Deep Blue Frag Tank - Lots of pics!

hawaiifavo · Jan 22, 2016

After being in the reefing world for a little over two years now I have finally had a reasonable level of success with my current reef tank and what better way to celebrate that success than with another reef tank : )

So...this thread is going to follow my progress of my first attempt at a frag tank. Why not an upgrade you ask? Well, as much as I would love to upgrade I just don't fancy all the work and now that I have finally got my current reef tank at point now where its stable, coral is growing at a fantastic rate and everyone is healthy so I just don't want to mess with that.

The main reason for the frag tank is to see if I can start selling some frags and recouping some dollars. I started selling cheato algae on craigslist for $5 a bag that was growing in my refugium and believe it or not I actually sold enough bags to buy this frag tank:

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hawaiifavo · Jan 22, 2016

Its a 35 Gallon Deep Blue Frag Tank = 36"x18"x12" - a perfect sized tank for a first frag tank I feel.

There was a stand that was available with the tank however it was $100 more than the tank and I just couldn't help but think that, that $$$ could be better spent elsewhere for instance on something like......

hawaiifavo · Jan 22, 2016

This is the Trigger Systems Emerald 34 - Gotta love the BRS Holiday sales!!!

So I had a tank and sump but no stand. Not only did I want to have a stand that would provide me with easy access to the sump, I also wanted it to be big enough to hold a 5-10 container for ATO. With the tank being 36" that meant finding a stand that was at least 48". There really arent decently priced stands out there and I quickly started looking at DIY fish tank stands.

This would be my first attempt at a from scratch tank stand so I was looking for designs that were simple in terms of the frame, a design that didn't have a center brace between the doors restricting access and something that I would know could easily hold the weight of the frag tank but would also if needed be able to accommodate an upgrade in tank size to a 48" tank too.

I found the king of DIY on youtube and a great video he did on building a tank stand from scratch and from there I set out....

hawaiifavo · Jan 22, 2016

More progress made on the stand

hawaiifavo · Jan 22, 2016

Started on the stand exterior, just the doors remain.

Paint was still a little wet in these pics and only one coat was laid down.

hawaiifavo · Jan 22, 2016

Vertex Omega 130

Tunze ATO

hawaiifavo · Jan 22, 2016

So far as the refugium section of the sump I was torn between miracle mud or a Zeovit reactor and giving the Zeovit system a try.

I have used Miracle Mud on my previous and current reef tank with great success running the "Paletta method". I was able to keep a reasonably low nutrient system while having the tanks slightly over stocked with a high bio load due to the frequent and large feedings. I keep several dwarf angels and an AHT and I account for their good behavior by keeping them well fed.

But this is a frag tank and a small one at that so fish are the least of my worries. Its corals that I am concerned with.

I researched the Zeovit system and followed a couple threads on here and browsed the Zeovit forums too and I have concluded that without a doubt the system works if done properly. With regards to MM, I have never ran a tank without it so I cant say for certain that my previous success is owed in part to MM or not but I will say that I don't know how I could run such low nutrient systems otherwise.

The more I researched the Zeovit system the more I liked it but at the same time the more I realized it just didn't suit my style of keeping a reef tank. I'm a set and forget kind of guy and the Zeovit system needs an almost scientific approach to it.

Don't get me wrong I religiously test my water once a month for everything and it all gets logged, I do water changes every three weeks and keep up with my regular maintenance of pumps, skimmer and general tank care which is just about all I could handle I think. The final nail in the coffin for me was the weekly 10% water change and the additional costs of keeping up with the supplements - just not for me. Maybe one day when i have nothing better to do with my time but for now MM is the way for me.

hawaiifavo · Feb 2, 2016

Finally got the doors done on the stand - not the prettiest thing in the world but for a frag tank stand that will be sitting in my office rather than out in the common areas of the house it will do. Now I can finally get on with the fun stuff.

borgie · Feb 2, 2016

Loving this build! Have the emerald 34 and absolutely love it! I have been trying to find the 80 gallon edge rimless frag tank by deep blue, but I live in MN and can't find anyone who can get them pretty bummer because they have the perfect measurements