Benihana's 40B frag tank build!!

[benihana]

OK, I finally got all of the sign off's from my wife. :gay1: and now it is time to get moving! I took the first stab at designing the initial thoughts in Google Sketch up. Nothing much really, but was excited.

Equipment list:
Tank: 40g Breeder, drilled with dual overflows
Sump: 40g Long (48"x13"x16")
Lights: 4 Bulb Tek, hung from the ceiling
Skimmer: Octopus 200 NW
Return Pump: Mag 9.5
Heater: 300w Titanium
Powerheads: 2 modded MJ1200's

That is about all I can think of for now. I have a lot of crap to move out of the way, so I can rearrange my furnace room. My plan is to get start moving things around next Friday, and try to get the stud wall up as well.

[74oldsguy]

Nice. Sounds like you have a solid plan.

[NandKBlock]

That sounds like a whole other reef tank setup, not just a frag tank. :gay1:

[benihana]

That sounds like a whole other reef tank setup, not just a frag tank. :gay1:

Yeah, it is pretty close :gay1:

[benihana]

OK, finally some updates to share with everyone. I was able to clean out the room that the frag tank will be going in and clean out the sump for re-construction. I will be picking up the electrical supplies and the wood to build the stand tomorrow....more projects!! :biggrin:

Here is the room before cleaning (what a mess :gay1:)
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/Frag%20Tank%20Build/IMG_0202.jpg

Here is the room after I cleaned it out. The tank will go along the concrete wall on the left side of the picture, and the R/O and Salt containers will be on the far wall/far right corner
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/Frag%20Tank%20Build/IMG_0203.jpg

And the 40L sump that I got from Dhummel. From left to right, the skimmer will take up about 14-15", the next 24" will be the LR chamber, and the remaining will be a bubble trap and then the return pump. The open 1.2" hole you see will be covered and the existing bulkhead/pvc will be capped.
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/Frag%20Tank%20Build/IMG_0201.jpg

Hope to have more progress to report tomorrow!!

[NAL]

Looks like a good start. I wish I had room for a frag tank.

[Goldpony75]

I would put some rigid foam up between the tank, sump and the concrete wall. This will help keep the heater from running more then needed. You would be amazed at how much heat can be lost to 50-60 degree concrete.

[benihana]

I will pick some up...thanks for the tip!

[benihana]

Ok, progress for today = Cleaning out the sump and siliconing in the glass baffles, going to Menards and getting all of the plumbing, electrical, and building materials, cutting all of the lumber to spec, and building the stand....I am shot and headed to bed. I will try to update with pics tomorrow

[benihana]

Electrical has been 100% re-done...kind of a pain, but worth it. Sump is wet, and skimmer is running to cure the dry rock. I added a decent sized piece from my DT to seed it. Plumbing is 90% done, just have to dry fit the overflows tomorrow.

I did run into one small snag though....I ran out of salt!!:stupid: That is on the list to pick up on Monday

To Do list for tomorrow:
Pictures
Move R/O barrell, and get water running again
Finish plumbing
build eggcrate stands
re-configure the plug-in situation:gay1:
CLEAN UP!!:nuts:

[bkoppes]

That sounds like a whole other reef tank setup, not just a frag tank. :gay1:

Would agree totally!!

Electrical has been 100% re-done...kind of a pain, but worth it. Sump is wet, and skimmer is running to cure the dry rock. I added a decent sized piece from my DT to seed it. Plumbing is 90% done, just have to dry fit the overflows tomorrow.

I did run into one small snag though....I ran out of salt!!:stupid: That is on the list to pick up on Monday

To Do list for tomorrow:
Pictures
Move R/O barrell, and get water running again
Finish plumbing
build eggcrate stands
re-configure the plug-in situation:gay1:
CLEAN UP!!:nuts:

Nice Ben!! Excited to watch the progress. Sounds like a very nice set-up. Can I add one more thing to your list for tomorrow??? Watch the Vikequeens!!

[coralreefer]

Nice! Keep us updated. I am doing something similar myself.

[Dhummel]

looking good so far Ben, glad to the tank came to use for you.
keep the pics coming.

[benihana]

Nice Ben!! Excited to watch the progress. Sounds like a very nice set-up. Can I add one more thing to your list for tomorrow??? Watch the Vikequeens!!

I do plan on taking a break to watch the queens, i hope they don't dissappoint the masses

[old_man_river]

need more pic :gay1:

[benihana]

Recap of today:

Finished the plumbing
moved the RO/DI unit and barrels
bulit the egg crate stands
took some pictures (see below)

From the doorway looking in
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0228.jpg

Left side of sump, skimmer running to cure rock
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0229.jpg

Right side of sump, return pump
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0230.jpg

Plumbing with gate valve to control flow and noise
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0231.jpg

[freshfish]

Nice Ben. Acan heaven:biggrin:

[old_man_river]

looks good ben:beerchug:

[TriggerFreak]

Sweeeeeet!!! How the heck did you talk her in to it?? I could use some tips! :gay1:

[bkoppes]

Sweet Ben. Good work.

[benihana]

Nice Ben. Acan heaven:biggrin:

Exactly!! :biggrin:

and maybe a few echinos and sps too....


I LOVE the new avatar..I actually laughed out loud when I saw it!

[benihana]

Sweeeeeet!!! How the heck did you talk her in to it?? I could use some tips! :gay1:


I pretty much sold my soul:gay1: that and I didn't really stop talking about it AND I aquired so much stuff that my sand bed was over run with frags so it got to the point where SHE even thought it looked like crap....so, I would start there;)

[freshfish]

Exactly!! :biggrin:

and maybe a few echinos and sps too....


I LOVE the new avatar..I actually laughed out loud when I saw it!

I love avatars. There my favorite!!! I laughed out loud too when I seen it.

[freshfish]

I pretty much sold my soul:gay1: that and I didn't really stop talking about it AND I aquired so much stuff that my sand bed was over run with frags so it got to the point where SHE even thought it looked like crap....so, I would start there;)

Nice plan!

[benihana]

Nice plan!

EVERYTHING starts with a plan!!:evillaugh3:

[benihana]

And he said....Let there be LIGHT!!!
It will eventually hanging, but for now, I had to improvise!!

You can see the 2 MJ1200's that will provide plenty of flow:gay1: at the bottom left

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0235.jpg

[freshfish]

And WALLLA!!

[benihana]

yeah, now I just have to be patient and wait for my RO barrel to fill up and then mix up some water............I feel like a kid at christmas

[Dhummel]

sweet...looking nice. where did the 40 gallon come into play.
cant wait to see it with frags!

[Turf]

So wait... maybe I'm missing the post... your going to hang the racks instead of leaving them on the pvc posts? Oh wait your talking about the lights NM

[benihana]

Thanks!

Which 40? The Breeder or the sump? Obviously the 40L I got from you I am using for a sump, and the 40B, I got from This1fish and that is the actual frag tank.

Yeah, I can't wait for it to be filled with frags either:greenguy:

[benihana]

So wait... maybe I'm missing the post... your going to hang the racks instead of leaving them on the pvc posts? Oh wait your talking about the lights NM


Yep...the lights

[old_man_river]

And he said....Let there be LIGHT!!!
It will eventually hanging, but for now, I had to improvise!!

You can see the 2 MJ1200's that will provide plenty of flow:gay1: at the bottom left

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0235.jpg


you need to fill it :gay1:

[Turf]

I'll just pretend there is water in it ;) Make sure you post an updated pic of your actual tank when the frags get moved so we know what it looks like 'clean'

[benihana]

Yeah, I need to update my FTS anyways, so maybe a before & after??? But definately atleast an after

[benihana]

It's Wet!!

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0237.jpg

[coralreefer]

Nice! That was quick!

[Scr3wlo0se]

Looks great......

Off topic quick
are you taking the money and running......

[TriggerFreak]

I got 40g breeders if any of you guys are interested (otherwise I will keep them for my self HAHA) :greenguy:

[storrisch]

I drilled this tank...glad to see it in good use. :beerchug:

[benihana]

Nice! That was quick!

Thanks, I just had to let my RO barrel fill back up

[benihana]

are you taking the money and running......

Nope...how about you? It sure sounds like A LOT of the Sr. Execs are cutting ties though!

[Mikko]

Nope...how about you? It sure sounds like A LOT of the Sr. Execs are cutting ties though!

huh??

[benihana]

BBY offered a voluntary seperation severance package to all corporate employees a few weeks ago, and a few of the VP's took the deal...that's all

[benihana]

Quick update - I have a small yellow tang in the tank right now and will be adding a 6-line and a fox face at the end of the week. I also have a handful of snails, but becasue the algea has gotten so bad, I am getting another 50 snails to help control the algea. I mesh modded & enlarged the air intake for the Octo 200NW a couple nights ago, it seems to help a little, but it is hard to tell because the bi-load is so small.

I did my first water change on it Sunday, and that was NASTY, the water was an off-colored light brown (from all of the algea), definately will have to stay on top of water changes until the diatoms die down.

I am evaping about 1 gallon/day of water, will have to look at getting an ATO as this is much faster than I anticipated for evap.

I have about 7 frags in there as of now, along with a huge Red Brain that will go into my DT once I get all of the frgs moved into here....AND the Algea dies down.


That is all I can think of for updates, I will try to take some pictures in the next few days and update

[Flounder]

Where is the return pump. I dont see it.

[bkoppes]

I did my first water change on it Sunday, and that was NASTY, the water was an off-colored light brown (from all of the algea), definately will have to stay on top of water changes until the diatoms die down.



Ben, we started our frag tanks about the same time. My water is doing the same and the diatoms are in full swing. I have been turkey basting the racks and letting the skimmer pull out the what looks like rust.

Question: Will the diatoms hurt the frags I have in there? Should I pull them and put them in my main tank?

[freshfish]

Hey Ben I just switched out my egg crate and had a hell of an algae bloom on the crate. If you give it a acid bath it helps a ton.

[benihana]

Where is the return pump. I dont see it.
Return pump is on the far right side of this picture. In this picture, the PVC that is going across the tank, is the return pump that is pushing the water back into the skimmer compartment to help get the cycle going on the rocks

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0231.jpg

[benihana]

Ben, we started our frag tanks about the same time. My water is doing the same and the diatoms are in full swing. I have been turkey basting the racks and letting the skimmer pull out the what looks like rust.

Question: Will the diatoms hurt the frags I have in there? Should I pull them and put them in my main tank?

I think you will be fine for the most part. Just keep an eye on everything and make sure the diatoms aren't growing on the coral itself, and you will be fine.

Any updated pics???

[benihana]

Hey Ben I just switched out my egg crate and had a hell of an algae bloom on the crate. If you give it a acid bath it helps a ton.


Muriatic Acid?? Do you have two sets that you use? One for the tank while the other is getting the acid bath?

[bkoppes]

I think you will be fine for the most part. Just keep an eye on everything and make sure the diatoms aren't growing on the coral itself, and you will be fine.

Any updated pics???

No updated pictures right now. Not much to see yet :biggrin:

[benihana]

I will be moving a few more frags to the FT this weekend...that, and cutting up a few more things and making new frags now that I actually have room!!

I modded the Octo 200NW that I have, and it is kicking some serious butt!! I added 3 layers of mesh, and increased the air intake to a 1/4" ID tube, now it is kicking out some seriously think foam!

[RaysReef]

nice progress Ben, need some acan frags, lol =)

[benihana]

nice progress Ben, need some acan frags, lol =)

Thanks, funny you should say that, becasue I will be cutting some up tomorrow! lol

[freshfish]

Muriatic Acid?? Do you have two sets that you use? One for the tank while the other is getting the acid bath?

Yes I do know Ben. Sorry I'm bad at remembering to check back on the thread! (ADD.):biggrin:

[benihana]

Here are a few more pics that I promised

Skimmer, rockin the tank
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0324.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0325.jpg

Frags so far...still a fair amount of fragging to do in the DT...I can't wait for the diatom bloom to be done!!
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0323.jpg

[this1fish]

looking good, i was wondering when you were going to do something to that tank. I dont remember the water level being that low when i run the two tanks......are you only keeping water in the upper tank for now?

[benihana]

sorry, I had just turned off the pumps and was getting ready to feed the tank...normally the water line sits right at the trim line

[this1fish]

ahh ok that explains it... keep it up

[CMBECKER]

SAWEET, I'm so jealous I would love a frag tank! Keep up the good work.

[benihana]

Thanks...let's just say it took a bit of convincing the wife to go for it!! :gay1:

I started off with a couple frag racks, that helped a lot, but I soon out grew those, and needed a tank....speaking of which, I will most likely be getting rid of those guys as soon as I can move everything into my frag tank

[benihana]

Still plenty of brown diatoms, and I fragged up one of my acan colonies that is now in the tank, other than that not much for an update.....wait here is an updated pic of the skimmer after 3 days!! Not bad for a $200 grade skimmer!!

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_0333.jpg

[Turf]

nasty... looks hot dog relish good

[spsick]

I like the splash reducer on the skimmer output :) If you're looking the get more air intake on her I think I have my custom venturi for that skimmer laying around somewhere. Did you bore the elbow and everything too?

[benihana]

Hey man...it's custom!! :gay1: Yeah, I bored out both sides of the elbow. I am interested in the custom venturi...shoot me a PM

[benihana]

nasty... looks hot dog relish good

Thanks Ryan....I just about gged when I was cleaning it out tonight!! :biggrin:

[Zibba]

Looking good! What bulb combo are you running on the tek?

[benihana]

Thanks Eric. I am running 2 Giessman Aquablue +, 2 Giessman Actinic +

[kensilvey]

Looks good Ben,can't wait to see it in full swing at your meeting next month!

[storrisch]

what's the story on the random zip tie around the skimmer neck?

[benihana]

what's the story on the random zip tie around the skimmer neck?


That is purely for looks! lol


Seriously, it was going to be to hold the air tubing in place, but I ended up buying ridgid tubing so I never needed it, just to lazy to remove it

[benihana]

Looks good Ben,can't wait to see it in full swing at your meeting next month!

Thanks....it will be fun to host a meeting!

[mrbeachbum2]

Almost a year later, what does this look like? Makes me want to set up a 40 BR frag tank.

[benihana]

It looks about the same, but houses plenty of coral. I have swapped out the skimmer for a MSX 200 Extreme, and have added a AcJr for control.

[Dhummel]

Ben, in #57, on your skimmer what are you running for pin wheel, or mesh.

[benihana]

that was with the mesh mod. Beofre I changed skimmer, I followed this thread to mod it

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1284642&highlight=octopus+needle+wheel+mod

[wireefman]

u cant say it looks the same but with more coral and not post a picture of the coral

[benihana]

sure I can...I did it a couple posts above..... :gay1:



















Just for you Clint, I will take a new picture tonight and post

[benihana]

OK< here you go. Not the greatest of pictures, but you can see it is more full than it was. It was actually a bit empty compared to where it was a month or two ago. Which is good, becasue I have a lot of fragging to do for next weekend!:beerchug:

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_1248.jpg

[RaysReef]

nice Ben, I always have a hard time keep the egg crates clean :beerchug:

[benihana]

me too....I have OD'ed on the snails, it seems to help. Although I will be switching the rack from egg crate to black acrylic that I got from Fritz

[wireefman]

ben is that a yellow/golden torch i see frags of? if so please pm me

[benihana]

It is a torch, but it is of my Pink Tipped Green torch. I will have one available in my for sale thread for my meeting......

[RaysReef]

me too....I have OD'ed on the snails, it seems to help. Although I will be switching the rack from egg crate to black acrylic that I got from Fritz

acrylic is easier for the snails to graze. I'm doing the same with any setup that requires an egg crate.

[benihana]

OK, time for an update. I purchased some 3/8" black acrylic from :fritz: and had a little help cutting/drilling the holes. I can't thank Greg (Sanman) enough for helping me with the acrylic, I think everything turned out great!

In the previous set up, SPS did great, but everything else bleached out within a couple of days. Now, with the new set up, I probably won't get the same coloration out of the SPS, but hopefully by lowering the racks by ~ 6", i should allow everything else to color up and grow MUCH BETTER!


This is what it looked like this morning

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_1266.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_1264.jpg

And this is what it looks like tonight!!:beerchug:
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/ben_hanson/IMG_1270.jpg

[RaysReef]

looks great, Ben what size bit did u use? 1/2 in?

[benihana]

I think it was 9/16"

[OldNemo]

Yeah Ben, looks great! What do you have the acrylic sitting on??

I like the green acro in the center! ;)

[bkoppes]

Nice Ben.

What are you running for lights on this? What is the distance you are now keeping your corals from the light?

Love the black egg acrylic. Is there any negatives with it?

Positives is the cleaner look and snails able to clean better(can't fit inbetween eggcrate!). Am I correct on this?

[benihana]

Yeah Ben, looks great! What do you have the acrylic sitting on??

I like the green acro in the center! ;)

The black acrylic is sitting on 2"x4" pieces of acrylic that was glued on using weldon #16

The green acro in the center is the Unknown Green Acro I got from GoldPony last year as a frag....it is a great grower!

[benihana]

Nice Ben.

What are you running for lights on this? What is the distance you are now keeping your corals from the light?

Love the black egg acrylic. Is there any negatives with it?

Positives is the cleaner look and snails able to clean better(can't fit inbetween eggcrate!). Am I correct on this?


The light is a 36" tek 4 bulb with Giessman bulbs. The down sides to the acrylic is that it had t be drilled manualy, and doesn't allow any light through, which is a negative because you can't have lower ight corals beneath the acrylic, where yu would would be able to have lower light corals underneath the rack if you used clear acrylic

It definately looks a lot cleaner, and there won't be any unecessary algea like what I got from the white egg crate, and yes, the snails will be able to clean it much better with out getting stuck between the eggcrate holes.

The light is aout 12" about the tank, and the rack is about 14" below the surface of the water, so from rack to light it is aout 26", which is close t what I run in my display tank.

I plan on trying the acrylic rod frag mounting method that freshfish is doing so I can control the amount of the light the sps frags get as well

[bkoppes]

The light is a 36" tek 4 bulb with Giessman bulbs. The down sides to the acrylic is that it had t be drilled manualy, and doesn't allow any light through, which is a negative because you can't have lower ight corals beneath the acrylic, where yu would would be able to have lower light corals underneath the rack if you used clear acrylic

It definately looks a lot cleaner, and there won't be any unecessary algea like what I got from the white egg crate, and yes, the snails will be able to clean it much better with out getting stuck between the eggcrate holes.

The light is aout 12" about the tank, and the rack is about 14" below the surface of the water, so from rack to light it is aout 26", which is close t what I run in my display tank.

I plan on trying the acrylic rod frag mounting method that freshfish is doing so I can control the amount of the light the sps frags get as well

Thanks Ben. I just got a 48" 4 bulb Tek Light for my frag tank and was wondering about height from corals. :) The white egg crate gets soooo dirty so quick :(

[benihana]

Yes it does....I know fritz has some black acrylic frag racks for sale at the store, otherwise you can always make your own