Second tank build ! 34 gallon frag tank

[Hallowhead]

Howdy all,

Being that I check local deals everyday it was impossible to pass up on this offer! I picked up a 34 g deep blue frag tank stand and a 30*12*15 advanced acryclic sump for an incredible price. I want to start growing out corals and potentially trying to sell some locally

This will be a slow build as I'll be acquiring parts over time unlike my main tank (as I find good deals). This setup contains more water unlike my main 30 AIO this is ~ 50 gallons.

I wanna start with several questions :

1.) How much rock is needed in my sump for proper filtration? 20 pounds ? Or should I just use something like bio balls or media in sump? I've decided I want one small rock cluster in the center of the tank for my two fish (six line & tail spot blennie). The middle chamber will obviously be a refugium.

2.) I don't need a massive protein skimmer correct ? Since I'll have max 2 fish my bioload will be minimal. Could I get away with a tunze 9004? Or should I reach for a larger style? Suggestions?

3.) The tank is 12 inches deep having egg crates for frags to sit in would being me to ~ 10 inches deep if I filled to the brim so call it 8~ deep. Lighting... I'm trying to think of most effective lighting without being overkill. I'd imagine two kessil 160WE are okay right ? Are there better cheaper options ? I was looking at other types but realized I would need some fancy controller to make a lighting schedule.

4.) Need a good base point for a return pump. How is the jabao DC returns ? Any good vouching? I was looking at the DCP 3000, or the Sycna Sicce 3.0.

5.) I will be using two jagar 75 watt heaters and I am looking for a controller... eventually i'd like to get Apex but can't justify it yet... plus I want it on my Main DT first..

That's all I have for now ! So anything else I think I'll post back !

If anyone is willing to sell used parts to a fellow reefer I'm here!!

 

[Hallowhead]

Please see some photos attached! I've ordered a dKh alk hanna checker and phosphate hanna checker!

 

[Sponge]

Looks like fun. Best of luck. I hope some day to be forced to frag. Right now I’m content to watch things evolve. I know to little about the parts your asking about to offer much advice, However I have two ink bird controllers for my two Jagar heaters. I have only had them for maybe 4 months. But I can Say I like them. There easy to use. Have a large clear display. Have a temp too high or too low alarm that you set the range you like and you can adjust there calibration (which I did) if you have an accurately calibrated thermometer to do so. To top it all off. They are pretty cheap

 

[Hallowhead]

Looks like fun. Best of luck. I hope some day to be forced to frag. Right now I’m content to watch things evolve. I know to little about the parts your asking about to offer much advice, However I have two ink bird controllers for my two Jagar heaters. I have only had them for maybe 4 months. But I can Say I like them. There easy to use. Have a large clear display. Have a temp too high or too low alarm that you set the range you like and you can adjust there calibration (which I did) if you have an accurately calibrated thermometer to do so. To top it all off. They are pretty cheap

I am not forced to frag corals and all but it seems interesting to me and I love zoas.. so I feel like I'm just gonna wanna keep buying them and eventually it'll just make sense to have a grow out tank. It makes sense in my head

 

[Sponge]

I hear ya. Sounds awesome

 

[Hallowhead]

I hear ya. Sounds awesome

I read a decent amount of scary stories about the ink bird shifting by +/- 15 degrees

 

[Sponge]

I know nothing of that. But I can say I manually check temp every day. And have not yet seen an incorrect reading. But I do understand that 4 months is a small sample size

 

[mnat]

Rock in Sump: My personal opinion is as little as possible. It sounds like you are going to run the tank with a minimal load so you should be ok with your live rock in the display plus the fuge you talked about setting up. Also this will depend on what type of corals you plan on growing out. I have found that rock in the sump just becomes a detritus trap because you don't have the same flow or spend the same amount of time in there. Good idea in theory but needs to have its own maintenance plan.

Skimmer again depends on the type of corals you wan to keep, the rule of thumb was always buy the biggest one you can fit/afford because it is better to have too much than too little. Again does not sound like you will have a huge bioload but I would want something that is at least rated for your total gallons if not more.

I have one kessil over my 30g tank and love it. Kessil builds great lights and I think with the size tank you have two would be perfect.

Not really too up to date on return pumps, but the DC seems the way to go at this point. With heaters having 2 is a good choice, again not up to date on controllers so can't really help you there.

 

[iTzJu]

Hey good luck on this frag tank build, love mine and have been holding a ton of my corals till i stop slacking and get my 75 ready.

I'm currently using a DC2500, provides more than enough flow so the 3000 shouldn't be a problem. I'm using two jager 125w heaters but the tank is in the basement which stays relatively cool. 1 bio brick should be enough for biological filtration but a few pounds of live rock wont hurt. if its in the budget, look for a wifi smart power strip, you wont be able to monitor your tank but you can atleast control your plugs wirelessly. I wouldn't under estimate the need for a proper sized skimmer, you have the room for it so I would at least get a proper sized one. i suggest looking for 30g-100g sized skimmers. I'm currently using a Eshopps S120 but similar ones like a RO 110 and SCA-302 which i've used work well. As far as lighting, i'm currenly using two XR15s with an aquatic life hybrid fixture but I mostly keep SPS. the two kessils would work but I would go with two Prime HDs or if on a tighter budget, Coral Box Moon led and if even on a tighter budget, i'd try two of these.

good luck!

 

[Hallowhead]

Rock in Sump: My personal opinion is as little as possible. It sounds like you are going to run the tank with a minimal load so you should be ok with your live rock in the display plus the fuge you talked about setting up. Also this will depend on what type of corals you plan on growing out. I have found that rock in the sump just becomes a detritus trap because you don't have the same flow or spend the same amount of time in there. Good idea in theory but needs to have its own maintenance plan.

Skimmer again depends on the type of corals you wan to keep, the rule of thumb was always buy the biggest one you can fit/afford because it is better to have too much than too little. Again does not sound like you will have a huge bioload but I would want something that is at least rated for your total gallons if not more.

I have one kessil over my 30g tank and love it. Kessil builds great lights and I think with the size tank you have two would be perfect.

Not really too up to date on return pumps, but the DC seems the way to go at this point. With heaters having 2 is a good choice, again not up to date on controllers so can't really help you there.

Looks like no rock in sump is the move ! A fuge and ~ 5/8 pounds of rock in the DT

I'll be keeping mainly zoa/paly/euphyllia and LPS so nothing crazy like SPS. I'll probably go with a skimmer rated for 50 gallons. Maybe a tunze 9004 since my 9001 kicks butt idk though

I have two kessil 160 on my 30 AIO so I think that's the move for sure

 

[Hallowhead]

Hey good luck on this frag tank build, love mine and have been holding a ton of my corals till i stop slacking and get my 75 ready.

I'm currently using a DC2500, provides more than enough flow so the 3000 shouldn't be a problem. I'm using two jager 125w heaters but the tank is in the basement which stays relatively cool. 1 bio brick should be enough for biological filtration but a few pounds of live rock wont hurt. if its in the budget, look for a wifi smart power strip, you wont be able to monitor your tank but you can atleast control your plugs wirelessly. I wouldn't under estimate the need for a proper sized skimmer, you have the room for it so I would at least get a proper sized one. i suggest looking for 30g-100g sized skimmers. I'm currently using a Eshopps S120 but similar ones like a RO 110 and SCA-302 which i've used work well. As far as lighting, i'm currenly using two XR15s with an aquatic life hybrid fixture but I mostly keep SPS. the two kessils would work but I would go with two Prime HDs or if on a tighter budget, Coral Box Moon led and if even on a tighter budget, i'd try two of these.

good luck!

Do you have a controller on the jagar? That's my setup but my basement is cool as well and I may go with two 75 watts. How big is your frag tank ? Do you have a build thread ?

My brother has a DC 5000 I think and it works wonders so I think I'm set on the 3000 and a sicce 3.0 as a backup I'm thinking.

I saw someone recommend the wifi strip as I can't afford or even afford to google Apex right now ugh. Lol. Do you use the strip? Can you explain your setup a little more ?

I need to stay away from eshopps I think as we had zero luck with my brothers on his tank. I'll look at the others

As for the lights I'm trying to keep it simple yet powerful and easy to control. I know kessil which is why I'm on board with them but how would you contort the Prime's ? Are they worth it if I'm not planning on sps?

 

[iTzJu]

Do you have a controller on the jagar? That's my setup but my basement is cool as well and I may go with two 75 watts. How big is your frag tank ? Do you have a build thread ?

My brother has a DC 5000 I think and it works wonders so I think I'm set on the 3000 and a sicce 3.0 as a backup I'm thinking.

I saw someone recommend the wifi strip as I can't afford or even afford to google Apex right now ugh. Lol. Do you use the strip? Can you explain your setup a little more ?

I need to stay away from eshopps I think as we had zero luck with my brothers on his tank. I'll look at the others

As for the lights I'm trying to keep it simple yet powerful and easy to control. I know kessil which is why I'm on board with them but how would you contort the Prime's ? Are they worth it if I'm not planning on sps?

Yeah, my thread is here but did start off as a 34 lol

I have an Apex so my heaters are controlled by my Apex.

I do not use the strip for my tank but I do use wifi smart plugs all over the home. you can control them via an app or you can pair it with an smart assistant like Google or Alexa.

the kessils will work fine if you're not looking to keep SPS. If you were interested in getting the Prime HDs, which i think they are worth it, you control them via an App as well.

 

[Hallowhead]

Yeah, my thread is here but did start off as a 34 lol

I have an Apex so my heaters are controlled by my Apex.

I do not use the strip for my tank but I do use wifi smart plugs all over the home. you can control them via an app or you can pair it with an smart assistant like Google or Alexa.

the kessils will work fine if you're not looking to keep SPS. If you were interested in getting the Prime HDs, which i think they are worth it, you control them via an App as well.

I'll definitely be taking a look.

Do you have a newer Apex? Or a classic? I'm looking at classics as they're cheaper and will get the job done for the most part but I can't decide if it's more valuable on my main tank or frag tank. I suppose once I get growing it's the frag tank but hopefully by then it'll pay for itself.

I will probably start on this smart outlet route

As for Prime's they work via a Google play app or iOS app? No additional controller needed? If that's the case I could be more interested. As a spectral controller is 100 and the lights are about 130 used a piece so that's 230 which is the cost of one prime hd... I think?

 

[iTzJu]

I'll definitely be taking a look.

Do you have a newer Apex? Or a classic? I'm looking at classics as they're cheaper and will get the job done for the most part but I can't decide if it's more valuable on my main tank or frag tank. I suppose once I get growing it's the frag tank but hopefully by then it'll pay for itself.

I will probably start on this smart outlet route

As for Prime's they work via a Google play app or iOS app? No additional controller needed? If that's the case I could be more interested. As a spectral controller is 100 and the lights are about 130 used a piece so that's 230 which is the cost of one prime hd... I think?

I have a classic and Jr. both will work well. if I were to pick one up now I'd pick up the new one but its whatever your budget is.

app works on both iOS and Android, I suggest getting 2 prime hds, not just one if you want good coverage

 

[Hallowhead]

I have a classic and Jr. both will work well. if I were to pick one up now I'd pick up the new one but its whatever your budget is.

app works on both iOS and Android, I suggest getting 2 prime hds, not just one if you want good coverage

The budget doesn't exist haha ! In reality I just can't justify 300 for any of the controllers. But it's an investment that I'll be making soon and I just don't know if I wanna choke for the 800 dollar version which has all the probes or 300 for someone's classic.

Yes two Prime's if I go that route

 

[Hallowhead]

Couple updates today! It's a slower build than my main tank mainly because well... $$$.

Reefapalooza was yesterday and I had to have such incredible control in buying corals as my new tank wasn't setup and I couldn't house any in my main tank. Next year we will empty the bank. The location was set for my tank and the stand that I acquired from my local reefer did not work well.. so we will build a new one.

Equipment acquired:
Sicce 2.0 to replace my main tank which frees a better pump for water changes.
Apex Classic to control my frag tank Jr for main tank (Bought from Reef2Reef) the brain arrived broken... dealing with paypal now and sent it into neptune to repair.. hopefully
Tunze 3155 auto top off system
2x Kessil 160we (bought one off reef2reef which was under warranty still so had that swapped out for a new one)
All required plumbing / gate valves / unions.
Dry rock (i've had it stored away)

Need to acquire:
Protein skimmer (was about to pull the trigger on a k2-50 however, realized I won't need it for a LONG while)
Need to decide if filter socks or filter floss canister.
Need marine pure spheres high flow for my sump
Sump light for chaeto

Now for some pictures of the mess!

As you can see some small changes have to be made today.

 

[Sponge]

Looking good man. Keep the pics comming

 

[Hallowhead]

Looking good man. Keep the pics comming

Took everyone's advice this time around about supports. This stand can hold a 90 gallon easily

 

[Sponge]

OH I noticed. Lol. Great job. Seriously

 

[Hallowhead]

OH I noticed. Lol. Great job. Seriously

Have not decided how I'm going to finish it yet - but base structure is done which means the tank can get setup plumbed and run vinegar through it