basic timers, so you can create a nice alternating flow for very little money without destroying the pumps.

I already have a korilia wave maker as well so that will be good!:) and I also built a light rack that rests on the desk it is on and I am very proud of it! Especially due to the fact that I didn't have a plan. It is VERY sturdy! I hope you guys like! Also here is a photo of the tank, the each is gonna he lowered about and inch maybe or I may keep it where it's at an also the filter is gonna be joined with another hob filter fit for a 20 gallon. The power head will not stay in there it's just a backup for my 75 gallon and was used to mix the water in the tank. Any ways enjoy!::

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc401/Budgieboy21/807AC951-5117-4987-A393-D5904E53036D-1248-000000DAF49CF515_zps6b3f4c36.jpg
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc401/Budgieboy21/6B0D6D40-2F90-421E-B1C5-12A9B56FA22A-1248-000000DAFA25C1EB_zps60937d96.jpg
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc401/Budgieboy21/6A098A08-1169-4E32-9615-8F9A86ABFC6B-1248-000000DAFF6F7116_zpsa74b0481.jpg

[ConnorG]

What do you guys think!!!??

[rkesling]

are you plumbing this into a main tank or will this be a standalone?

I also hope that PVC light holder is glued together for safety reasons.

[BayouCorals]

Be sure to set up an auto top off system. If this is a stand alone system then keeping the salinity stable could be a problem. I like your light rack.

[ifrizk]

what pump did you go with?

[ConnorG]

This is a stand alone and I went with 2 korilia evolution 550. And will do thanks!

[ConnorG]

My lfs recommended one fish to help keep the wast of food down in the tank and stuff like that so I was thinking a damsel. Would that be ok to do?

[BayouCorals]

I would recommend a fish that would be more helpful. A wrasse would help with potential pest control. A tang would help with algae control.

[BayouCorals]

I would recommend a fish that would be more helpful. A wrasse would help with potential pest control. A tang would help with algae control.

I forgot this was a 20 gallon tank. That is way to small for a Tang.

[likefish]

please keep this thread updated. Seems like an inexpensive option for a frag/growout tank. Curious to hear about your sucess

[ConnorG]

So we had a slight problem, the wrasse in the 75 was bullying everybody so the frag tank ha turned into a holding tank:)

[reef kid96]

a fish you could use for that tank to keep algae in check is a lawnmower blenny.

[ConnorG]

Ok I have kind of an emergency. I need to turn this "frag tank" into a quarantine tank to treat 3 fish I have with ich. How would I do that cuz right now I have a fairy wrasse that's soo stressed out cuz he was chased around my 75 for an hour and a half trying to take him out out because he bullied the 3 fish into having ich! Anyways he is in the 20 and I would like to keep him but i don't know where to put him cuz he can stay in the 20 and he can't go to the 75. Anyways after I find a place for him to go then what? Do I basically start the tank over and keep the whole thing just bare? Do I use the filter that's in the 20 right now? Does it hurt the fish? Sirry for all the questions but I also hear and read one more thing. I heard that copper treatment shortens the life and weakens their immune system making them more susceptible to ick more often is that a myth or is it true? Thanks!

[jlfalin]

I am going through a similar problem with my new tank. I removed my one fish from my tank (he died because the ich was too advanced and I stressed him by putting him in a new tank to treat). After removing the fish I plan on leaving the aquarium fish free for 60 days (roughly two life cycles for ich) which has been shown to give a 99.9% "cure" rate for the tank. I will then only introduce fish or other livestock to the tank that have been properly quarantined to ensure no outside water enters my tank. I would recommend the same for you, try to get the fish out and treat them in a QT tank. I would then leave the tank fish free for a while to ensure the ich is dead. I would not turn your 20 into a QT tank. I am super paranoid about contamination and would be afraid that the meds used to treat ich would later adversely affect your coral when trying to grow frags. A cheap 10 gallon should work or for short term a Rubbermaid tote. If you do set up a QT tank I would put no sand or rock in there so that the ich has no porous place to "hide". I would also put a sponge in there that has been allowed to soak in your main tank to transfer bacteria. I would also start the QT tank with your DT water to keep the chemistry all the same to minimize stress. In addition to all of that make sure you put something in your QT tank for the fish to hide in to feel more comfortable. I typically use large PVC unions or elbows so that they can go in and hide. I know I kind of went on about this, hopefully it makes since. If not let me know and I will try to make it a little clearer.

[ConnorG]

I have a total of 9 fish including a tang who is happy and healthy so I can't quarantine all of them in a 10 gallon.

[ConnorG]

I have it figured out but would the tank be ok in the 20 long he is 4.5 inches roughly and do I HAVE to take out the goby and pistol shrimp? It's a randals goby.

[ConnorG]

Bump? Anyone? Suggestions are appreciated!:)

[xdannyxrocksx]

For quarantine purposes he would be fine. It is more of them living in a small space long term that stresses them. LFS's do not have every tang they have in a 75+ tank, this is because for short term they are fine. When I say short term I don't mean the usual, "oh i will be upgrading to a bigger tank soon" For quarantine though the smaller you can go the better, and i think for a tang a 20g is fine. That is my two cents though.