Frag tank set up

Mike de Leon · 12/15/2017, 05:49 PM

Hello fellow reefers!

Been thinking about setting up a tank. Struggling to decide if a totally separate tank will be the way to go. Hooking up to main display just isn't an option.
I have room in the bottom to go with a larger sump and have a separate compartment for frags. The only issue I think is that when the sump is lit, I will have algae growing all over.

Thoughts?

Mike de Leon · 12/16/2017, 04:35 PM

Bump!

drawman · 12/16/2017, 09:34 PM

Yeah it's a tough call. I have two tanks (in two separate locations) and you need the ambition and passion to be able to take care of both to a high standard. That said, if you ever have a problem with your display it is nice to have backups.

jda · 12/18/2017, 04:15 AM

Two tanks on one system is better than nothing, but not as good as two isolated systems.

Even though they can be a lot of work, you might be really happy someday if you get a pest or one of your tank fails. I keep backups of best corals in the frag tank at all times as a just-in-case type of thing.

The only thing that I really recommend is that you use the same lights on both.

tdb320reef · 12/20/2017, 10:04 PM

I have a 320 Gallon Display and 500 gallon prop system and at times wished they were together as the 320 has high nutrients and the 500G I have to dose to keep up nutrients. I also had to buy 2 alk checkers, skimmers, rodi and have to test everything twice. If you can do it all together that is the way to go for efficiency.

12/15/2017, 05:49 PM	#1
Mike de Leon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ont. Canada Posts: 2,308	Frag tank set up Hello fellow reefers! Been thinking about setting up a tank. Struggling to decide if a totally separate tank will be the way to go. Hooking up to main display just isn't an option. I have room in the bottom to go with a larger sump and have a separate compartment for frags. The only issue I think is that when the sump is lit, I will have algae growing all over. Thoughts? __________________ Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.. Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon, 3 G4 Radions

12/16/2017, 04:35 PM	#2
Mike de Leon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Ont. Canada Posts: 2,308	Bump! __________________ Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.. Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon, 3 G4 Radions

12/16/2017, 09:34 PM	#3
drawman Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mankato, MN Posts: 864	Yeah it's a tough call. I have two tanks (in two separate locations) and you need the ambition and passion to be able to take care of both to a high standard. That said, if you ever have a problem with your display it is nice to have backups. __________________ Tim Current tanks: 30 gallon rimless, G2 radion, Vertex 130, MP10w 60 gallon rimless, G3 radion, Vertex 130, MP40QD

12/18/2017, 04:15 AM	#4
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	Two tanks on one system is better than nothing, but not as good as two isolated systems. Even though they can be a lot of work, you might be really happy someday if you get a pest or one of your tank fails. I keep backups of best corals in the frag tank at all times as a just-in-case type of thing. The only thing that I really recommend is that you use the same lights on both.

12/20/2017, 10:04 PM	#5
tdb320reef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Chesterfield, MI Posts: 1,209	I have a 320 Gallon Display and 500 gallon prop system and at times wished they were together as the 320 has high nutrients and the 500G I have to dose to keep up nutrients. I also had to buy 2 alk checkers, skimmers, rodi and have to test everything twice. If you can do it all together that is the way to go for efficiency.