Frag Tank Filtration Question

[JCSReefing]

I currently set up a DIY frag tank of roughly 24g or so. I have the frag tank with drain leading to a wide open sump with no chamber just simply to put filtration in it. I currently am running a biowheel 200 penguin and replaced the blue/carbon filter pad that came with it and put a media bag with carbon and gfo in it. My question is, is this enough filtration for this type of system or should I put some pond matrix or similar filteration also in the bottom of the sump? Possibly a skimmer? What would you all suggest as this is my first go around trying a frag tank?

 

[ebushrow]

Skimmer - Yes especially in a frag tank
live rock if you do not have any there already.....
if you want finer filtration, you could add a filter sock...no need for the penguin filter

 

[JCSReefing]

I understand. I was actually trying to get away without spending the 100-100's dollars on a skimmer which is why I saw some people use biowheel filters instead since there is no fish in my frag tank and didn't think there would be much waste for need of a skimmer? I don't mind getting one of course if it will help keep clean and promote growth.

 

[ebushrow]

I understand. I was actually trying to get away without spending the 100-100's dollars on a skimmer which is why I saw some people use biowheel filters instead since there is no fish in my frag tank and didn't think there would be much waste for need of a skimmer? I don't mind getting one of course if it will help keep clean and promote growth.

I see the use of the skimmer more to remove the wastes by corals than by fish....alot of stuff is expelled in the metabolic process and mucus replacement that I personally like to get rid of. For a 24 gallon tank, a skimmer should be pretty cheap, especially if you get one on here used....it should be under 100.00 for a decent brand. If you just do weekly water changes you can probably get away with it, but I over filter anyways

 

[ahiggins]

if you dont have fish and dont feed that much (ie not much waste) then you could get away with no skimmer. I would def get some live rock.
The problem youll run into with no fish is no nutrients in the system/water column. I have two 4" fish in my 40 gal. Not a lot but enough to get nitrates in there
Good luck

 

[ahiggins]

I see the use of the skimmer more to remove the wastes by corals than by fish....alot of stuff is expelled in the metabolic process and mucus replacement that I personally like to get rid of. For a 24 gallon tank, a skimmer should be pretty cheap, especially if you get one on here used....it should be under 100.00 for a decent brand. If you just do weekly water changes you can probably get away with it, but I over filter anyways

I do too! lol I started running my skimmer on the frag tank 12 hrs rather than 24. Im not pulling anything out.

 

[JCSReefing]

Another question i have which may be really dumb but since there is no fish (as of now) can i use some coral RX in the frag tank system so it will be in there or just use it as a dip?
Also,
all water parimeters are completely fine when tested. Its been up and running with two peices of trumpet coral and kenya tree on a peice of live rock from my display. I am running 4 bulb t5 about 17" above the frag tank with 2-api blue plus and 2-api coral plus bulbs for roughly 9hrs a day. With all this being said, after about 3weeks now i see more harm/depletion than growth. What else can i be forgetting here???

 

[ahiggins]

Another question i have which may be really dumb but since there is no fish (as of now) can i use some coral RX in the frag tank system so it will be in there or just use it as a dip?
Also,
all water parimeters are completely fine when tested. Its been up and running with two peices of trumpet coral and kenya tree on a peice of live rock from my display. I am running 4 bulb t5 about 17" above the frag tank with 2-api blue plus and 2-api coral plus bulbs for roughly 9hrs a day. With all this being said, after about 3weeks now i see more harm/depletion than growth. What else can i be forgetting here???

can you list your parameters? "fine" is subjective...
Also, no on the coral rx. You dont want that to be a constant for your coral. I even do a double dip to get as much off before I add the frags to the system. I started a new tank a few months ago and I didnt get through the new phase until about 2 months in-negative effects on coral.

If you have lps/softies, youre going to want a fish in there to get some nutrients (ie fishie poo) even if its just a damsel or something. I just put a midas blenny in mine with a small dispar anthia

 

[JCSReefing]

parimiters;
Ph:8.2
ammonia: 0ppm
nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 2ppm
calcium: 480
dkh: 7.9
Phosphate: 4ppb ( which is 0.12 ppm)

 

[ahiggins]

Maybe someone else can chime in but Im pretty sure your phos/nitrate ratios are out of whack. alk doesnt look too bad.
have you tested your par readings?

 

[JCSReefing]

i wish i owned a par reader. lol, thinking of buying a used seneye for some type of ball park.

 

[ahiggins]

look into borrowing from the LFS. mine usually lets people borrow or rent it out. I just did more readings over the weekend with theirs. (I believe $350 online)

 

[JCSReefing]

called a couple stores and none have one to borrow or rent. sucks.. anyways, i was thinking of since my parameters all look pretty decent, the only thing i can come up with why my trumpet corals and kenya tree corals i put in the frag tank to "test" it out are dying. I have it currently in my laundry room so its out of sight type deal. I noticed the other day some stuff floating around in it. Im thinking it is lint or some particals when my wife does the dryer. Could this at all be harmful to the corals? Or , is there most likely something else wrong that i am missing. ???

 

[JCSReefing]

Anyone? I'm about to just take it all down and start over

 

[jungvarsky]

Where are you located if near Cleveland OH I can help ya

 

[JCSReefing]

Unfortunately not. Houston

 

[ahiggins]

Where are you located if near Cleveland OH I can help ya

yay more cleveland people!!

 

[JCSReefing]

Here is a quick shot of the video. This was just my trial but now it's set up and it drains to a 25g Rubbermaid grey tub with a penguin 200 filter that has rubble rock and carbon/GFO bag in it.http://

 

[JCSReefing]