5 gallon frag tank tied into display??? IDK???

[MoshJosh]

Thinking about it, but not sure. . .

 

[tbrown]

Thinking about it, but not sure. . .

I've considered similar. Keep the tops at the same level or leave headspace in the 5 gallon to handle any overflow in power outages.

 

[MoshJosh]

I've considered similar. Keep the tops at the same level or leave headspace in the 5 gallon to handle any overflow in power outages.

I was thinking I would connect it directly to the sump, with its own pump, that way there shouldn’t be any overflow issues.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I was thinking I would connect it directly to the sump, with its own pump, that way there shouldn’t be any overflow issues.

I have a 30g tied into a 300 in this way. No downside I can speak of. Need to ensure your sump can handle the extra flowback.

 

[StatelineReefer]

I would probably keep them seperate in case of water quality, contaminant, or microbial failures. The frag tank should be the nursery, not the factory floor.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I would probably keep them seperate in case of water quality, contaminant, or microbial failures. The frag tank should be the nursery, not the factory floor.

I disagree here fully.

The larger (overall) volume gives you a lot more stability in the frag tank because it has all of the qualities of the display.
You only have to test One system, not two. Dose for One system, not Two.
Gives the frag tank all of the biome benefits of the live rock in the display, without having to take up precious floor space with rock in the frag tank.

Benefits here for days here bud.

 

[StatelineReefer]

I disagree here fully.

The larger (overall) volume gives you a lot more stability in the frag tank because it has all of the qualities of the display.
You only have to test One system, not two. Dose for One system, not Two.
Gives the frag tank all of the biome benefits of the live rock in the display, without having to take up precious floor space with rock in the frag tank.

Benefits here for days here bud.

Not disagreeing with you, there's benefits to both methods, I merely gave my opinion.

Allow me to counter. A frag tank can also be run at different parameters than the display tank to encourage greater growth and coloration. In a shorter, smaller tank frags can be cooked at a much higher par than the display tank. A frag tank, to me, is where the colony stays and the frags are taken off that so you always have a backup in case something goes south. Keeping that isolation is paramount to preserving your coral 'bank' in case of disaster.

Your method is easier to maintain and implement, to be sure, it leads to good habits and better husbandry in most cases, because keeping it simple is keeping it stressless. It's also cheaper because, as you mentioned, half the tests, easier dosing.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Not disagreeing with you, there's benefits to both methods, I merely gave my opinion.

Allow me to counter. A frag tank can also be run at different parameters than the display tank to encourage greater growth and coloration. In a shorter, smaller tank frags can be cooked at a much higher par than the display tank. A frag tank, to me, is where the colony stays and the frags are taken off that so you always have a backup in case something goes south. Keeping that isolation is paramount to preserving your coral 'bank' in case of disaster.

Your method is easier to maintain and implement, to be sure, it leads to good habits and better husbandry in most cases, because keeping it simple is keeping it stressless. It's also cheaper because, as you mentioned, half the tests, easier dosing.

Good conversation to be had so continuing the discussion with post concussion fog, so bear with me.

The ability to run different parameters in the frag tank is a benefit, IF that's a benefit to you. To me, it isn't.

As you mentioned, The colonies grow in the display (you said frag I think), and the frags from this are kept in the frag tank. To me, That means you should be running the same parameters in the frag tank, which you are in the display, which has been growing the corals enough to frag in the first place.

So far as separate systems as a backup to your colonies. That's what the homies tanks are for. Spread your frags around to friend. Trade your genetics so you will never lose them. No need to keep a backup colony on hand, especially with the limited room in a 5g.

The only reason I can think of to have a separate small system isolated would be as a coral QT prior to introducing into the main tank, which you would normally have at the same levels or to keep corals which Require different parameters than you are running. Mixed softie display and SPS frag tank for example. At this point it's not even a frag tank anymore, It's a grow out system and sure can be on its own. I run my anenome tank at 75° and high nutrients. That can't be hooked on, it's materially different.

 

[MoshJosh]

Thank @StatelineReefer and @Lost in the Sauce !!!

Think Both views are valid! and in the past I took the Stateline approach, but for this guy I think I want to ease of use/stability offered by connecting it to the sump. . . though I guess I could make this tank it's own "mini sump"

Anyway, plan is sort of a catch all, frag colonies from the display, store frags that I don't want in the display yet or want to grow out a bit first, or to grow out corals that wouldn't play nice in the display (local shop has a cotton candy torch I have nowhere to put haha!)

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Neither way is wrong. There's 100 ways to do things right around here.

If you end up doing it, which it sounds like you are which I fully enable, ask yourself if you are married to those dimensions of the tank. You may check around used and find a cube that would fit in on the end and utilize the extra space of the countertop. More floor room for frags.

 

[sfin52]

Multiple ways to skin a cat.

 

[MoshJosh]

Here it is. . . so far so goodish:

 

[MoshJosh]

Still going strong:

Can’t remember if I already said it, but I put my sexy shrimp in here (might be eating corals. . . who knows haha)

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Still going strong:

Can’t remember if I already said it, but I put my sexy shrimp in here (might be eating corals. . . who knows haha)

Frags are doing well!

 

[MoshJosh]

I may have over committed to a few coral sales: