Cheap Closet FragTank Design

[ryancanulla]

Here's a project I did a few weekends ago and I wanted to share. I love that it is plumbed into my main tank, and I don't have to worry about water quality...

Problem: Add a frag tank in the closet behind my tank.

Requirements
Maximize space - (limited space here in fenway)
Must be cheap
Flexible; not permanent
Limit room for error (disaster)
Reduce additional energy.

Here's the design. I upped my return pump (1500 PH) and am running my two phos reactors (phos/carbon), the main return, and this one. The return for the frag tank (any my main display for that matter) is on a "check valve" to reduce in backflow. These are great, everyone should use them! From there it basically flows into the tank through holes drilled in the PVC at the opposite side of the tank. I can control the flow with the ball valve. The "in" flow design is so the PVC sits on the tank, and reduces the amount of glue (permanent) needed for the PVC. I hate being locked into something!

The return is pretty straight forward as well. At this point the key is the washer. Be sure to go to a specialty plumbing store, or the internet (if u don't mind waiting) for these items, as Home Depot won't have what you need. That said, everything else can be purchased there.

I also included I a brace to reduce bowing. I used large zip-ties; one all the way through, and the end only to secure it in on the other side.

Let me know what you think, or if you see ways of making this better!

Materials:
- Storage container (Wallmart)
- PVC, zip-ties, ball valves, hose etc.. (Home Depot)
- Bulkhead Fitting (http://www.plumbingsupply.com/bulkhead.html)
- Check Valve (http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvccheck.html) <- swing

 

[ryancanulla]

Notice how the "in" pumped ball valve is dripping. I tried to keep the connections over the tank, so it drips into the tank. I'll likely glue that one, but I wanted to keep it flexible if I could.





And some of the stuff inside the tank!

 

[Flame Angel]

Talk about thinking outside the tank.

 

[ryancanulla]

Here's my inspiration. I made a few changes...
http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/85-frag-tank-57365.html

 

[Doherty]

Great idea! Looks good as well.
The only thing I should add it thoes sterlite containers are known to be very, very weak/brittle. If any disruption in the container, they can and prob will shatter and all your goodies would be on the floor. IMO I would swap that container for a rubbermaid one. They make " heave duty" ones that I have used for temp storage for livestock. And you could have gotten one for cheaper than what u paid for that one.

With that being said good job, great idea.

 

[Doherty]

Here is one similar to the one I have used. I know ascetically not a pleasing to the eye as the clear one, but as you said, it is a closet frag tank. It will do the job, you may have to brace it similar to the way as that tank, but the rubbermaid container is better suited for it. Hope this helps.

http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/...e=Storage&SubcatId=Roughneck&Prod_ID=RP091418

 

[JayM]

I'm going to agree with Matt here, both because I had a sterilite split on me, and because I still use the rubbermade ones to temporarily house stuff.

 

[ryancanulla]

Hmmm. Thanks for the heads up.

I had originally thought of sitting this inside of another one, to help with the pressure on the side walls... The problem with the Rubbermaid is the sizing... They all seemed to be too deep/bulky for my application.

I'm certainly going to make sure this thing doesn't crack. I had that happen with a sump where the baffle wasn't given room to expand with the constant contact with water...

Let me look online and see if I can find something my size ( > 13" D & >36"L )

 

[s_kelley]

Maybe just double it up or something.

 

[ryancanulla]

Yeh, I'll probably double it up, for now. That said, I just ordered a diamond hole saw, and another bulkhead for the next weekend I have nothing to do! I can use a 30 gal breeder, which is within my sizing limitations.

 

[Doherty]

That would make an awesome frag tank!

 

[rusty18]

If you put some teflon tape on the pipe going into the ballvalve it might stop the drip.

Selling the scolly? pm me if so.

 

[DoctaQ]

hey ryan, looked pretty good here
didnt think about it till later but do you have enough flow in there?

 

[ryancanulla]

Yeh I think so. The return is split from a 1500GPH pumps. I also have a powerhead in there.

That said, I'm waiting for my bit, and I'm gonna do a glass one.