Need help on setting up a frag tank

[Gravityreefing]

What is the simplest way to set up a frag tank?? I have some down time as my house is being renovated. I've so far did a build on 180 gallon DIY stand and sump as well as a 29 gallon tank. Now id like to build a 40 gallon breeder frag tank. Anyone can help me with this please.. or set up.

 

[rayn]

Simplest way? Bare bottom tank with good flow, good lighting, and a skimmer. It should be fish less so no diseases are brought in, therefore you can use live rock in it.

[HASHTAG]#reefsquad[/HASHTAG] @Humblefish

Humblefish has a good frag/QT tank I kinda copied. It's in the QT section here.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/

 

[Gravityreefing]

Thanks Ryan for your feed back. OK I can do the filter thing and a skimmer . Quedtion do i really need to add a sump on it? Only fish I was going to add was a pair of black mollies that I have read eat hair algae and that's it.

 

[rayn]

I don't think a sump is needed. Neither my frag or QT tank have sumps. They may help, but not needed if water changes are kept up and nutrients in check.

Remember to QT and make sure the mollies are clean. No point in having ich covered fish in frag tank to infest the DT.

 

[Gravityreefing]

Point well taken Ryan and thank u so much for ur help. Can't wait to start my saltwater setups and get them cycled. Can you suggest a decent skimmer for the 40 breeder frag tank and a light source would also be helpfull ?? Thanks again in advance . I bought the 40 breeder for a dollar a gallon also just picked up a 20 gallon long for QT tank.

 

[Shep]

Simplest way to do a frag tank is get a tank, add some powerheads, maybe a small protein skimmer and then top it off with lights and you are good to go! You can add sumps and dosers and and ATO if you want but in its simplest form a frag tank needs very little. Unless you add food or fish there will be little nutrients to worry about.

 

[Gravityreefing]

Thanks shep and all who was willing to help. I will be getting a small skimmer and hang on the back filter and powerheads I have just need li g ts now that's it.

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

I would ditch any hob filter, use sand or rocks in the tank instead. At least a minimal amount, then the critters can "clean the filter" instead of you.
Also get a couple snails, hermit crab, and a peppermint shrimp to take care of any random aptasia.

 

[Gravityreefing]

Ok so no hob filter. Just a skimmer and circulation with a heater and am fine??correct. I have another question that someone can answer for me. Should I say recommendation. A protein skimmer for the 40 breeder nothing too crazy just something that's gonna do the job. Also ligthing. T5 or led recommendation please..

 

[Gravityreefing]

I would ditch any hob filter, use sand or rocks in the tank instead. At least a minimal amount, then the critters can "clean the filter" instead of you.
Also get a couple snails, hermit crab, and a peppermint shrimp to take care of any random aptasia.

The rock I may do but not sand. I think it will be a pain to clean. I'll also ditch the hob filter. Thank u. Can u answer any of my question about skimmer OR T5 or led for the tank??

 

[Davereefman]

Thanks Ryan for your feed back. OK I can do the filter thing and a skimmer . Quedtion do i really need to add a sump on it? Only fish I was going to add was a pair of black mollies that I have read eat hair algae and that's it.

I would add a few reef fish, the corals seen to like the natural nutrients and the company.

 

[Brian Kim]

Maybe this can help http://reef2reef.com/threads/inexpensive-frag-tank-build.228119/

 

[gcrawford]

I had the idea to do this with a 40 breeder (thanks petco dollar/gallon sale). I connected this to an existing 75 gallon system so I didn't have to keep up cal, mag, alk and nutrient export on a second tank. The existing system does everything including heating the water. Just had to add the tank, stand, lighting, two mp10s and of course the plumbing to and from the sump.

 

[Gravityreefing]

That is a very nice set up If I may say so myself..

 

[Kungpaoshizi]

Check out the smallest tunze, it's like 8 inches high and 2.5 inches wise.. It runs pretty well too, though you might go with the 2nd lowest size, unless you go with an external or such.
I would caution against any fish in the tank too, it's just another nutrient source. (and waste != food)
Maybe get a peppermint shrimp for any aptasia that might come along, hermits/snails for any algae. If you go the fish route, I know the sixline wrasse is popular for taking care of some pests.

And go with led's. You've got some reading to do, but it's worth it. (and only do sand if you can do larger weekly wc's or carbon dose/nopox)

 

[Gravityreefing]

Thanks for the advice

 

[Gravityreefing]

Ok.. so I took alot of everyone opinions and got the 40 breeder. I also picked up a 234 6 bulb t5 at 39 what's with 6 leds build into it for the frag tank.. the only thing now is to build a stand to occupy the frag tank and the QT tank. I however have not found a skimmer as of yet.i know kungpaoshizi said to look at a tunze.. that skimmer is internal.does anyone have experience with this skimmer anyone using it now..

 

[Gravityreefing]

I was going to go with led for the frag tank but decided to do an experiment instead of the frag tank the 29 gallon and the 180 gallon tank. OK this is what my experiment will be. The 180 will have 4 hydra 26's on it with 4 36" t5 strips that will be ATI blue plus bulbs on it. The 29 gallons will ha e just one hydra 26 on it with this skimmer

.

 

[Gravityreefing]

I will be putting identitical sps and lps in all 3 tanks and seeing which one has the best growth and color..should be fun and am excited and can't wait.. I will have pictures of the 180 build up soon and the 29 gallon. And my newest project the frag and QT build stand and tank put together..