New Frag Tub Setup

[Shine5555]

Hello All,

I am in the Process of Setting up a new Frag Tub. My Goal is to list out the build and keep track of progress and $$ invested as the possibility of a guide for others

This is what so Far...I own an Aquatic Plant and Koi nursery, so I am using some of the items I can get from that side of the world.

I plan to use the Eheim SubstratPro biological filtration spheres on the bottom of the tray. I will have Black egg crate for the frags to sit up a little on.

Questions
1. Lights - I can get a pair of Kessil A360W-E for a decent price (500.00 ish) or a pair of G4 Radion LED lights (1600.00 ish) or start with Sun Blaze T5 with 2x ATI Coral Plus and 2x ATI Blue Plus (250.00 ish). My thinking is.... the Kessils because they will hold their value if this does not work out
2. Filter/Sump - I am going to use another Plant bucket that holds about 40 gallons.... Should I just fill with live rock and some algae for the filter? I was thinking of an external protein skimmer
3. Anyone setup one like this before? Ideas or suggestions?

Botanicare Grow Tray, 2 by 4-Feet, White - 52.5 x 28.5 x 8 inches - 94.90
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJIBMIK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fast Fit Tray Stand 2 ft x 4 ft - 109.95
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZU6WEQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fast Fit Light Hanging Bar for 2 ft x 4 ft - 38.51
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJILWEO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fast Fit Light Stand Kit Upright 4 ft - 109.53
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZU6KXE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cobalt Neo-Therm heaters (100 Watt) - 65.50 x 2 = 131.00
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/cobalt-neo-therm-submersible-heater.html

Eheim SubstratPro biological filtration spheres (5 Litters) 75.99
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/eheim-substrat-pro-bio-filter-media.html

 

[Denisk]

I had this type of tub. Didn’t use it for very long.

Pros:
Cheap
Durable
Easy to plumb and drill

Cons:
Getting the flow right is hard due to the shallowness
Very easy to burn coral (do to how shallow it is)
Hard to clean if you get film algae.

All of these are things you can figure out if tinker with it but I would invest into a glass frag tank if money allows you to. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

 

[Shine5555]

I had this type of tub. Didn’t use it for very long.

Pros:
Cheap
Durable
Easy to plumb and drill

Cons:
Getting the flow right is hard due to the shallowness
Very easy to burn coral
Hard to clean if you get s film algae.

All of these are things you can figure out if tinker with it but I would invest into a glass frag tank if money allows you to. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

Thank You for the feedback What did the glass tank help with? Mainly the depth?.... Did you ever get the pump dialed in? What size pimp did you end up with? I will have to play with the light a lot to be sure not to burn anything, good tip

 

[Denisk]

Thank You for the feedback What did the glass tank help with? Mainly the depth?.... Did you ever get the pump dialed in? What size pimp did you end up with? I will have to play with the light a lot to be sure not to burn anything, good tip

Of course!

Glass helped because it was really nice to view the coral from the front but also the cleaning was really easy. Also the moment your wavemakers are on, you will not see your corals until you turn the flow off due to the ripples in the water.

I used a jebao dcs 4000 but I can double check.

As far as lighting goes, a lux meter (15 bucks on amazon) can be very helpful if you can’t get a par meter. It’ll help you get an idea of the amount of light hitting the surface of the water.

 

[Cnidoblast]

I have used Eheim SubstratPro before - it leaches silica big time - might I recommend some generic bioballs for your sump?

Also good move getting a skimmer for the sump

 

[Shine5555]

I have used Eheim SubstratPro before - it leaches silica big time - might I recommend some generic bioballs for your sump?

Also good move getting a skimmer for the sump

Thanks, I did not know about the Silica

 

[Cnidoblast]

These are the bioballs I currently use (gotta clean mine soon) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U9TKJDK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1 just put them into a reef safe filterbag (please do not use the bags that come with the balls - they have steel in them)

 

[Shine5555]

Thank You for all the input.... Any thoughts on Lights? I was thinking about these
MarsAqua Dimmable 165W LED x 3 - https://www.amazon.com/MarsAqua-Dim...=1519931516&sr=1-2&keywords=mars+coral+lights

or

The Kessil A360WE x 3

 

[Cnidoblast]

@Dana Riddle

 

[Shine5555]

Thank You guys for all your response, I am going to change it up, based on reading and what has been posted. I am no longer going to update this thread, and create a new one for my 80 gallon Shallow deep blue tank. I think you guys helped me decide that would be best long term...

My only problem, the tank is so nice, I want to have it as a display tank . I must resist, I need a frag tank