Coral Only Tank Questions

[Str8linespeed]

We will be starting up our 2nd tank, 40b with 20gal sump in the next couple months. The reason we are setting it up is because some of our corals in our main tank need to be fragged, and I cringe when I have to toss them. I guess its more or less a frag style tank to start with.

My current tank, has softies, LPS, SPS and fish, I would say a medium bio load. The new tank will be only corals to start with, eventually after its well established we would like a Mandarin. So the bio load I imagine will be very light. This is where Im stumped at, and here are my questions..

-Will I need to run my skimmer?
-Will I need a CUC, if so what snails, crabs?? As there will not be extra food, poop, etc... I dont want them to die from starvation.
-What else will I need to know about, just a coral tank?

 

[Uncle99]

Corals still respirate so I would skim, DOC can also get in your water through gas exchange, the skimmer will help oxygenate the water.
Snails sure, but for me, I never keep crabs, many grow up to be problems....

 

[SRQreef3r]

I would put snails in it, there will be algae and other stuff for them to eat

 

[nereefpat]

I see no reason to use a skimmer.

A very limited number of snails would be fine.

I would put a fish or two in there. Corals need nitrogen and phosphorus from fish food and waste. I ran my tank fishless for a couple months recently, and my LPS, hated it. Specifically duncans, candycanes, and favia.

 

[billdogg]

If you plan on feeding the corals with anything other than light, a skimmer is a good idea, although on a tank that size regular water changes will probably be enough. depending on your choice of substrate, snails can't hurt a thing. And +1 for a fish or two not only for the nitrogen and phosphorus they will add, but also just to have something to look at that actually moves. I tossed a handful of green chromis in my FT for that very reason.

 

[Str8linespeed]

Great responses, thank you. I didnt really think about the fish providing nutrients, but it makes sense. I do plan on feeding the corals, coral food (reef-roids, etc..)

I like my cleaner shrimp in my main tank, what do you think of some sort of shrimp? Cleaner, Fire, other??

 

[Uncle99]

I like shrimps, never had a problem

 

[MondoBongo]

are you definitely set on having separate systems?

there are some benefits to not having all your eggs in one basket, so to speak, but it's also nice if you can share a sump and use the same skimmer/heater setup that your display is on.

if not, my personal preference is to always run a skimmer. i like it for oxygenation and for the obvious purpose of getting gunk out.

as far as clean up crew, i'd happily do shrimp and snails. should be more than enough to keep them fed. since it's a smaller tank, might even be cool to get some sexy shrimp, or something else small that would otherwise be lost in a larger tank.

 

[Str8linespeed]

are you definitely set on having separate systems?

there are some benefits to not having all your eggs in one basket, so to speak, but it's also nice if you can share a sump and use the same skimmer/heater setup that your display is on.

if not, my personal preference is to always run a skimmer. i like it for oxygenation and for the obvious purpose of getting gunk out.

as far as clean up crew, i'd happily do shrimp and snails. should be more than enough to keep them fed. since it's a smaller tank, might even be cool to get some sexy shrimp, or something else small that would otherwise be lost in a larger tank.

Great question, the answer is yes to separate systems. Reason being. My main DT is a Red Sea, all in one. Im only using the built in sump and thats only 10gal. Not to mention, space. This 2nd tank I'm setting up will have to be located down stairs. Just no more room left in the main living room.

Thanks for the suggestions!