Thinking about a frag tank, need advice

Rhino · Sep 6, 2013

So I have been thinking about setting up a frag tank for a while now. I just have not decided where I wanted it or how large. The wife suggested last night that I stop trying to sell the 40 breeder and instead set it up as a nice, clean, simple frag tank. I don't really want to spend a lot of money on this so budget friendly is in mind. What I don't know is how to setup a frag tank, research shows though that its more or less just like a display tank. I do not plan on using a sump or drilling the tank. I only plan to have corals in here no fish. Will I need a skimmer or can I skip on one? Also, I plan on just using my fluval 305 to run chemo pure elite, carbon, and excel. I plan to do the tank bare bottom for easy cleaning. For my lighting I am going to use my dual t5ho and supplement with some form of LEDs. Thoughts, comments, suggestions?

McAllyn · Sep 6, 2013

Do you need a skimmer... no. Would it help... yeah, probably. Would I use one... yes. A simple HOB skimmer wouldn't hinder your system. Although, regular cleaning and water changes could perform the same function.

Lighting will really depend on what you're wanting to grow out. SPS need a lot. LPS need decent amounts. Softies need some. NPS need none.

A 40 breeder would be a great size for a frag tank although a little deeper than most commercially available frag tanks. Plenty of room to build shelves to raise and lower corals according to light and flow needs.

Mac

Rhino · Sep 6, 2013

I don't plan on any sps. Just zoas, some Lps, maybe some softies.

Dowtish · Sep 6, 2013

The best way to setup a frag tank is to tie it into the your existing tank. The reason I say this is you will find that in a very short time you will be not happy with having to do everything twice. Your parameters will be different than your main tank no matter how hard you try to keep them the same. You will have to test twice, you will have to do 2 water changes instead of one etc. I know this because I have been doing it this way for well over a year now. And in the end the frag tank gets neglected.

A separate tank is best when it is for QT only. A frag tank is best when it is just another area for corals that come from the main tank to grow out. Plus the benefit of extra water volume is always good. I know this isnt always a possibility because of space etc, but I would make arrangements to do it that way or at least consider what you are going to have to do to maintain 2 tanks.

Scutterborn · Sep 6, 2013

Dowtish said:
The best way to setup a frag tank is to tie it into the your existing tank. The reason I say this is you will find that in a very short time you will be not happy with having to do everything twice. Your parameters will be different than your main tank no matter how hard you try to keep them the same. You will have to test twice, you will have to do 2 water changes instead of one etc. I know this because I have been doing it this way for well over a year now. And in the end the frag tank gets neglected.

A separate tank is best when it is for QT only. A frag tank is best when it is just another area for corals that come from the main tank to grow out. Plus the benefit of extra water volume is always good. I know this isnt always a possibility because of space etc, but I would make arrangements to do it that way or at least consider what you are going to have to do to maintain 2 tanks.

Yup. That^^^