I started a thread four years ago: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/frag-tank-experiment-build.110247/ You don't need to read it, I'll summarize and update here in this thread.
This is my update four years later.
Background: I wanted to get my frags out of my display and into a frag tank. I ordered an acrylic box with one hole drilled for a drain. No overflow, no box in a box, simple. The space allocated was a bathroom counter in a spare room and the wife gave the ok. The tank is 24 x 21 x10 which is about 20 gallons but it seems to hold about 10 or 11 gallons with frag racks, ceramic blocks and frags.
So in the next picture you can see it placed in its very discreet location:
I used the one drilled hole for a drain to the sink for water changes:
So my initial equipment in 2013 was a heater, a powerhead and an inexpensive led light
I tried using water from the display for the frag tank. I would change out 5 gallons every week from the display into the frag tank.
Well, even though I kept up with this for a while it just didn't work.
So, I added things to see if I could make it better.
1) To start with, I added ceramic blocks for filtration. I saw a local fish store had imported "japanese ceramic blocks" used for koi ponds and so I purchased them. Either I was unaware of siporax and marine pure at the time or they were not around, I am not really sure.
2 ) I added an ATO because to my surprise, water really evaporates quickly from this shallow tank.
3) I added better powerhead, I started with a Tunze and now use a maxspect gyre 230 set at 20%
4.) Still have a heater
5.) Switched to ATI T5 fixture 24 inch , bought it used so not too expensive, 8 bulbs though--lot a light
6). Racks for the frags
7) Doser, I use a bubble magus doser. I started with ESV B-ionic 2 part and a few months ago switched to Aquaforest 3 part component. I am up to 70 mm daily.
8) I change out 5 gallons weekly with freshly made saltwater, not from the display.
9) I use a tablespoon of carbon monthly in a bag.
10) I have a tiny yellow tang, a lawnmower blenny, an emerald crab, and three or four snails. Pods galore, some bristle worms and some of those tiny spidery starfish.
The frag tank has been stable for a while now. It sure seems happy and frags grow. It is interesting that I don't require an overflow but the gyre seems to agitate the surface quite a bit. The doser keeps alkalinity stable except when I don't appreciate the additional requirements of new frags added. I check my alkalinity frequently though to be sure. Surprised that I don't need a skimmer but I presume the japanese ceramic blocks and the water changes which are essentially 50% weekly, keep nutrient levels adequate. I presume the carbon helps remove some organics.
It was an interesting project seeing what I needed as far as equipment was but I think I have it down to the minimum. Long road though.
Tank sitting on bathroom counter
Gyre on visualizing surface agitation
Emerald crab showing off, tang hiding in corner photo shy
Frags
This is my update four years later.
Background: I wanted to get my frags out of my display and into a frag tank. I ordered an acrylic box with one hole drilled for a drain. No overflow, no box in a box, simple. The space allocated was a bathroom counter in a spare room and the wife gave the ok. The tank is 24 x 21 x10 which is about 20 gallons but it seems to hold about 10 or 11 gallons with frag racks, ceramic blocks and frags.
So in the next picture you can see it placed in its very discreet location:
I used the one drilled hole for a drain to the sink for water changes:
So my initial equipment in 2013 was a heater, a powerhead and an inexpensive led light
I tried using water from the display for the frag tank. I would change out 5 gallons every week from the display into the frag tank.
Well, even though I kept up with this for a while it just didn't work.
So, I added things to see if I could make it better.
1) To start with, I added ceramic blocks for filtration. I saw a local fish store had imported "japanese ceramic blocks" used for koi ponds and so I purchased them. Either I was unaware of siporax and marine pure at the time or they were not around, I am not really sure.
2 ) I added an ATO because to my surprise, water really evaporates quickly from this shallow tank.
3) I added better powerhead, I started with a Tunze and now use a maxspect gyre 230 set at 20%
4.) Still have a heater
5.) Switched to ATI T5 fixture 24 inch , bought it used so not too expensive, 8 bulbs though--lot a light
6). Racks for the frags
7) Doser, I use a bubble magus doser. I started with ESV B-ionic 2 part and a few months ago switched to Aquaforest 3 part component. I am up to 70 mm daily.
8) I change out 5 gallons weekly with freshly made saltwater, not from the display.
9) I use a tablespoon of carbon monthly in a bag.
10) I have a tiny yellow tang, a lawnmower blenny, an emerald crab, and three or four snails. Pods galore, some bristle worms and some of those tiny spidery starfish.
The frag tank has been stable for a while now. It sure seems happy and frags grow. It is interesting that I don't require an overflow but the gyre seems to agitate the surface quite a bit. The doser keeps alkalinity stable except when I don't appreciate the additional requirements of new frags added. I check my alkalinity frequently though to be sure. Surprised that I don't need a skimmer but I presume the japanese ceramic blocks and the water changes which are essentially 50% weekly, keep nutrient levels adequate. I presume the carbon helps remove some organics.
It was an interesting project seeing what I needed as far as equipment was but I think I have it down to the minimum. Long road though.
Tank sitting on bathroom counter
Gyre on visualizing surface agitation
Emerald crab showing off, tang hiding in corner photo shy
Frags
