Keith's Frag Tank / Coral Propagation Tank Build

[Sniperhank]

Why co2 in a frag tank? I thought it was only applicable to fw planted tanks.

[Keithhjs]

Originally Posted by Sniperhank

Why co2 in a frag tank? I thought it was only applicable to fw planted tanks.

For a calcium reactor to dissolve the aragonite media inside.

[Sniperhank]

Good call. Forgot about that bit.

[Keithhjs]

Lights mounted and the stand for the 55 gal framed and water sealed. The 55 gal has been drilled and the bulkheads installed. Just waiting for some fittings to show up Monday & then I can start piping the systems.

[Zactheninja]

That looks sweet! Epic progress!

[Keithhjs]

Originally Posted by Zactheninja

That looks sweet! Epic progress!

Thanks, man!

[Keithhjs]

Got all four of my sch 80 PVC bulkheads installed tonight. Swapped them for the old ABS ones that came with the tank. Was dirty work as the holes needed to increase size by about 1/4" each. Lot of grinding away Well worth it IMHO as the PVC ones are much sturdier.
Next up is washing all three tanks well and connecting everything. Got my plumbing about 65% done already as I was able to prefab a lot of it last Saturday night so the final bit should be pretty straightforward. Target day for water to start cycling is this Saturday but some rain is due this week and that might slow my rinsing out plans lol. Worst case I should be up and running Easter I think.

[bigbanker]

Moving right along! What did you use to enlarge the holes?

[Keithhjs]

Originally Posted by bigbanker

Moving right along! What did you use to enlarge the holes?

I used a jeweler's drill. I don't have a dremel rotary drill yet, jut dremel's oscillating tool. The jewelers drill works just like the dremel and I just used a grinding attachment. Worked very well just made a smell reminiscent of a nail salon, reminded me of when I was a kid and my mom would drag me along there while she had her nails done lol.

[Keithhjs]

Wouldn't ya know another snag. For some reason my tank has bowed in the middle. Maybe from the sun outside while upsidedown it acted as sort of a greenhouse and made the acrylic bow. Idk. Either way my stand is level and smooth and I have a huge gap under the tank. Not quite sure what to do. For now I'm filling it half way up, heating the water (in as much as my heater can without running 24/7) and leaving the lights on in hopes of it settling back into form. Anyone have suggestions that might help? Needless to say I'm not going to plumb everything together yet until I get this remedied.

[Keithhjs]

Tried to take some better pics as the black bottom kinda makes the gap looks exaggerated.

[Sniperhank]

Try a heat lamp to get it back into shape. The weight of the water might help, but even 80 degrees wouldn't be enough IMO. One of those heat guns they use in shops would work too. Can't think of the name, only what my dad called it when I was a kid.

[Keithhjs]

Originally Posted by Sniperhank

Try a heat lamp to get it back into shape. The weight of the water might help, but even 80 degrees wouldn't be enough IMO. One of those heat guns they use in shops would work too. Can't think of the name, only what my dad called it when I was a kid.

Thanks for the advice. I went ahead and finished piping everything up and now I will watch it for a few days and then decide what to do next.

[Keithhjs]

Finally got most of the stuff ready today. Filled the tank with tap water and tested all pumps and the flow rates. Got the egg crate 90% installed. Started filling from my RO/DI unit and will add salt tomorrow hopefully. Got my calcium reactor lid drilled, tapped, and installed the gland for my ph probe. Next on the agenda is mix water, add the powerheads, sand, rocks, hook up the dual reactor, Co2 & calcium reactor, and start cycling! I also need to do something to vent the room as it got humid with only the tank half full and lights on, not even full or at ideal temp. Also I'm going to add a cover to the tank and leave the sump open for gas exchange and hopefully covering the frag tank helps the moisture evaporation slow down a little.

[bigbanker]

Everything looks so good!

I agree the top will help slow down evaporation.where are you putting sand?

[Keithhjs]

I was planning on putting sand in plastic tubs that i can put a lid on underwater when I sell it so I can pull it put without disturbing it much in the 55 gal along with the rock. I need to make some divides in the rubbermaid tub and was planning on some macro in there. I may change my mind and put the macro in the 55 too.

Thanks for the encouragement bigbanker!

[Keithhjs]

Some crummy pics to see. Got ATO installed tonight and had to make a durso for my overflows as I had way too much gurgling. Also had to dial down the bigger return pump as it was feeding too much to the tank and the skimmer. I may add a tee later and shoot some back to the sump, i'll see how it goes for a few days. Made a top for the tank too. Next is to connect the dual & calcium reactors. Oh, & I really need to clean up my mess of wires but that will be later lol.

[Sniperhank]

Looks great so far Keith. If you think that wiring is bad, you should see mine.

[Keithhjs]

Originally Posted by Sniperhank

Looks great so far Keith. If you think that wiring is bad, you should see mine.

Thanks! I bet my DT wire mess would rival yours lol.

[Keithhjs]

Not too much to report tonight. Got my light mounted for the fuge that I put in yesterday. Due to no baffles and the rubbermaid being kinda an odd shape I just used an acrylic box I made & drilled holes all around it to makeshift a perforated "fuge box" lol. Now at least I can see under there ha!