30 Gallon Softie Frag Tank!!

I think I've got the green light to build a small frag/propagation tank.
Budget: 1500.00

Tank: TBD.. Thinking Glass 36X18X8. Approximately 30 gallons. This is going to be a bare bones system that will sit on top of a counter in my laundry room with a nice access to a drain for easy water changes.

Filtration: Bed of rock rubble + weekly 5 gallon water changes.
NO skimmer NO sump... For now. This is also an experiment.

This will be a starting point. I will add components later if it needs it.

Lights:
36 Inch 4x39 Watt AquaticLife T5 HO Light Fixture w/ 3 Lunar LEDs.



Other Parts:

Reefkeeper lite

4X Hydor's TBD GPH

BRS 5 Stage Chloramines PLUS RO/DI System - 75GPD

Cobalt Aquatics Neo-Therm 100 Watt Aquarium Heater w/ LED Display



Thoughts?

 

I can't comment on the particulars in your setup because I don't have any experience in pure frag tanks but it sounds pretty good to me. Do it! I wanna see it progress and I wouldn't mind learning some info on fragging.

 

Its now a BUILD thread!!

Ordered some custom cut glass from my local glass company.

tank dimensions will be: 48"X18"X10". One side will be drilled for a drain and return for easy water changes and to have the option for a sump. Will DIY the tank.

Also ordered some black acrylic to make a filter compartment IE: surface skimming, hide heater, place for Rubble, ETC


So far 250.00. saved 80 bucks from having the tank custom built from a tank supplier.

 

sounds good!

 

Welcome back 3reef!

Anyways glass came in and had my go with assembly.

Very pleased with the glass company. they did a good job. Everything was polished nicely. A little pricey for drilling holes.

Siliconing the tank wasn't too hard. Making smooth seams was very tough ended up using masking tape to make the bead even.

 

wow, this is a true build thread

 

Placed the order for all the parts today.

For filtration, I am going to tryout the Marinepure ceramic plate. 8x8x4. Maybe some ceramic balls too. should be very easy to keep clean and as bare bottom as possible.

 

This is basically my tank but mine is 12"H and its amazing at 34G total.

 

Sweet! I love the shape of it. I like shallow reef tanks the best. One day I'll make this into a shallow reef tank.

 

Some progress today... Did the plumbing for the CL/drain.. Not happy with the MAG drive 5 Pump. Leaking horribly around the front housing. Tightend it to the max and still leaks. I will try to fix tomorrow or return.

A general idea of the tank location