Maroun.c Frag Setup
by
, 05-10-2011 at 11:57 AM (2353 Views)
As if I wasn't busy enough with the 390 G Tank build, I'm also starting the build of a fragging setup in my basement.
Initial plan and objective of the setup is to provide a backup of my prized corals which is not inline with the tank. So that if disaster strikes I will not have to start from scratch.
I will also use the setup to share trade or sell frags to fellow reefers instead of continuously fragging my colonies, as after the move they'll be placed in the new tank with enough room to grow before they need to be fragged again. This will allow my corals to shape up more naturally and faster.
After That the target would be to turn it a bit commercial to try to offset some of the tank running expense. Wouldn't have any space limitation to grow the setup up bigger with bigger tanks added later on if the initial experience proves that such project has reasonable potential in the country or region.
You'll notice lots of DIY and less expensive alternatives at least at the early stage of the setup as I'm trying to keep this low budget. Still would definilty upgrade to whatever is needed that might affect the safety or stability of the setup.
Enough talk here's the initial plan and as always open to your suggestions:
Starting plan. Explains the reason to start the project at the time where I'm very busy with the 390 G build. I will place the Coral quarantine, fish introduction tank and fish Quarantine on the stand. Eventualy those will move elsewhere in the basement after it's fully constructed and furnished so this way they won't have to be moved if they're int he way:
Frag tank 1:
-288 L (85G) DIY Tank
Yes this will be the biggest tank I've ever built myslef, still it's not like its a huge tank...
130x60x40 cm 52"x24"x16"
10mm (0.4") glass.
-Lighting will be DIY T5s with individual reflectors or maybe a T5 fixture.
-Flow will experiment with an idea I have in mind using a 1" SCWD I picked up on my last trip to the states to see what I can get and if that fails will go with some wavemaker... won't be going CL so will experiment with an over the back loop circulation with the main pump in the sump and pushing water in the SCWD which will divert the flow to one of 2 outputs on the sides of the tank. Theoratically this should provide me with a Rt to left surge followed by a LT to right surge. something along the pics on following link with mabe an additional outlet from each side to the other side or maybe 2 outlets from each side to the other.
http://www.3iqventures.com/installation7.html
The SCWD should handle up to 3500 GPH (13000 LPH) So much more than I need. More on this later on...
-Frags will go on eggcrate not sure if I should have a stair like shelve or a straight one and how high from tank bottom.
In a second stage the Fish and coral introduction tanks will be taken off to a final location and I will add a frag Tank2 336L (90G) tank with external overflow on top of 1st Frag tank.
The fish Quarantine tank on bottom rigth might either be taken out and replaced by a fuge or 3rd small frag tank or I might just remove the small sump and go with a larger one...
I'm starting with following for sump:
160L (42G) sump
80x50x40 cm 32"x20"x16"
Classic Skimmer, return Fuge partition.
Automatic top off with a Kent float valve for a start (might switch to an electrical one in case of issues)