DIY Frag Rack

Frag racks are used in saltwater aquariums for growing coral. They are often made out of plastic or acrylic and have slots or holes in them to hold the plugs that baby coral grow on. They are then held to the walls of the tank with magnets. They function like a shelf inside the tank. Frag racks can be made easily out of acrylic. Acrylic can be manipulated with using woodworking tools and bonded together using an epoxy designed for acrylic.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Straightedge
  • Dry erase pen
  • Acrylic, 1/4-by-8-by-12-inches
  • Drill
  • Acrylic drill bit, 3/8-inch
  • Tack cloth
  • 4 Rubber coated neodymium magnets, 1-by-1-by-1-inch
  • Acrylic epoxy
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Draw ten lines across the acrylic sheet so they are perpendicular to the 12-inch edge. Space the lines 1 inch apart and leave 1 inch of space with the two outside lines to the two outside 8-inch edges. Draw six lines across the sheet that are perpendicular to the 8-inch edge. Space them 1 inch apart and leave 1 inch of space with the two outside lines to the outside edges.

    • 2

      Drill a 3/8-inch hole through the acrylic where each of the lines intersect. Wipe the remaining lines off with your tack cloth.

    • 3

      Lay the acrylic sheet flat, so the 12-inch edges are horizontal. Epoxy two magnets to the sheet. There should be one magnet that is flush with each bottom corner. Let the epoxy dry according to instructions.

    • 4

      Position your frag rack inside your aquarium tank so the holes are perpendicular to the bottom of the tank and so the two magnets are against the wall of the aquarium. The magnets should be underneath the acrylic. Place the other two magnets on the outside of the aquarium and against the glass so they pull on the magnets on the rack. They will hold your rack in position.