Frag Tank Build!

[Jarob]

Alright so I've got my final two choices down for the Frag Tank I will be setting up, and would like to know which you would choose and why!

Option 1:

Custom GlassCages 36"x8"x8" rimless tank with a 36" 2x39w T5 HO fixture (possibly a 4x39w fixture, not sure yet, would that be overkill?)

OR

Option 2:

GlassCages 18"x18"x8" Coral Tank with a 175w 10k HQI MH / 2 x 18w Actinic fixture.


Each tank is going to be hooked up to a fuge and will have 2 pumps on timers. The tanks lighting cycle will be a 6 on 6 off style to get two light cycles per day. The main corals I will keep are rare Zoanthids and Ricordeas, but if I come by some rare SPS or Acans I might have a few of those as well.

Let me know what you think as the order will be placed tomorrow!

[jmc74]

first, why 2 cycles of light?


also the 18"x18"x8" IMO is better, but I would choose a 14k bulb. and if you have the Odyssea fixture (175w HQI) is not a real 175w is actually a 150w HQI, so you can replace the bulb w/ good quality bulb like Hamilton 14k blue. the odyssea actinics are a JOKE! I know I have them... :P

if you have a 175w SE and not a fake 175w HQI, then research for the best color/PAR bulb, I believe Ushio make a real good 175w SE 14k, you will get good grow and color if you choose a good 14k bulb vs 10k will only give you grow and brown colors.

[Jarob]

There has been research done, and if you search these forums, that coral gets all it can from the first 6 hours of light, any more is just excess, and having 6 on 6 off and so on that they can get more out of a day than just a normal cycle. and yes I got the odyssea POS... its free so why not give it a try...

[jmc74]

ok, I was just reading about the 6on 6 off ting, I will try it...

BTW, change the MH bulb for a 14k, you will tank me, even if it is an EBAY special, just search for the best seller, because the 10k 175w sux... you will get not a frag tank, but a JUNGLE of algae

[islandcreation]

Originally posted by Jarob
Alright so I've got my final two choices down for the Frag Tank I will be setting up, and would like to know which you would choose and why!

Option 1:

Custom GlassCages 36"x8"x8" rimless tank with a 36" 2x39w T5 HO fixture (possibly a 4x39w fixture, not sure yet, would that be overkill?)

OR

Option 2:

GlassCages 18"x18"x8" Coral Tank with a 175w 10k HQI MH / 2 x 18w Actinic fixture.


Each tank is going to be hooked up to a fuge and will have 2 pumps on timers. The tanks lighting cycle will be a 6 on 6 off style to get two light cycles per day. The main corals I will keep are rare Zoanthids and Ricordeas, but if I come by some rare SPS or Acans I might have a few of those as well.

Let me know what you think as the order will be placed tomorrow!

I think you should go with option one. More surface area for frags, isn't that the whole reason why you want a frag tank? Plus, for lighting 4x39w T5's are more than GREAT as long as you go with top of the line. In the long run you'll be saving money. Bulbs last for 16-24 months and less electricity consumption! Wish I would have done that before getting two 400w and another two 250w halides. Plus, your dealing with a shallow tank so less penatration for the light.

[Jarob]

Yea those were some good reasons.. Im also leaning towards option one. Im going to place the order tomorrow for everything.

[islandcreation]

Just know with T5's that you DO have to get the best quality. Reflectors, bulbs, ballast inorder to get the benefits of a T5. Good luck and look forward to seeing a setup.

[Jarob]

Alright well I actually am going with option one only slightly modified and with the 4 bulb fixture.

The tank will be 36"x10"x8" and will have a center glass overflow. The overflow will drain directly into a mag 9.5pump which will be directed towards the sqwd then towards both upper corners for flow. The overflow itself will have a foam mesh at the bottom and will be lightly filled with cheato. I drew up the tank on sketch pad, my first time, to give you an idea what it would look like.








The tank will be mounted on the wall and will have a cover for the bottom plumbing.

The white line in the middle of the tank is where the eggcrate will be, and underneath that is 3 inches of space for live rock rubble. I was also considering going with a 2" sandbed of some fine white sand instead of the eggcrate, i could stick the plugs in the sand. What do you think?

Ordering today

[fatrip]

idk about the sqwd the one i had used and a few friends have use they stoped working between 2 and 6 months so i would watch for flow not changing and only coming out of one side. sand is good but then you would want some kind of little clean up crew in there. but sand is also good if a frag falls off the plug it wil usualy attach to the sand and not just blow around the tank.