Zoanthid propagation system

[dafunk5446]

Hello I love zoanthids....way to much. I want to really start growing alot of them. My plan is to use 6 10 gallon tanks or 4 20 gallon longs, and a 55 gallon sump/fuge/more zoa room. I will make a stand so they can all be stack over top of each other. I will then drill holes for overflows in all the tanks. Then have either 2 or 3 vho bulbs over each shelf. Then use a closed loop kinda manifold for the return. On the zoa side of the 55 I will use a spray bar, and a single pvc return to the skimmer/ heater side. I will also have a divider in all the zoa tanks, just to keep them somewhat separated. I also would be using live rock rubble for the zoa's to grow onto. Maybe 2-4 morphs per tank. Let me know if you think it will work.

 

[Triggerjay]

looks like a winner to me!

Jason

 

[dafunk5446]

Thanks man I am thinking it will work alright as well. I hope more people chip in thier opinions.

 

[Triggerjay]

If you want independent cubes for the zoas, I have seen some of the fish tank wall display units like they have at wal-mart on ebay before.. That would be sweet for zoas..

Jason

 

[dafunk5446]

how big are they? that might work well. If they wouldnt work I am sure I will be able to keep them under control by moving them around so they dont grow into each other.

 

[Triggerjay]

they are pretty big. I think the "cubes" are about the size of a 20g..There is usually 8 or so of them.

Jason

 

[dafunk5446]

do you know how much they cost???

 

[Triggerjay]

uhmm.. no... lol..Sorry! I will see if I can search ya out one tomorrow..

Jason

 

[GeeWizzItsMe]

Glasscages also sells stacking ones like that!

 

[dafunk5446]

Thanks geewizz, I will have to check out those other ones. What do you guys think of the overall plan though, any ideas to make it work better?

 

[BigAl07]

I have seen those "walmart" systems for sale and they were like $10k but for a LOT of tanks and all the equipment.

Allen

 

[kyle1284]

would u ever think about t5s? less energy used and longer life outta the bulbs.... personally i have had more zoa groth outta t5's than PC's

 

[dafunk5446]

I am kinda thinking about t-5s, but I have no experience with them. I was just happy with vho's on my other tanks, and the zoas seemed to love them. I was also thinking about the reflectors costing a lot more them one for vho's. If I were going to get t-5s, how many would you suggest?

 

[nasek718]

I'm pretty sure the systems at Wal-Mart and PetCo etc. are called Mars Systems. These things are very expensive.

 

[dafunk5446]

yeah not wanting to spend thousands, and if you ask me those systems arent worth the time. You could build a much better system for a lot less! This whole system will be home made. Diy every thing.

 

[tjk72]

You may consider how tall the system would end up being. If too tall to reach into the top tanks you'll have to use a step ladder. If that's no big deal than go for it. I just bought a Nova extreme T5 light system. Still in process of tinkering.

 

[dafunk5446]

Yeah I am planning on it being fairly tall. Top tanks a little above eye level. My buddy is a welder so I just have to get the steel and he will weld up the stand for me to whatever demensions I need.

 

[kyle1284]

over 10 or 20 gallon tanks?

 

[dafunk5446]

I am thinking I am going to use 10 gallons that why the stand wouldnt have to be any bigger then a 55 gallon tank. But if I did use 20 gallons, they would be longs not the talls, so depth would be the same using either tank. Another reason I think I am going to use 10's is cost. I can get three 10's for the cost of one 20 long. Yet another question for everybody, got any ideas what kind of pump I should use? I am guessing the total gallons of the system to be around 80-90 ish with the tens, or 100-110 with 20's. As for head height it will be around 7-7.5 feet.

 

[blue_eyes53813]

Sounds like a great idea.. Will you be sharing your new babies with your RS friends ?? :snshne: