What Equipment Would Make The Perfect Frag Tank?

[Reed639]

What Equipment Would Make The Perfect Frag Tank?
I am looking at adding some thinks to my frag tank to make it better.
Currently i Have:
Penquin hang on filter
heater
powerheads
ato
light
fan

What else do I need such as dosing pumps are somethink.
BTW IT IS A 25 GALLON FRAG TANK WITH ALL CORALS FROM SOFTIES TO LPS TO SPS.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

What are the dimensions of the tank?

 

[roblshan2000]

It all depends on how much $money$ you want to spend :wink:

 

[Reed639]

I have $150 dollars to spend.

 

[soccerbag]

I have $150 dollars to spend.

Well, if you can't plumb the frag tank into your main system, I doubt that $150 will get you the "perfect" equipment (and "perfect" is VERY subjective in this hobby). But it sounds like you already have the basics. For a smaller frag tank, you can likely get away with manual alk / Ca dosing and that will save you at least $100 + on dosing pumps. What other equipment are you thinking about getting?

 

[Reed639]

My tank has been up and running for over 5 months now I have a bunch of corals I. The tank already I was asking what would you do at far as dosing

 

[soccerbag]

Oh okay, I would get a couple of dosing pumps (typically around $80 / each for new ones) for alk and ca and then does Mag manually. And call it a day : )

 

[swannyson7]

Oh okay, I would get a couple of dosing pumps (typically around $80 / each for new ones) for alk and ca and then does Mag manually. And call it a day : )

+1. I'd keep your eyes peeled in the classifieds and you may find someone unloading some used dosing pumps. Magnesium can be dosed infrequently enough that a dosing pump isn't really necessary IMO, but is a real time saver for Ca & Alk.

 

[Reed639]

Do u think I would need to dose it that size tank

 

[soccerbag]

It would all depend on how frequent your water changes are and what brand of salt you use. Regular water changes with a salt that is higher in Mag and you may be able to get away with it. But you could likely supplement with a manual small dose once per week and would be in good shape. Mag is pretty easy to deal with. It's the alk and Ca that you need to stabilize - as you know.

 

[Reed639]

I mean if I am using I stand ocean salt doing water changes every other week do you think I would be fine

 

[Reed639]

Not I stand ocean sorry I meant reef crystals

 

[Madreef]

I would suggest a controller, at that size of aquarium it's not likely that you'll have too high of a demand for ca, alk, mag.

A RKL will offer you the opportunity to monitor ph, control temperature and switch lights on and off. These can offer insight to how to better stability.

Other possible options:

A good RODI unit. Fresh clean water for top off and mixing salt is the base of a successful tank.

"High end" test kits; the basics of calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, and strontium; Coupled with a Hannah PO4 checker will offer insight to how your water quality is doing.

These are a few ideas I would put on my wish list if I were starting to buy tank hardware and equipment.

 

[soccerbag]

I'm not sure what the Mag level is in Instant Ocean makeup water. Perhaps someone else who uses it can chime in. Depends on what Mag level you are looking for.

 

[Reed639]

Rkl or apex?

 

[Madreef]

Rkl or apex?

It depends on what functions work best for you. If you search around I'm sure you'll find several threads about the pros and cons of each.

 

[Reed639]

Bump!