Do you have a frag tank?


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WestCoastCorals

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Hi Everyone!

This is our first build thread and thought it would be a nice insight to see how a commercial company sets up their system.

We can't wait to show you all our newest frag setup!

This system is being set up as test for our future expansion, we hope to add 5 more systems like this by the end of the year.

Heres a rundown on the setup:

Tanks:
Currently we have 2 Fiji Cube 76 gallon EXT shallow tanks, this totals our display water volume around 150 gallons.

When deciding which tanks to go with we really loved Fiji Cubes EXT models as it gives us more usable frag space as well as the height being 15.75 inches was around our ideal height of 14-15 inches.

Lighting:
On our current tanks we have a variety of lights from T5 Hybrids to Kessil's, ReefLed's and even XR 15's and XR 30's.

After lots of deliberation our team decided to go with EcoTech Gen 5 XR 15 blues.

Since this system isn't going to be SPS heavy we decided to go with 2 on each tank to start, if we feel this isn't enough lighting we will add either another XR 15 or even try out an XR 30 in the middle.

Flow:
Most of our current tanks use a variety of different wave makers, after lots of testing our two favorites are the MP40's and Nero 5's.

Since we have a bunch of extra Nero 5's at our facility we are going to add 2-3 to each 76 gallon depending on flow requirements.

Dosing:

At West Coast Corals we love trying out new equipment to see what works best, previously we have been using Neptune DOS pumps exclusively.

For this build we decided to try a new route and are excited to use RedSea's ReefDose 4 in order to dose the system.

ATO:

Our favorite ATO is the Neptune ATK we plan on installing one into our ATO reservoir then using gravity and a float valve to feed the ATO directly into the sump.

Return Pump:

At our facility we run excessively EcoTech Vectra Return pumps as they are incredibly reliable and silent.

On this system we are going to use either 2 Vectra M2's or 1 Vectra L2. This is all dependent on how we set up the plumbing.

Plumbing:

This is where the system starts to get a little tricky. Both 76 gallon tanks are going to be plumbed directly into the sump.

We are going to have either one or two pumps returning the water to both tanks. Each tank has a 1200 gallon per hour external overflows and 2 returns.

Our plumbing is still under discussion as we want to make it as effective as possible while allowing us to add additional equipment such as UV down the road.



We can't wait to take you all along on this journey!

Either Tomorrow or Monday we will be posting our second update with detailed plans for our stand and discuss our plumbing ideas.


Feel free to follow us on Instagram

Or check out our website


All the best,
 
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WestCoastCorals

WestCoastCorals

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Hi Everyone!

This is update number 2!

Currently the stand is complete and we are just waiting for the tanks to come in later this week.

When designing the stands we decided to have 4 by 4 beams in each corner and pieces of 2 by 4 connecting each beam.

Originally our goal was to use just carriage bolts to fasten the beams and 2 by 4's together but we were concerned with the stability so we decided to design and cut out joints for the 4 by 4's in order to get proper support we need to hold 150 plus gallons.

Attached below are the plans drawn up for the stand.

Our next step is to figure out our exact plumbing plans. We are still debating whether or not to run UV but once we decide we will have a more tangible plumbing process.

Let us know what you guys think and if you have any questions or suggestions. Looking forward to posting some more updates this week!

Follow us on Instagram

Or check out our website


All the best,



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WestCoastCorals

WestCoastCorals

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Hi Everyone,

Little update on where we are up to.

Both tanks have arrived! They are looking great, we highly recommend Fiji cube!

As of this week the stand is complete, we followed the plans listed above with just a little modifications.

Since plumbing was our biggest challenge we decided to try out the tigger systems 39 Platinum sump with the built in filter roller. This was ordered directly from our wholesaler and should arrive on Monday. Those who aren't familiar with this sump should know it has a large filter roller built into the system and can support 2 main drains. For us this is ideal as each tank will be plumbed directly into the sump each with their own gate valve, only sharing an emergency overflow.

For equipment we ordered 2 more Vectra M2's and a Bubble Magus 150 Carbon reactor as well. Currently we are waiting to see whether or not to run the M2's externally or inside the sump, once the sump arrives on Monday we are going to decide.

Our goals of this upcoming week are to get both tanks on the stand and the sump underneath as well as order all the final parts for plumbing.

Hopefully we can get these tanks filled with water by November!

We are going to continue to update as the weeks go by and post some pictures within the next few days.

Follow us on Instagram

Or check out our website


All the best,
 
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WestCoastCorals

WestCoastCorals

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Hello Reef 2 Reef!

As of yesterday both tanks are on the stand and getting ready to be plumbed!

Our sump also arrived in perfect condition and we absolutely cannot wait to get this awesome build running.


Here are some of the first pictures of both tanks on the stand

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We also have some pictures of the sump as well as our Mobius M2's inside the return chamber

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WestCoastCorals

WestCoastCorals

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Our next step is to finalize the overall plumbing plan and start to get the tank filled with RO water, we also want to start setting up the lighting next week. Right now we are only going to light one of the two tanks with 2 Radions XR 15 Gen 5 Blue's then we are going to either duplicate that on the other tank or add in a XR30 Gen 5 Blue
 

HeyLookItsCaps

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I’m building mine out too! Just made a thread myself. Was able to pick up a trigger systems sump directly from manufacturer as he’s nearby geographically. Pairing that with an advanced acrylics 48x24x12. Following for sure
 
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WestCoastCorals

WestCoastCorals

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I’m building mine out too! Just made a thread myself. Was able to pick up a trigger systems sump directly from manufacturer as he’s nearby geographically. Pairing that with an advanced acrylics 48x24x12. Following for sure
Can’t wait to see how it turns out! We almost went with Advanced Acrylics they make some great tanks! Do you have a build thread?
 
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WestCoastCorals

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Hey everyone we have a little update!

Currently we have started to set up the plumbing and have finished half of the return plumbing. Since we are running two tanks we are hard plumbing each tank to an independent Ecotech Vectra M2. I attached below some pictures and can't wait to finish up all the plumbing.

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dieselkeeper

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This is an awesome build. Looking forward to see it filled with corals. Like the way you have them back to back and in the middle of the room. Can I make a suggestion. I see you put a coupling online to the vectra pump. Are you planning on putting some kind of valve also so you don't have to drain water from the sump when removing the pump for service?
 
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WestCoastCorals

WestCoastCorals

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This is an awesome build. Looking forward to see it filled with corals. Like the way you have them back to back and in the middle of the room. Can I make a suggestion. I see you put a coupling online to the vectra pump. Are you planning on putting some kind of valve also so you don't have to drain water from the sump when removing the pump for service?
Thank you for the compliments! Get ready to see these tanks filled with some amazing corals! So we actually were thinking of going the valve route but the space got a little too tight for comfort so we opted to go instead with spigot plugs to plug the bulkhead incase we need to do any pump servicing. What do you think if we plumbed one more tank into this build, we were debating adding an SPS only tank plumbed in.
 
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WestCoastCorals

WestCoastCorals

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Hi Everyone!

We have some awesome news, the plumbing is done!

Yesterday we got the final emergency overflow plumbed and started filling the tank with water!

Just to recap for any new followers we are running 2 Vectra m2's plumbed into bulkheads with each running to one of the two tanks. From there each tank has their own overflow with a gate valve and both tanks emergency overflows are connected and will flow into the pump chamber in an emergency.

Instead of talking about it I am gonna show you all some pictures, whose excited to see what coral is gonna go in this?!

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WestCoastCorals

WestCoastCorals

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Hey Everyone,

I hope you are all doing well.

Currently the tank is finished and cycled!!

Corals are going in tomorrow so get ready for some awesome colony and frag shots. We are gonna some pics later today and tomorrow!


Get ready for our first Reef2Reef sale!
 

Daniel@R2R

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Looking great!! Excited to see these bad boys full of water and corals!!
 

Reef_prop88

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Hey Everyone,

I hope you are all doing well.

Currently the tank is finished and cycled!!

Corals are going in tomorrow so get ready for some awesome colony and frag shots. We are gonna some pics later today and tomorrow!


Get ready for our first Reef2Reef sale!
awesome build! Any updates???
 
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