Initial plan for starter frag tank, please comment.

[HornetMech242]

When I get out of Iraq and out of the marines I plan on moving home to Michigan and start a soft frag tank. Like the title says would it be better to have a sand bed or go bare bottom?

I want to start it out right the first time and not have to keep pumping money into it on the same things. I plan on growing shrooms, zoos, leathers and other soft corals. i plan on a tank about 48x24x10 and lit by T-5's. This tank will be my first attempt to a DIY glass tank so I am reading up on that so its done right the first time. There will be two rubber made containers under the tank. The over flow will flow into tub one which will house the skimmer and any other equipment needed. That will flow into tub #2, this will be a BB refugium with some algae to take out nutrients and the return pump to the tank at the opposite end as the over flow.

This is my initial plan, equipment brand and light intensity have not been determined at this point. Please post any recommendations or flaws in my ways.

Chris

[HornetMech242]

Is there more information needed for people to comment? I am stumped on why no one has commented on it yet.

Chris

[blange3]

Hey Chris,

I'm planning a frag tank myself. Since it is a working tank and not a display I would go barebottom for easy maintenance. I would consider keeping sand in the fuge though for nitrate reduction.

I would focus on a few compatible types at first. Many softies like to play chemical warfare games. Zoos and mushrooms would be my vote, but not necessarily together as the lighting requirements are different. Strong T5's will melt your shrooms. There are many easy softies for the fun of growing like Kenya Trees and Anthelia, but no demand.

Thinking about it, you might want to try zoos and xenia. Local fish stores are interested in xenia as it doesn't ship well.

Hope this helps@

[chiclet]

yea im trying to put one up also im just doing a 15gallong long, im putting 2x65 daytime 2x65 watt actinic pc on it. i want to keep n gro softies, zoas and mushrooms. i am going bare bottom but putting a row of live rock under the egg crates, any comments on that? so i have natural filtration and i will run a magnum H.O.T filter once a week , with 2 powerheads running in the tank.

[jake levi]

Hi Chris
I didnt see your post, where in Michigan ??

Myself I have done it both ways and prefer coral bottom. It just helps to buffer better. BB I was chasing the ph all the time.

Having a refugium with chaeto is a big plus.

For what you mentioned they will do fine on shop lites, two shoplites side by side will give them ample light, xenia included.

Just hold your costs down. Leathers, mushrooms, anthelia, and xenia with many of the riccordea and buttons will do well under the cheaper lights.

A tank the size you are talking will do fine with one refugium under it with the chaeto.

How far are you from Romulous ?

Good luck, I wish you well.

[HornetMech242]

Jake,

When I get back I will be in the Westland/Inkster area. If we move to Inkster it will be as close to the border of Westland as possible. I am in Iraq right now but I get out of the Marine Corps in 215 days. Yes I am counting. But everything that you mentioned is what I planed on keeping in the tank. I have schrooms, zoos, Xenia and a yellow leather I planned on fragging after that tank is set up. The leather's head is a good 4-5" across. Some of the mushrooms I tried to cut in half and glue to a plug with success and that was in the display tank. That is currently in AZ so I will have to get them to Michigan some how.

When I get back we will have to meet up. I also plan on starting a 200-300G system depending on if we get a house. That is going to be a SPS with a few LPS and as many fish that I can fit comftorably. I have started the planning now but I am not too far along in that process. I am going to get the biggest tank I can afford.

Chris

[jake levi]

Hi Chris
let us know when you are cycling back. But who's counting right ?

For sure camp out at Dicks, that close you're a neighbor to him. Take a hard look at how he handles every species that you are interested in, keeping in mind that he is paying the bills and feeding several families. He is doing a LOT right. Its way too easy to get a whole lot of expensive stuff that somehow just doesnt do what you wanted. After the money is spent.

I am the other extreme, a minimalist. The best advice I can offer is not to spend any money until you have had a few opportunities to scope out Dicks. Then start . I use shoplites and spots with compact flos, the new 3 yr life comparable to 100-120 watts. All the light my corals need. Plus the macroalgaes.

For me what works is 29s and a few 55s/75s, I may build a 'small vat' in the spring, 7' by 3' by 30". Or go with more tanks, still comparing. I also enjoy pairs of fish in each reef tank, to me its not a reef without both. I do have a ten gallon rack array for cultures.

For sure would like to go to Dicks with you and kick around ideas, its a 3.5 hr drive for me but well worth it.

Semper Fi Marine !