This review dives into the Oceanbox Designs mini frag racks, specifically focusing on their suitability for nano tanks. The author, owner of a Red Sea Reefer 250, sought a compact and aesthetically pleasing frag rack solution that wouldn't overwhelm the limited space of their nano tank. Traditional frag racks proved too large and visually intrusive, prompting a search for a more tailored alternative. This led them to Oceanbox Designs, a company specializing in custom acrylic frag racks designed for smaller aquarium setups.The review details the author's experience ordering and installing two custom-sized black acrylic frag racks – one holding six frags and the other eight. It highlights the high-quality acrylic, the customizable options offered by Oceanbox Designs, and a particularly noteworthy aspect: the small magnets used for attachment. While the small magnets initially presented a slight installation challenge, the author ultimately found a solution and emphasizes the overall success and stability of the product, concluding with a strong recommendation for nano tank owners.
Pros And Cons
- Sleek and polished finish
- Customizable size (6 or 8 frag capacity)
- Available in multiple colors (black, clear, smoke)
- Magnets are designed to fit various glass thicknesses
- Blends in well with tank aesthetics
- Secure mounting once properly installed
- Allows for fine-tuning placement after initial mounting
- Magnets are small and can be difficult to maneuver during installation.
- Initial installation may require some trial and error.
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The Need for a Compact Frag Rack
My Red Sea Reefer 250, while a beautiful tank, is relatively small. I needed a frag rack that wouldn't overwhelm the space and would blend seamlessly into the tank's design. Traditional frag racks were too large and visually intrusive for this setup. I wanted something low-profile and aesthetically pleasing.
The back glass and central overflow box of the Reefer seemed ideal locations. Finding the right frag rack for this specific space proved to be a small challenge, requiring a search for something compact and customisable.
Introducing Oceanbox Designs
After searching online, I discovered Oceanbox Designs. They create custom acrylic frag racks specifically designed for nano tanks. Their customizable options were perfect for my needs, offering different sizes and colors to match my existing setup.
I decided to order two sizes: one to hold six frags and another to hold eight. The color choices included black, clear, and smoke; I chose black for optimal integration with the tank's black background and overflow box.
Quality and Magnet System
The acrylic quality of the frag racks is excellent; it's very polished and feels high-end. My only reservation was the size of the magnets. They're surprisingly small, which made installation a bit tricky, as I'll explain later.
The magnets are selected to match the thickness of your tank's glass. I chose magnets rated for up to 3/8 inch (10mm) glass, the thickness of my Red Sea Reefer's glass.
Installation Challenges and Solutions
The small magnets presented a unique challenge during installation. Their small size and tendency to stick together or repel each other made precise placement difficult. It took several attempts before I successfully mounted the racks.
My solution was to initially attach the racks to the side of the tank glass, allowing me to see and manipulate the magnets more easily. Once one magnet was securely attached, I carefully maneuvered the other into place.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Despite the initial installation hiccups, I'm very happy with the Oceanbox Designs mini frag racks. They blend in perfectly with the tank's aesthetic. The ability to slightly adjust placement after initial installation is actually a positive feature.
The racks are well-made, sturdy, and hold securely. For nano tank owners who value a compact, attractive, and functional frag rack, this product is a highly recommended option. They are particularly well-suited for tanks like the Red Sea Reefer 250 where space is limited. The small magnets, while initially problematic, didn't compromise the overall success or stability of the product.
