My first frag system build

[VB313]

I have been watching too much BRS TV and came across this: so I decided I wanted to give it a try but On a smaller level

Got this 2’x2’x7” flood table locally from a hydroponic shop and of course got questioned what I was doing pretty sure he didn’t believe the growing coral answer lol;Hilarious
My plan:
-build a stand

- plumb the tray to 10g sump
3/4 main drain
Gate valve
3/4 emergency drain
1/2 return w/ check valve . maybe random flow generator?

-lighting I want to do LED since I don’t have any experience with t5s debating between AI prime ,Radion xr15,kesil a80 tuna blue

Ideas suggestions much appreciated

 

[VB313]

Got some goodies tonight 10g aqueon 8.99$!!!

 

[VB313]

Got a stand 80% built out of some leftovers we had from a renovation and bulkheads installed (please don’t mind my basement/shop mess)

 

[Pntbll687]

Since the 10g is so small, I'm assuming you're not running a skimmer.

I would look at black box LED lights on eBay. If this coral tank is to sell out of, you want the cheapest light that gets the job done (keeping invested money to a minimum but getting something that is proven to work). If this is just for fun and maybe growing out coral for your display, I would go with whatever lights you have on the display.

But looks pretty good for what you got going.

 

[VB313]

Since the 10g is so small, I'm assuming you're not running a skimmer.

I would look at black box LED lights on eBay. If this coral tank is to sell out of, you want the cheapest light that gets the job done (keeping invested money to a minimum but getting something that is proven to work). If this is just for fun and maybe growing out coral for your display, I would go with whatever lights you have on the display.

But looks pretty good for what you got going.

Thanks! Yeah my plan use this as a coral QT/ holding tank for when I upgrade my display In the future then eventually use it to sell trade locally from what grows from my display to support my hobby not really looking to make a business out of its just for fun plus I really enjoy messing around experimenting with the corals, right now my display is a 32g biocube filled with mostly soft coral the only sps I have is a few leptos cyphastrea and a monti so I think I can get away without a skimmer for now hopefully
Lights I’m still torn on but I’m really liking what I’m reading about AI primes.

 

[VB313]

Messing around with this baffle set I got off amazon for 20$ thinking about 5” compartment for the filter sock/cup area and about 5” for the return side leaving about 10” in the middle chamber

 

[Pntbll687]

Just be sure to have enough room to get the return pump in and out without issues.

Making things fit nice and tight may look good now, but may be terrible down there line if you have any issues. Moving the baffles by an inch or two can make a huge difference in ease of maintenance on components.

 

[VB313]

Speaking of return pumps I’ve decided to go with the IM mighty jet 538 I’m using a random flow generator also do you think I will have enough flow for such a small area or should I tee off the lock line add another RFG Or get a small jebao wave maker

 

[VB313]

Well took 9 months but I find got back to this project and ITS WET!!!

not the quietest drain still messing with the valve but it works...maybe should have reduced it after the valve to 1/2 to help it down??? Any advice/ideas welcomed

wound up being close to 15 gallons total

Still got to make a door

might add a small powerhead on a timer

And I think I’m going with a viparspectra led heard good things for the price

 

[VB313]

Added the light
Prosretty bright maybe too bright
Easy adjusting cables
Cons: a little confusing on the set up but finally figured it out
uses military timing
no ramping up or down the channels it’s just on and off

Got it about 18 inches off the surface now hopefully will be renting a par meter this weekend

tanks been running for about two weeks now got it tuned pretty well but it’s still not the quietest drain it’s going through 15 oz of top off a day added a sheet of acrylic to the top of the sump to try and combat some evaporation down to 12oz per day over the last 2 days so will definitely be adding a auto top off soon still gota make a door

can’t wait to add some frags!

 

[tricky_tran]

awesome!

 

[VB313]

Got a Ato setup over the weekend just a cheap float valve and a acrylic bracket off Amazon

hooked up to a reservoir I had laying around unexpectedly this tank go’s through some top off!
Cycle went well only about 2 weeks first week the ammonia tests would instantly turn light green but got progressively better every day used a bag of matrix from my main tank I had in there for over a year and a well established 7lb live rock from my LFS dosed a small old bottle of dr Tim’s one and only was a month past expiration so I also dosed microbacter 7 ijust to be sure

temp:79-80
Salinity: 1.026
Cal:459(Hanna)
Mag:1300ish (salifert)
Dkh: 12 (Hanna)
Phosphate:0.25 (api)
Nitrate:0 (api)
Nitrite:0(api)
Ammonia:0(api)

started dosing 0.3ml Red Sea trace colors this week and added two blue leg hermits and 5 frags I got for Christmas

But now I have my first bump in the road have some sort of patchy algea outbreak