Frag Tank Help

GeoHawk · Oct 10, 2013

Ok, so I tried to set up a frag tank last spring and it didn't work out too well. I think it was a few things lack of adding ca/alk everyday, failure to let the tank cycle before adding fraggs, and a heater that went bad.
Here is the thread to it the first time https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/me...y-removed-order-grow-another-colony-tank.html

23 gallon 24X18X12
HOB filter
Koralia
aqueon heater
Nova Extreem SLR 4 bulb 96 watt T5

I am thinking of adding a contoller with dosing pumps. Either getting a RKL or replacing my RKL on my display with an Apex or RKE, and using my RKL on my display on the frag tank.
I will also jimmy rig an ato
Tank will be bare bottom with some rock from my sump

I think this will keep the parameters stable.

Now for my questions
Do I need a skimmer to have a long term frag tank?
Would you get a reactor for carbon or GFO?
Do I need alot of rock?
Do I need more for flow than a single koralia?

What else am I missing? I do not want to fail at a frag tank for a second time. I would just hook it up to my 60 gallon cube, but it wont fit in my living room and I cant plumb it to the basement.

Please give me any advice that you have.

Chameleon · Oct 10, 2013

Now for my questions
Do I need a skimmer to have a long term frag tank?
I think its best...
Would you get a reactor for carbon or GFO?
not necessarily...I prefer not to run GFO, carbon I would run as necessary
Do I need alot of rock?
Nope, but it doesn't hurt so if you have a sump stick some in there
Do I need more for flow than a single koralia?
I think more flow is better. I like at least two powerheads so I can angle them towards each other so the impact of the two flows leads to more chaotic mixing flow

looks like you are on the right track. just keep things stable and keep up on water changes and it should be good. I would use water from your display water changes

GeoHawk · Oct 11, 2013

Any cheap skimmers that would do the job for 23 gallons?

bigcapct · Oct 11, 2013

GeoHawk said:
Any cheap skimmers that would do the job for 23 gallons?

Look into a bubble magus 3.5 cone skimmer

goodtimes · Oct 11, 2013

A tunze 9004 would be a great fit for that size tank.

GeoHawk · Oct 13, 2013

Since the frag tank wont have a sump should I just place the skimmer in the tank?

goodtimes · Oct 13, 2013

A tunze 9004 would go in the tank and use very little space. It mounts with magnets. There's also no chance of it leaking or overflowing since its in the tank.

calvo15290 · Oct 13, 2013

I have a pse3 for sale

GeoHawk · Oct 13, 2013

goodtimes said:
A tunze 9004 would go in the tank and use very little space. It mounts with magnets. There's also no chance of it leaking or overflowing since its in the tank.

Perfect I think I will go with the tunze then.

calvo15290 said:
I have a pse3 for sale

What is pse3?

I think Im going to fill the tank with 1/2 fresh saltwater and 1/2 water from my cube. Ill get 2 600 gph koralias, the skimmer and a RKL with BRS dosing pumps. Use gravity assisted ATO to keep water level stable, and an hob filter for carbon. I will build a rack from pvc and egg crate. Since Im using water from my display I should be able to add frags soon right? Planning on zoas for now sps in a couple months. For lighting I was going to go with 2 ATI blue plus 1 geissman actinic plus and 1 geissman aquablue plus (may have name off a bit).

Any other thoughts or advice?

calvo15290 · Oct 13, 2013

GeoHawk said:
Perfect I think I will go with the tunze then.

What is pse3?

I think Im going to fill the tank with 1/2 fresh saltwater and 1/2 water from my cube. Ill get 2 600 gph koralias, the skimmer and a RKL with BRS dosing pumps. Use gravity assisted ATO to keep water level stable, and an hob filter for carbon. I will build a rack from pvc and egg crate. Since Im using water from my display I should be able to add frags soon right? Planning on zoas for now sps in a couple months. For lighting I was going to go with 2 ATI blue plus 1 geissman actinic plus and 1 geissman aquablue plus (may have name off a bit).

Any other thoughts or advice?

It's basically a sump it's a protein skimmer a uv sterilizer and a chamber for carbon ware are you located I might be able to help with the lights and I'd do at least 4 bulbs for t5 or mh

GeoHawk · Oct 14, 2013

Ive got the light fixture. Im thinking I dont want to do a sump. I want least complicated and most efficient as possible, since it is mostly going to be used as a coral farm.

calvo15290 · Oct 14, 2013

GeoHawk said:
Ive got the light fixture. Im thinking I dont want to do a sump. I want least complicated and most efficient as possible, since it is mostly going to be used as a coral farm.

That's the good part of the pse3 skimmer uv sterilizer then "filter"

GeoHawk · Oct 21, 2013

Any thoughts on Reef Octopus bh 90 HOB skimmer vs. the Tunze 9004?
Im just concerned the Reef Octopus wont have enough room to clear the outside of the tank, because it is only 12 inches.