Lynn's frag tank experiment

[BigAl07]

As mentioned it tends to be a good "anchor point" for nuisance algae. I've tested both white and painted and both seem to attract film algae like a magnet.

[JoJo]

thanks buddy

[Raoul5Duke]

If you have time I would be interested in seeing some pics of a simple set up like this. I have a 10 gal, my old PC lights and a skilter (don't laugh!) that I have considered using for a simple softie (maybe LPS) frag tank, but thinking is as far as I have gotten. Thanks.

[lcstorc]

As always, mr logic (hubby) stepped in and the project is on hold for a week or so. I burned my hand last week and the blisters are still healing so he doesn't want me in the tank and defintely not in the fuge. I have been good so far keeping the hand out of the tank (because I did it once and it hurt) but I wasn't thinking about needing both hands to set up the frag tank.
I hate when he is right.
Someday this project will get done. I swear. It seems like I have been working on it forever but we finally built the stand, and cleaned the tank and have the skimmer and power heads in the tank. The bulb for the light will be here today so hopefully I can get him to do it for me this weekend or the hand should be better in a week or so.
Grrr

[BigAl07]

KUDOS to Mr Logic! You don't want any open wounds in there at all.

No need to rush anything. Get it right and don't get sick over it. You'd have a terrible time enjoying your frag tank with a nasty infection going on!

Tell Frank HOWDY from NC

[lcstorc]

I guess we make a good match. He is also reminding me we need to replace a part on the light brace since "electricity and salt water do not mix"
All of these silly rules. Why can't I just do what I want?

[Dragonne]

I know i's a little different than you are setting up, but I just did a frag tank myself a few weeks ago. The same as you I have a TON of Capnella frags that I needed to make it for. The main differences are that I went with a bed of red sea pellets to stabilize the frags in instead of plexi or whatever, I am using LR rubble instead of plugs for bases, and I have mine cycling through my primary sump/fuge from the rest of my tanks (increased water volume, one stop maintenance).

Old pic:


Pic today (one month later):


It's grown in a little and become a SERIOUS pod breeder as well.

PS: I've never been a big fan of reef plugs of any kind. I don't buy corals on them, only rock. Why? It's completely unnatural looking in the DT to have this round plug sitting there as a base for a coral. It seems to me that the people who like plugs the most are fraggers (because they are easy).

[lcstorc]

I too like rubble instead of plugs when possible. Since right now I have only softies to frag, I will likely allow them to attach to rubble and the attach the rubble to the plug for ease of maintenance. When the frag finds a home it is easy enough to break the rubble off of the plug.
That is the theory anyway. We'll see how the reality works.
Thanks for pics of your setup. It is always nice to share ideas.

[BigAl07]

I like rubble but something I REALLY like are the frag rocks from "Oceans Wonders".


Propagation Supplies

[lcstorc]

Well, at least I can report a small amount of progress today. I just got my shipment from Marine Depot which included the bulb for the frag tank.
Piece by piece it will happen some day. I am hoping I can bribe the girls into setting it up for me this weekend while I direct what they do. Then my hands would be out of the tank but it would still progress.
What are teenagers for anyway? I'll just bribe them with some shopping.

[BigAl07]

SWEET! Glad you've got SOME progress

Yeah either bribe em or blackmail em! Either way nets same results

[lcstorc]

They are too good to blackmail. Hubby thinks one of their friends is coming over so my evil plan may be foiled. We'll see. I just have to convince one of them that it is fun and I have it made.

[Dragonne]

I'll set it up for you... for the mere cost of a round trip ticket to Florida and a place to stay while I enjoy the weather.

Uhhh, I meant while I set up the tank.

[lcstorc]

You'll have to pay for the ticket but we have been known to let people stay here and pay with water change and glass scraping for payment.
Well, I found the manufacturer of the light and was able to order a new mounting. This is very good since Frank has been unable to come up with a way to secure it without the original piece. I guess that is what I get from buying used from someone I don't know. It's kind of depressing since it is the first time I have done that and not only did I have to wait several months but the light was broken when they sold it.
Anyway back to the cheerfullness. The part has been ordered so it should be on it's way. Meanwhile tomorrow is our anniversary and one of the things we are going to do is put the tank together. I have a spare VHO light from the 20g that I can use while waiting for the mounting. At least in the beginning it is going to be softies anyway so that should be fine. I bought a HOB filter for the tank this weekend. Short term at least I am going with the standard PVC and eggcrage model since I have it lying around the house.
Hopefully I will have some pics that I can post on Tuesday. I have a number of frags that are ready to go straight into the tank so I can't wait to get it running.

[lcstorc]

Finally, we have water.
The tank is on the stand and in place. An Aqua C Remora skimmer and HOB filter for some movement and filtration. I also have an MJ1200 just for some flow. I took 3 nice sized rocks out of the fuge and put them in the tank as well. I will probably put a few frags in this afternoon with just a bag of carbon since I don't have the reactor yet and many of my frags are leathers but at least this first batch will be frags that have already fragged themself and are attached to rubble. I'm just moving them to a new home.
Still no light because I am waiting for the brace but the tank is next to a window that gets good afternoon sun and I have an old light from my 20g I am going to drag out this afternoon and see if it fits.
I'll let it run a few hours and then start testing and moving the existing frags.