Shallow tank ideas.... "Display frag tank"

[Mr Cob]

Purpose: to support my tank move of my 144 in a couple of months. This tank will be setup to hold my corals for a few months while I move and perform some maintenance to my 144. In the end it will serve as a display frag tank. I enjoy collecting and fragging corals and would like to have a display tank that is a frag tank.

It would have a nice stand and canopy and serve as a piece of furniture just as any other display tank....The frag rack would also be centered and mounted into the tank with foam on both the bottom and back. The frag plugs would all be uniform and the rack would most likely be acrylic.

Basically, the idea would be to showcase "fragging". The lights would be more blue as well....20k range and blue leds.


I'm thinking...."shallow"

100 Long, 72 x 18 x 17 tall
95 Wide, 48 x 24 x 17 tall
75 Long, 72 x 18 x 13 tall
Any thoughts on these dimensions and this concept?

[txg8gxp]

Sounds like a good plan, I would think as a frag tank the 95 would be nice...and alittle less lighting.

[ramsey]

You should talk to aquasport24. He has an AMAZING shallow tank. It's basically a gigantic shallow cube and it's impressive to say the least.

[txg8gxp]

That is a great tank, 4x4x2 I think

[RayAllen]

Rob when I lived in Kansas City I purchased the 125g 72x24x17 from glasscages and loved it. the 17" hieght is really cool, and the price isnt bad either. They also have a 100g wide 72x24x13

Look forward to the build.

[txg8gxp]

72x24x13 would be awesome...

[Europhyllia]

I can see 17" being fun and shallow enough. 13" just seems so limiting

[jrsatx20]

2 250 de would work great over that 95

[ReefOne]

I'd do the 95. Lit with 2x250's in Lumenbright mini's

[kkiel02]

Vote for 95 here also. I think that would be a sweet frag tank.

[allan]

I like the 95 as well.

Are you gonna keep it when you're done with the move/maintenance?

I'd like to volunteer additional arms and a good back for the labor when it comes to it should you need/want it.

[Mr Cob]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

Good point Karin....while cool, the 13" might be kind of hard to work with.

I'm also liking the dimensions on that 95g.

Allan, yes, I plan to keep it even after moving everything back into the 144g. That's probably the only interest in having so much thought and discussion on it.

[txav8r]

Glad to see Allan volunteer to help move! Last time you moved you picked the skinniest guy on MAAST to help you move the 144. LOL

[Mr Cob]

Oh yeah, thanks Allan, Jack and I could use a break this time around...lol

Jack, I picked the skinniest guy on MAAST to help me because you were the only person I was bigger than. It made me feel strong. HAHA! Enough of that....I'm out for the big boys this time around!

I met Ramsey yesterday....he's strong. I'll volunteer him too :) Between Ramsey and Allan we should be able to sit back and chill.

[txav8r]

Perfect! That sounds like a well laid plan.

[allan]

sit back and chill... as long as you're dressing beers or BBQing some kabobs I'm fine with that. :D Or even dogs and chill(i)...

[Mr Cob]

Alright...I put in the call for a custom 95g RR with an island overflow as my first choice with one drain hole (bottom of glass) and two returns coming up through the overflow. 48" x 24" x 17".

I requested the stand to be 48" tall. Comments on this height? I was thinking a tall stand would be nice since the tank is shallow. Do you think I'm going too tall on the stand?

Thanks...any comments welcomed.

[Europhyllia]

I did the armpit test when I was trying to figure out my new tank stand. My tank is 29" tall and my stand is 32" for a total of 61.
That seemed perfect for me.
As long as you are okay with the added challenge of maintaining a tank that high up I think the viewing of a tank at 65" would be very nice! (not as much bending over to stare at stuff)

[Mr Cob]

^Thanks for the info Karin. This tank would be much easier to maintain even at that height in comparison to my 144....it's tough getting to the bottom of that tank (also 29"). At least this one I could use my hand and reach the bottom and not have to use a tool of some sort as I do now....I would just need a step ladder...no big deal there.

I was really just concerned with it looking funny...but as you said it would probably put the tank at a perfect height for viewing. I too hate bending over to view a tank. It's like all of our tank stands were created for couch viewing only.

[allan]

Rob, come over. I built a 12" pedestal for my tank to give us natural guys the chance to look in without breaking our backs.

I don't think there's anything goofy about it. The bottom of the tank is as tall as the proximal femur bone (lol, don't even know what I just said. It's to the top of my leg bone). The top of the glass is to my shoulder. I use a step laser for maintenance. Never liked the shorty.

Really dude, you've been promising and I think it's about time you came over to get a free frag of cyano.

[Mr Cob]

You crack me up man. I'll be in touch...soon, promise! HAHA!

[aquasport24]

Why are you going for one drain and two returns? i think it alot safer with two drains IMO.

[txav8r]

Rob, come over. I built a 12" pedestal for my tank to give us natural guys the chance to look in without breaking our backs.

I don't think there's anything goofy about it. The bottom of the tank is as tall as the proximal femur bone (lol, don't even know what I just said. It's to the top of my leg bone). The top of the glass is to my shoulder. I use a step laser for maintenance. Never liked the shorty.

Really dude, you've been promising and I think it's about time you came over to get a free frag of cyano.


Man! I have always wanted a step laser!!! You government guys get all the good stuff!

[allan]

Jack, what can I say? It's won of the percs of military service. Bazinga!

[Mr Cob]

Why are you going for one drain and two returns? i think it alot safer with two drains IMO.

Thanks for pointing that out Giau. I was only wanting one overflow...guess I could do a large one with 2 drains...?

[ramsey]

Oh yeah, thanks Allan, Jack and I could use a break this time around...lol

Jack, I picked the skinniest guy on MAAST to help me because you were the only person I was bigger than. It made me feel strong. HAHA! Enough of that....I'm out for the big boys this time around!

I met Ramsey yesterday....he's strong. I'll volunteer him too :) Between Ramsey and Allan we should be able to sit back and chill.

Don't let my size fool you. I have dainty typing hands that weren't designed for manual labor. :P I'm down for a tank move!

[BIGBIRD123]

Rob,
I would have 2 - 1-1/2" drains and a 1" return to a 3/4" "Y" and dual nozzles. Draining the water out is a greater need than getting it back. Using the 1" to 3/4" will work just fine. The dual drains give you many options for return pumps.

[Mr Cob]

^Thx Steve. I like that configuration.

[Mr Cob]

Steve.....

2 x 1.5" drains
1 x 1" return to 3/4" Y ......when you say "...and dual nozzles" are you also saying another Y at the end of each of the tips on the first Y or are you just refering to the first Y when you say dual nozzles? So, a total of 2 return nozzles or 4?

Gonna call again in a couple of hours to update my request...but want to make sure I understand the proposed configuration. Anyone else can comment as well. PLEASE.

Please remember that I only want one overflow drain from top to bottom of tank with the drains and returns inside the box. Hope that makes sense. Just a standard overflow but in the middle of the tank. Island style.

Thanks.

[Kristy]

Hey Rob,

We've had a couple of tanks with that same plumbing configuration (not island or peninsula, but I think the plumbing should basically work the same, just different placement). Most Calfo overflows go with two drain holes in the box, which is good for Murphy's law and snails, and then a return with the Y loc-line nozzle.

I think Steve is referring to one Y and a total of two loc-line nozzles returning flow. That is what I recall seeing on his tank and what we have in our 210g, etc.

[Mr Cob]

Perfect. Thanks for chiming in...that’s what I was thinking but I frequently tend to over analyze and can easily take a basic concept or idea and confuse myself.

[RayAllen]

Glad to see Allan volunteer to help move! Last time you moved you picked the skinniest guy on MAAST to help you move the 144. LOL

LOL, if you are skinnier than me. You are skinny!

Looking forward to seeing the 95 rob. Ive always wanted a island overflow myself. Rob let me know if you need another pair of hands. If nothings going on at the time id love to help.

[Mr Cob]

Ok, was being very hopeful for the island overflow...but thinking I might go with the Peninsula style. Still not sure though....

The main reason for the Island was to keep the flow going around the tank and to limit dead spots....It will be bare bottom...well kind of...the bottom and back will be foam. The foam will be thick too for pressing frag plugs into. No live rock in the display. Only frags, frag rack and foam.

Most people only use island if they have the tank viewable from all sides...not the case here. I wanted it for increased flow. Limit dead spots.

Any thoughts?

[Mr Cob]

Ok, what if I go 4 holes....2 drain and 2 return all in the island overflow? What configuration would I use now?

[Europhyllia]

will the closed loop be your only source of flow?

[Mr Cob]

will the closed loop be your only source of flow?

No. I'm a koralia junky.

[Mr Cob]

2 x 1.5" drains
2 x 1" returns to 3/4" Y loc-line nozzles

??? Same format basically that Steve suggested... just added another return with Y locline.

[Mr Cob]

Ok, just got off the phone....I'm going to need to keep holes kind of standard:

2 x 1" drains
2 x 3/4" returns

only because they have pre-built pvc return lines and bulkheads that I can purchase.....that match those sizes. I really don't want to have to do that myself.

I hope this works well. I'm not concerned with flow here...I just need the water to go down and back up...lol.

[txav8r]

Ok, just got off the phone....I'm going to need to keep holes kind of standard:

2 x 1" drains
2 x 3/4" returns

only because they have pre-built pvc return lines and bulkheads that I can purchase.....that match those sizes. I really don't want to have to do that myself.




DING DING DING!!! WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!

Keep it standard. 2 x 1" drains, 2 x 1 1/2" returns.

[Mr Cob]

DING DING DING!!! WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!

Keep it standard. 2 x 1" drains, 2 x 1 1/2" returns.

LOL.

Ok, thanks Jack.

They told me 3/4" return was standard for this tank size. Will that not work?

[txav8r]

I goofed. I meant 3/4 not 1" Thats what I get for being a smarty pants :(

[Mr Cob]

lol, ok. Perfect. Thanks.

Did you see my stand size? 48" high. Whatcha think about that?

[txav8r]

Love it. I hate bending over to look in tanks. It's not that hard to grab a stool if you need to get in the tank. I've seen you balance on top of a step ladder on one foot wearing a flip-flop. You are more than capable of operating from a stool.

[Europhyllia]

2 x 1" drains
2 x 3/4" returns

only because they have pre-built pvc return lines and bulkheads that I can purchase.....that match those sizes. I really don't want to have to do that myself.

I am doing exactly the same myself for the new tank for the same reason: standard 1" drains and 3/4" returns so I can just use the standard plumbing kits...

[Mr Cob]

My thoughts exactly Jack. I always love when I'm digging in the tank when someone is over, one tip toe on the rail of the step ladder and I feel a hand grip my ankle!

Thanks, Karin. This will definitely simplify things. I have pieced together my own plumbing before and it was a nightmare...ask Giau. lol. I'm all for the "kits"!

[txav8r]

[FONT=Tahoma]My thoughts exactly Jack. I always love when I'm digging in the tank when someone is over, one tip toe on the rail of the step ladder and I feel a hand grip my ankle!


I still get a kick out of it!

[Mr Cob]

Pretty....I want some.....

These would definitely complete my look of showcasing frags.

http://www.stevesreef.com/frag__racks.html

http://www.stevesreef.com/Pictures/mini-DSC_0291.JPG

[txav8r]

Those are nice! simple but stylish. DIY or you going to order them?

[Mr Cob]

I sent him an email to see what he charges. Guess we'll see. I like the configuration in the pic but only one middle rack instead of two and about 4" higher than the lower racks. One set on each side of the island overflow.

If he's too expensive for me I will start thinking about a custom DIY project...perhaps wrapping around the island overflow. That would be cool.

[Mr Cob]

Still waiting for a quote on my tank. I asked for a quote on:

95g 48" x 24" x 17" H
RR with island overflow, 2 drainholes at 1" and 2 return holes at 3/4"
Mahogany oak stand (48" H) and canopy

I'm thinking about going 15" H on the tank instead of 17". I know it's only a 2" difference but I really want it to be shallow. 13" seems too shallow for me and 17" does not hit shallow enough for me. I think. It won't really effect the cost much so doesn't really matter. I just need to decide.

Any thoughts?

[Mr Cob]

glass cages has the wrong volume on that 95g w. This calculator says it would be 85g. Dropping 2 inches in "H" will make it 75g.

...or the calculator is wrong.

http://animal-world.com/encyclo/information/calculate.htm

[Mr Cob]

Looks like I requested an 85g. 48 x 24 x 17

48 x 24 x 17 = 85g
48 x 24 x 15 = 75g
48 x 24 x 13 = 65g