Starting 34G Frag Tank - Need Advice

[Tim1228]

I have purchased a DSA 24" x 24" x 14" Frag tank and stand. It came with a free ~10G sump. The LFS said just to use ChemiPure and Phosban in the sump, wil that work? My experience is only with a refugium on my DT. I am planning on having no substrate in tank, just eggcrate. Any help or suggestions would be aprreciated. Thanks.

 

[Koaboy]

I just started a 40-breeder frag tank. Bare-bottom except for a little live rock under the frag racks & a couple fish. Just added snails the other day.

 

[Tim1228]

How high did you elevate your racks? Did you use PVC? Also, Can you get enough LR in a Frag tank to matter like that. I know on my DT I have about 150 pounds on a 110 gallon?

 

[Tim1228]

Excuse the stupid question but what is the difference in a "breeder" tank?

 

[Koaboy]

I did 3-levels of egg crate racks & used PVC to elevate them. I only have 10-lbs of live rock, all smaller pieces. Seemed to make sense to add it. The blennies like to eat off of it, so I guess it helps. I cycled mine with bacteria to help speed things along. I saw a little ammonia, then nitrite, then nitrate. Now all three are zero so I've started testing calc/alk/mag. Everything seems fine.

 

[Tim1228]

Do you have a sump or Skimmer?

 

[Koaboy]

I think "breeder" is just a term to describe the measurements. The term probably meant something else at one time. No sump, no skimmer (maybe later). Just a Fluval 206. It doesn't have much work to do. There is a Hydor 650(?) for surface agitation.

 

[Tim1228]

Yeah, you are correct about the breeder, I Googled it it appears it basically a low sided usually more square tank. THANKS for you input. I'm just kinda leary about this sump with just ChemiPure and Phosban in it?? Might be better off with a Canister like you.

 

[Koaboy]

Canisters come with a set of "rules" that absolutely must be followed. Must be cleaned VERY regularly. I clean mine every week, and actually change the medium once a month. In my two larger tanks, I just took the media out & only use it to provide flow to carbon/GFO/Purigen. I have a skimmer on each of them (HOB). I would never tell a new person that canisters are the way to go!

 

[Tim1228]

Thanks Koa, I'm going to give the Sump a try and see what happens.

 

[Koaboy]

Good move. Nice thing is that you can hide a lot of equipment in a sump. My frag tank isn't a show tank...just a place to keep fresh frags for a couple weeks until I unload them.

 

[Tim1228]

Yeah, I've an area in my DT where I have 7 frags and it looks kinda crappy.