Ohio Reef

Reef Discussion => Fish Breeding & Coral Propagation => Topic started by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 14:40:58

Title: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 14:40:58
how should you start a frag tank
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: DarinSchmidt on November 27, 2011, 14:47:07
There are many ways, you can do a sandless or sanded bed, use egg crate to make shelves, put corals on plugs, put a light over them, make sure theres enough flow, make sure you do regular water changes/dose chemicals to help between water changes, ample light. Depends on how you want to set it up. You can tie it into your Main Display tank so that you have more water volume.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 14:50:59
should they be quarantined ?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: DarinSchmidt on November 27, 2011, 14:56:57
when starting out i would, eventually you will notice certain things (diseases) etc. but always quarantining them isnt a bad idea. i dont usually if i know where it came from, etc.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 14:59:20
is it better to use slow or fast moving water
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: DarinSchmidt on November 27, 2011, 15:05:46
Depends on the type of coral.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Kenn on November 27, 2011, 15:06:26
These pictures are over a year old. However, it should give you an idea or two on how you might want to set one up.

This grow-out tank is a 20 Long hooked up to a 37g display tank.

There are pros and cons on hooking up a frag tank to a display. It would have to be your decision :)

I am very happy with mine

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg580.imageshack.us%2Fimg580%2F7996%2Fdsc00061im.jpg&hash=635d5f6e97d551ad7d229bdcb9c72431a4df7b4b)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg87.imageshack.us%2Fimg87%2F1874%2Fdsc00062mo.jpg&hash=8c03eb50dab269edea4de6abf623eba5001b87e3)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg580.imageshack.us%2Fimg580%2F9642%2Fdsc00070cq.jpg&hash=a56ff4596e027a3bd4c058d0e50464f0d76d175c)
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 15:09:03
is it a good idea to put some fish or crabs in with them? if i dont have a frag tank can i put them in the refuge tank or show tank?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Ashlar on November 27, 2011, 15:26:56
It's a good idea to have some cleanup crew in a frag tank, but it really depends on how much nuisance algae you get.

Some astrea or turbos may be enough if you don't get much algae.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 15:32:29
what coarl is the best to start fraging?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Kenn on November 27, 2011, 15:41:28
Montipora Coral
Zoanthids (my favorite :) )
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Ashlar on November 27, 2011, 15:45:21
Leathers are also easy.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Frowelab.com%2Ffish%2Ftoadstool.jpg&hash=c2c1e34a8b6e10804d4a92c66dabcf0e8bb3cde9)
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 15:51:34
what is the hardest?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Ashlar on November 27, 2011, 16:23:57
Well, the hardest IMHO would be some that are non-photosynthetic- therefore they require a LOT of food, pretty regularly. Makes it tough keeping the water clean.

Deep-water acros, maybe? Some of the non-photosynthetic gorgonians?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Kenn on November 27, 2011, 17:10:55
Hardest ...(almost)  ALL SPS   :)
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: HUNGER on November 27, 2011, 18:02:03
heres my frag tank  but best thing to do is go look at every ones frag tank and take what works best for u and put it all toghter
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg823.imageshack.us%2Fimg823%2F1092%2Fdscn0l001.jpg&hash=d230f06bddc75e2e237efdd940dc03b99420c60d)
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg266.imageshack.us%2Fimg266%2F513%2Fdscn5666d.jpg&hash=7b7cef4532c566db90c60dc5eaa0e3192ca6f87f)
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 19:38:26
if i dont have a frag tank yet could i put them in the bottom tank or the show tank?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Ashlar on November 27, 2011, 19:43:32
Sure, if you have the room. You can make a small frag rack with a magfloat and some egg crate, or some PVC pipe and egg crate, if you can hang it over the edge of the display tank.

Here's a small one I did a while back..

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsrv.rowelab.com%2Ffish%2Fcorner_tank%2Fct_fragrack.jpg&hash=8b62f8a6d1c6b3e0a0ed8904fa4077c82c98fb3d)
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 19:49:09
what kinds of fish will try to eat them
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Ashlar on November 27, 2011, 19:59:52
Well, you wouldn't want any fish that eat coral- basically, look up fish and make sure your favorite source classifies them as 'reef safe'.

That's not a 100% guarantee, since some fish can get a taste for corals, but it's a good rule of thumb to start with.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: slandis3 on November 27, 2011, 20:00:54
I don't have a frag tank but I made a frag rack that sits in my main tank.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp100%2Fsarah25_04%2Fcid__Resampled_2011-11-26_19-50-12_236_.jpg&hash=80d9eb2d989503cf1584febebcad9eaa3c6f28fc)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi126.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fp100%2Fsarah25_04%2F010-1.jpg&hash=d797f66fad70a480fc29c5c3dfe82c7078afaad2)
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 20:09:20
can sponges be in a tank and/or fragged?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Ashlar on November 27, 2011, 20:21:34
There are very few colorful sponges that you can buy that will last long term in your tank.

Now, if you have a tank for enough time, and you maintain the water, you will have a variety of sponges grow, from tiny pineapple-looking scypha sponges; orange, white, or yellow cinachyra ball sponges; to black, purple and yellow encrusting sponges; etc.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 20:32:26
any ideas on the names? where can you buy them?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Kenn on November 27, 2011, 20:39:42
what kinds of fish will try to eat them

IMO ... A small six line wrasse is a must in a frag tank :)

Excellent pest control. Just make sure you have egg crate or something on top of the tank. Wrasse are jumpers.

Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 27, 2011, 20:41:59
what are some of the pests?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Kenn on November 27, 2011, 20:46:51
OMG ...LOL
Red flat worms for starters
Certain snails

google up the wrasse and pest to get better info :)
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Ashlar on November 27, 2011, 20:50:36
any ideas on the names? where can you buy them?

Names for the sponges? Not many, no. Ask around at a local frag swap, though- I have no doubt that a more experienced reefer would be glad to harvest some sponge for you. Thing is, most of the sponges that grow naturally in our tanks do so on the underside of rocks, or in shaded areas.

Not exactly frag rack material.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 28, 2011, 14:54:45
do you need to take the corals in a seperate container to frag them?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Neogenesis on November 28, 2011, 15:41:15
If it's a coral that may slime a lot....I take it to a seperate container, however if it's something that poses no risk....I pull it out, frag, glue then it's right back into the frag tank.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 28, 2011, 15:54:13
do they need diffrent water conditions
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Neogenesis on November 28, 2011, 15:56:32
Does what need different water conditions.....corals for pre and post frag?  The answer is no, keep your parameters the same throughout all your tanks, that way no extra stress will be induced with moving them around.

Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 28, 2011, 16:00:19
whats pre and post frags
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Neogenesis on November 28, 2011, 16:02:31
I just meant where your keeping your coral before "pre" and after "post" fragging.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 28, 2011, 16:08:35
is there anything other than corals that can be fragged?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: slandis3 on November 28, 2011, 16:18:10
is there anything other than corals that can be fragged?

Your fingers if you get to close to a knife lol.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Kenn on November 28, 2011, 16:21:30
is there anything other than corals that can be fragged?

Like mushrooms and rics for an example ? is this what you mean by other than corals ?

Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Kenn on November 28, 2011, 16:22:34
Your fingers if you get to close to a knife lol.


Your a bad bad man mike  :hysterical:
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 28, 2011, 16:23:49
are there any toxins to watch out for?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 28, 2011, 16:26:54
are starfish considerd ''corals''
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: HUNGER on November 28, 2011, 16:27:43
no starfish are not corals
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: slandis3 on November 28, 2011, 16:28:27
are there any toxins to watch out for?

Yes, some zoa's and poloys (not sure the correct spelling sorry) have I think its called polo toxin that can be bad if it gets into an open wound. If I frag anything soft (zoas leathers ect) I always wear gloves and use eye protection.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: slandis3 on November 28, 2011, 16:29:27
are starfish considerd ''corals''

they are considered inverts I believe.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: slandis3 on November 28, 2011, 16:30:39

Your a bad bad man mike  :hysterical:

Just trying to keep it fun and fresh.  lol
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 28, 2011, 16:33:14
i think starfish might be able to frag, do they also move the direction of thier longest limb?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Ashlar on November 28, 2011, 16:51:45
No, echinoderms ('spiny-skin') encompass starfish, urchins, brittle stars, and sea cucumbers (and at least one more I'm forgetting at the moment.)

There is no coral in the echinodermata phylum.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 28, 2011, 17:02:27
I have a starfish in my tank it seems to move the direction of its longest limb is this true for all starfish?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Ashlar on November 28, 2011, 17:07:22
Not as a rule, no. They all have chemoreceptors that will orient the legs toward food, and some have photoreceptors- some will move away from strong light. If food happens to be closest to a smaller leg, they'll move in that direction, regardless of leg placement.
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Pencilfish on November 28, 2011, 17:12:10
can starfish cach and eat fish?
Title: Re: frag tank
Post by: Ashlar on November 28, 2011, 17:20:52
Some can, yes. The one most often blamed for catching and eating fish is the green brittle star- Ophiarachna incrassata.

Other stars will eat corals or other invertebrates.