Starting up a small frag tank

[Multiham]

Hello everyone!

My first post on R2R. I'm looking at setting up a very basic frag tank. I have a JBJ 12 gallon Nano Cube DX that was the home for my mantis shrimp for 2 years. My mantis shrimp died about 2 weeks ago and I decided I wanted to try and turn this tank into a small frag tank. Willing to spend a decent amount of money to get the right equipment (I want to use this tank as it fits nicely into my room).

If you were going to turn this tank into a frag tank, what equipment/brand would you purchase?

I appreciate any help!

Thanks!

 

[Mrfresh]

Hello and welcome to r2r multiham
So what kind of frags r u trying to grow? I.e. zoa frags, sps frags, softies...
That will dictate what specific you will want to get.

With a zoas system you want dirty water and low light...
With sps you want really clean water with strong light and water flow.

Either way I would look at getting:
Mp10 for water movement, u can do wave action with that
Get a controller
Apex jr.
That will allow you to see ur ph, temp and control the wave maker.
And if u want later you can add more to it like water top off to keep ur water from getting to salty also depending on ur lights u can control the power of ur lights or atleast set the times on timers with it
If ur going sps and u need to have good alk and cal I personally like dosing pumps. You could look at a calcium reactor as well.

Way kind of light do u have. I love LEDs but on my frag tanks I run t5s so that's another thing to think about
LEDs are great bc a lot of them now have the ability to control them
T5s are well known for growing corals amazingly....

Good luck and let us know what u do.
Pics are also good

 

[Multiham]

Thank you!

I'm going for SPS and softies. I can pick up a used MP10 and Apex controller at a decent price.

I like LED's (Lower energy use), but would go to T5's if they work better. Any reco's on brand. I have no light right now as my mantis never required one.

 

[TonsOfun]

Where are these mp10s and apexes at a decent price you speak of? lol Good luck with your new tank!

 

[slyfox29]

Multiham,

I use 4 Kessil A150w on my 48x24x10 frag tank and have success growing SPS, LPS and softies. They are not controllable, but for a shallow tank, they work perfectly! I like that they are canister lights (about the size of a soda can) so I can access my frags easily in my tank.

Good luck with the frag tank!

 

[slyfox29]

I have the Apex controller also and love it.....although, it is a big chunk from the pocket book. I opted for the lesser expensive Tunze pumps (6105s) which i have controlled by my Apex also.

I looked too for used to save some money, but eventually just bought them new and am very happy I did.