Well after several designs and several weeks of prep and collecting the right materials I completed my frag tank today. I used a 37GAL acrylic tank that I cut the back off, which now becomes the top. I used a piece of acrylic I got from Lowes and used silicone to seal it over the original top to create the new front of the tank. I used 3 bulk head for flow; one hook to a spraybar at the bottom of the tank, another to a Locline spray fan and the last to a Oceans Motions spout that changes direction each time the Oceans Motions 3 way sends the flow. The return is 1.5 that feeds into my sump for my display tank. The flow bulkheads are 1.25. I used eggcrate for the frag racks, and so far they work great. I taped into my sump for the return with a 1.5 bulkhead and it feeds a Little Giant 3MDQ-SC, 640GPH to the Oceans Motions 3 way. I already can tell I want to upgrade the return pump some time, flow is good but not enough IMHO! I am using a AquaMedic 250W 14K MH and soon I am going to add a 2X75 Actnic VHO. Here are some pictures, enjoy!

What a great idea! (cutting out the back).

If you ever decide you'd like to seal the new front, permanently, LMK. I have some Weld On

wow, let me know when you are selling

Looks really nice, Is that a Giant Plate coral in the 7th picture?

Yep..it's a green fugia plate. Nursing it back to health, recently took it out of my display tank hoping it would heal in the frag tank.

Awesome! Top quality job+++

Agreed very nice job.

WOW!!!!!!!!!

that is Quality Craftsmanship!!

After some consideration I think I am going with a single return and a CLS for the other 2 returns. The flow is not what I want and I have a Iwaki pump laying around that would work fine for a CLS. Now I just have to figure out where to drill another bulkhead. I already have 4 holes drilled in the back, will another dramatically decrease the integrity of the acrylic? Thanks for the help in advance!

After looking at the CLS Melv built on his site I am going to go with that design. Don't want to drain the tank to drill another bulkhead, just have to clamp off the tubing while I switch everything out!

Did you drill the tank yourself?

Yes..but it's acrylic so it was quite simple.

After looking at the CLS Melv built on his site I am going to go with that design. Don't want to drain the tank to drill another bulkhead, just have to clamp off the tubing while I switch everything out!


Melev's closed loop design works well on smaller tanks (smaller pumps). I used the same type design for several years and still have my closed loop running on one of my 22g frag tanks.

I ended up using just vinyl tubing for the plumbing runs, I used an old spraybar for the intake and then an old return nozzle for the return back to the tank.

Looks good Mark... Nice controller you've got mounted on the cube stand. :D

You might want to take Mike up on his offer of weld-on, from what I've read silicone can pull away from acrylic over time. I have seen a GE 100% silicone product at Home Depot by the acrylic sheets that said it was made for acrylic, I'm going to try it on my sump baffles for my 54gal.

Now you just need to fill it up.


David

Thanks everyone! Dave...I used the GE 100% silicone and it is working great. Hopefully I won't be posting up that it failed, but I used almost a whole tube installing the front piece. I am sure it will hold for a long time. Tank is up and running with lots of frags!

Updated Frag Tank pictures. Between all the recent additions and some nice catches off the net my frag tank is looking quite full!

when a frag tank is full you could always sell!!

looks great. time to start selling ...

Wow! :wow2: nice set up! Frags look great too!

Mark, where do you do most of your net shopping?

Looks good! :)

Why did you change out the light. It was a 250 Aqua medic and then it was some other light in the later pics.

I must say Mark, your nicest work yet. Cheers to you.

Mark, where do you do most of your net shopping?

Zoanuts, Elite Reefs, Ebay and some great deals from fellow ARC members!


Why did you change out the light. It was a 250 Aqua medic and then it was some other light in the later pics.

I put the 250W on my 30 Cube, deeper tank that can take advantage of the higher wattage. I put the 150W 2X65 Actnics on the frag tank. I have been meaning to put my 2X75W VHO actnics on the cube but I think now they are going on a pure softies tank with a 70W or 150W MH. Here's some start up pictures!

Hurry, unplug that heater as it isn't completely submerged!!! :)

I had my 20GAL sump going for a while and I had an old wire coil heater in it. And guess what happened after letting the water level get too low. Dang thing busted! I'll keep a much better eye on this one. I have a top-off system I bought from Brain I need to install!

I am really digging the old school "Metaframe" tank! :thumbs:

Yeah...I was going to sell it on Ebay for a butt load of $ but decided to keep ti myself. I do have a 20GAL Metaframe I am looking to part with if anyone is interested!

Cool setup Mark I can't wait to come check that out for myself.