Do you keep fish in your frag tank

fashionphile · Jun 24, 2009

So ive got my 40 breeder all set up for my new frag system.
Going to be keeping LPS and zoas only (SPS in other tank)
My first thoughts were no fish just some snails, maybe a shrimp and possibly some baby hermits (although I hate them)
anyway im kinda second guessing the no fish decision as I know the palys and lps love the fish poop.
Do you keep fish in your frag system?
If not why and if so why?
wanted to do a poll but have no clue as to how..

fashionphile · Jun 24, 2009

figured out the poll thing ..

stunreefer · Jun 24, 2009

Th reason to keep them in a frag system, as you mentioned, is to feed the coral. I would not recommend keeping any sort of "C.U.C" in the tank. You can clean the glass yourself, and while you feed make sure it all goes into the animals mouth that you're trying to feed. (IMO this goes for ALL tanks, less a couple Nassarius or similar to help churn sand some).

Personally I enjoy keeping an "odd-ball" fish in frag systems - one that I would/could not mix into my DT, like a small angler or dwarf lionfish.

On the flip side this is exactly what Amino Acids are for. You could easily run it fishless and occassionally add a little Amino Acids to the system that will feed the coral. Of course if you're keeping "meat-loving LPS" in there, you can just spot-feed them and allow the rest of the coral to feed off of that waste...

I didn't vote because I've ran both a few times and they both work like a champ!

JR's Reef · Jun 24, 2009

I dont only because mine is tied into my main tank and have to run the frag tank lights at a different time due to heat in the summer. Im at work most of the time its on so they would not get feed like they need to be.

oceanparadise1 · Jun 24, 2009

I don't, I try to keep the bio load down as much as possible in a frag tank. I'm also just nervous bc there's nothing but corals in the tank(I don't have live rock in my frag tank) thÃ t they might nip!

kgehrke · Jun 24, 2009

I've done it both ways. I really enjoyed not having fish in there because you didn't have to worry about feeding and bio load nearly as much. I now just have one fish and am happy with it.

mpoletti · Jun 24, 2009

I had to add some more into my frag tank as my colors were just not the same.

Fishcrazy06 · Jun 24, 2009

I normally keep fish in my frag tank as well. Stunreefer had an awesome idea with the dwarf lionfish. I never thought about that. What an awesome way to add even more diversity to ones collection of the reef! I think it also helps having the fish in there for the whole cycle aspect of it.

Eric

fashionphile · Jun 24, 2009

right now all i have is a couple of rotting krill shrimp to help aid in the cycle process
Beware about the dwarf lions.. I had one in my 26 open top and about 2 weeks ago it jumped and found him dried on the floor . didnt think a lion would jump.. i dunno maybe a bug flew over?
however I think one of those anglers is a fantastic idea..

FateX8 · Jun 24, 2009

i had fish in my frag tank when it was set up back in the day mainly for algae control and pest control

pmoradi2002 · Jun 24, 2009

i dont have a frag tank but every single one i have seen does have feeeeesh in it.

stunreefer · Jun 24, 2009

fashionphile said:
Beware about the dwarf lions.. I had one in my 26 open top and about 2 weeks ago it jumped and found him dried on the floor . didnt think a lion would jump.. i dunno maybe a bug flew over?

When I worked at a LFS back in the day the "store pet", Bob, a 14" Volitan lionfish jumped out of his tank as I walked past... I heard a loud splash-clap noise and as I spun around I see Bob in mid-air aiming straight for me :neutral: :cry: :sad: :neutral:

I managed to escape that (however he had stung me before - not fun) and Bob was fine... shaken up, but fine once I placed him back into the tank.

IMO, ALL aqauriums with fish must have a top on them. It's a sure-fire way to save lives, and seems how we really, truly care about these animals it's only right to keep 'em IN the tank.

Bob's tank had eggcrate on it, but another ignorant co-worker apparently forgot to place the weights back on top after removing them - needless to say I gave him a piece of my mind after the incident.

Hypertek99 · Jun 24, 2009

Yes but i only kepted a couple

RalphsReef · Jun 24, 2009

I started out with just couple in my frag system. Now the frag tank is my "frag-quarium." But all the fish add food for the corals and frags. Its sometimes difficult to feed the acans, though, as the fish like to steal the food. All in all, everything is doing great.

MSU Fan · Jun 25, 2009

A black ocellaris clown (for now) and an algae blenny for algae control. This tank also has pep's to control aiptasia and emerald crabs for bubble algae.