frag tank set up part 2

[bkvreef]

Ok, here I am going to try again.
I have several frags that I'd like to put in a frag tank but the last one was less than successful.
Here's what I did/used last time:
10g tank
110 seaclone skimmer
2 x 65 w power compact (I actually have 4 x 65w, but it wouldn't fit over the 10gal)
plenty of eggcrate and pvc

Things I did wrong:
I think not putting in a sand bed added to my algea outbreak.
The seaclone added microbubbles to the tank so it wasn't a whole lot of help.

I was thinking about a 20-30 gall.
Same p.c.'s
possibly the seaclone (if I can set up bubble trap on one end of the tank)
1-2" of sand.
Any other suggestions?

This is very raw so feel free to butcher any ideas (I have pretty tough skin  )

[jd]

Could you pump it into a larger system?

[TechGuy]

What do you intend to keep? A 10G tank with no sump seems a bit small.

You can get 2X20G longs, and an Iron stand for less than $100, and have a decent setup.

But what your wanting to keep will be the deciding factor here.

[bkvreef]

Could you pump it into a larger system?

I'd rather not.
It would be easier but not reasonable given my setup.

[bkvreef]

What do you intend to keep? A 10G tank with no sump seems a bit small.

You can get 2X20G longs, and an Iron stand for less than $100, and have a decent setup.

But what your wanting to keep will be the deciding factor here.

I have the stand also.
I guess part of my question is: with knowing that I can lift the frags up with pvc and egg crate, What would I be limited to with the p.c.'s?
I am probably leaning away from any acro's etc. (no sps).

[jd]

Check you Nikki's 'The little tank that shouldn't' thread. She has an awesome little 10gal frag system. But its has a sump with it as well

[TechGuy]

Check you Nikki's 'The little tank that shouldn't' thread. She has an awesome little 10gal frag system. But its has a sump with it as well

The sump and the decent skimmer in her's is what makes it work. Personally I wouldn't do a frag tank without a sump.

I guess its kinda like a Pico tank, limited only by how atentive you are to the system. Big changes happen fast in a volume of water that small.

[Reefd Up]

The sump and the decent skimmer in her's is what makes it work. Personally I wouldn't do a frag tank without a sump.

I guess its kinda like a Pico tank, limited only by how atentive you are to the system. Big changes happen fast in a volume of water that small.

Actually, I didn't add the skimmer until a month ago.  I kept SPS in that tank for a year without a skimmer.  A sump isn't critical if balance is kept in the main tank.  This means a non-invasive type of algae, stable temperature, a good auto-topoff system, etc.  I would recommend a sump, but it's not impossible.

[bkvreef]

Well since everyone seems to recommend a sump.  How can I get a tank drilled?

[TechGuy]

Well since everyone seems to recommend a sump.  How can I get a tank drilled?

Justin @ Aquatic Specialists can do it.

@ Nikki, as I said, attentive you are, the force is with you. Its not easy to maintain a balance in a 10G tank.

[JP2006]

John, I have a 65 gallon tank with a sump. Ill make you a hack of a deal on it.  I was going to use it as a frag tank with stepped eggcrate, but I set up a 120 gal frag tank instead.

[bkvreef]

I'll call you later!  Thanks

[satch12]

Well since everyone seems to recommend a sump.  How can I get a tank drilled?

Could also use a dremel tool with a diamond bit. there’s a thread on RC that shows this i will have to find it, but that is what i used to drill my 24gal nano. It just takes some patience and time. I was able to drill mine in about an hour.

[UD Flyer]

This might be an option you could use. Its extremely small for an overflow, I think I read somewhere that its 2in X 3in X 3in.

 http://www.shop.sapphireaquatics.com/product.sc?productId=8&categoryId=7

[bkvreef]

Ok I have a 15 gallon and I'm going to either use a 20 gal rubbermaid container or a 10gal tank that I have for the sump.
I also was able to get a Mag 5 brand new for $45 yesterday.

So heres my next question:
With the increased water (over my previous 10gal attempt) do I need sand?

I am planning on getting a clamp light to put over the sump and add some macro algea.

Anything else that I'm missing?

[TechGuy]

Ok I have a 15 gallon and I'm going to either use a 20 gal rubbermaid container or a 10gal tank that I have for the sump.
I also was able to get a Mag 5 brand new for $45 yesterday.

So heres my next question:
With the increased water (over my previous 10gal attempt) do I need sand?

I am planning on getting a clamp light to put over the sump and add some macro algea.

Anything else that I'm missing?

Sand in the sump for sure. In the tank, depends on what your keeping. I would put sand in the tank.

[bkvreef]

If I put several inches of sand in the sump do I need it in the frag tank?
I'd have the first half the sump with sand and macro algea, then the 2nd the skimmer and return pump.

[satch12]

Like techguy said it depends on what  you want to keep in the frag tank. If you keep sps i definitely wouldn't put sand in the frag tank, because you want a lot of flow and sand would just make things harder on yourself. Its really up to you and what you like.

[bkvreef]

That was my thought, that I would have a decent amount of flow in the frag tank and leave it bare bottom and have the sand in the sump with the macroalgea.

[JP2006]

I would try to go with at least 3" of sand in your sump, then a bare bottom in the tank. Are you using eggcrate to get the frags up into flow?

[bkvreef]

My plan is to run PVC on two levels in the frag tank.  Go bare bottom in it and 3-4" deep in my sump.  I will also have some macroalgea in the sump.  I actually have a rubbermaid container that I may use for a fuge in between the display tank and the sump.

But yes definitely bare bottom in the display/frag

[bkvreef]

OK Ok Ok here it goes (yet another idea)

This will all be in my basement (unfinished) so beauty is not a major concern.

Display tank (15+ gallons) with bare bottom and PVC for the return pump.  With
4 x 65 power compact lighting over it.

Off of the display I will use PVC and T that to the rubbermaid refugium with a control valve to regulate flow.  In the sump I will do a 2-4" deep sand bed with cheato, and a clamp light over it.

The sump and the majority of the display will flow down to the sump where I will have a precious seaclone skimmer (note sarcasm) and my return pump (Mag 5).

Suggestions always welcome!

[TechGuy]

Hey now. I have a sealclone on my wifes tank. It actually works alright. Pulls out quite a bit of funk!

[bkvreef]

Good I hope mine will do the same!!!