frag stationing in sump

[Gravesj1s]

Anyone thought about this or done it?Any ideas ,pros ,cons ,maybe pic?

Im thinking with a fuge light already in place,adding a panorama strip and capitalizing on the mechanicals already in place (flow,heat /cooling fan).

Had to ask as I dont see many people doing it and thought theres probably a reason for it.

 

[Jacwil]

I think it's fairly common..hopefully DiverDick or Conesus Kid can chime in as they are 2 local members here that do this.

 

[jfl14609]

I have a small area in my sump for frags I put a small led fixture over it to keep heat down

 

[diverdick]

I did play with it for about 6 months and decided to remove it. I used a MH over the 100 gallon sump and for the most part, it was ok. I decided on other options to be sure the corals had ideal treatment.

Good Luck

 

[oneradtek202]

alot of people will have a feed coming out of sump and have it go into a separate frag tank, and drain that back into the sump. ive seen that way, and that is the way id do it if i was going to have a frag tank

 

[Jacwil]

Yea I think his whole point is to have it all self-contained, nice and neat in his existing sump.

 

[Eastamherstbias]

I have it coming out of the sump into a 40BR and also into a 20L mangrove. I like it that way, I am trying not to clutter the sump.

 

[Jacwil]

Graves, what size sump is it? I'm assuming it's a big stock tank?

Guys he's wanting to keep it in-sump There are a million people that daisy-chain their systems together..just not what he's after.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Just want to say I appreaciate any and all of the responses.Pics as well.

My obstacles ,mainly ,are kids.3 daughters 7,10, 14 with lots of friends that are over constantly.Feel uneasy about having a shallow fragtank in the open.
Thought about the basement but from prior experiences its not really do-able.Woodshop sawdust,and some rust issues.

Idealy ,Id love to have a more pracitcal location than my sump, setup in way that many of you have mentioned but, I gota use what I've got for now.

~Jacwll,its just a 20 gal under tank sump.I got to run to soccer practice right now ,but Ill get a pic when I get back.

Thanks guys-Steve

 

[Jacwil]

Just got back from coaching soccer myself!!!

Unfortunately I have a feeling you will struggle fitting anything but the smallest frag rack in a 20g sump, but we'll see what you have in there.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Ok first pic is an old one so dont pay any mind to the K-reactor.Pic gives an idea of the inner dimension, middle section I'd like to use.

pic of me mostly making a mess but Its the general Idea of what I was thinking of doing,through some frags on it to gauge size somewhat.

Mess still in progress ,idle mode for the moment.Egg crate in there was just a quick cut and ziptie deal.

 

[pascal32]

Like the idea. You will get more gunk growing in the skimmer from it. If you decide to go this way make sure to keep good ventilation and consider going to something other than egg crate, namely acrylic.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Eastamherstbias,
Reading through your thread,I just noticed you did some par measurements.If I end up using the sump for a frag section, you have any rec. on led ?

As it stands I just have 1 exco panorama 15" strip. 4.5" of air to water surface.Water surface to frag rack 3.5 inches.I plan to add more light ,like to see/know my options first .Anybody else have a preference ?

 

[Gravesj1s]

Pascal,yeah I forgot all about that.Pretty sure I got some acrylic around I can drill holes for plugs,good idea.The skimmer ,thats another thing I didnt think about,it does get some corraline growing inside of it.Hmmm.Definately dont want to add to the labor list,
Still more or less just talking outloud and not really set on doing it.

Wondering if anyone sees a problem with ditching the chateo all together?The stuff really never grew for me anyway.Maybe just keep liverock in the sump beneath the frag rack?

 

[Johnny C]

For a small amount of time, I used a 16.5'' MH over the refugium section of my sump. Corals did well, and the reverse photoperiod (IME) benefitted the system as a whole. However, in a smaller sump like yours, space will be very limited.

Guys he's wanting to keep it in-sump There are a million people that daisy-chain their systems together..just not what he's after.

No worries... the more info, the better. That's what this forum is all about after all!

 

[Jacwil]

That's not the information that was being sought after is my only point Johnny...no offense Brandon or Eastamherst!

:beer:

 

[Eastamherstbias]

Graves- I have good par numbers and growth with both the par38's and the evolution 120w 20k. But the par38's will RUST. I don't know how you can build something that is over a saltwater tank and not put a coating on it to make it anti-corrosive. Evolution shows no rust. I would buy the evolution again or maybe a AI nano. They are not hot to the touch.

 

[Gravesj1s]

Eastam-thanks for the headsup on the rust issue.Pics are always a plus and useful.

After re-reading all the replys,I think most people probably wouldn't do it insump.Took a day to mull it over and I decided to just go with a shallow frag tank outside the sump plumbed to display tank. Hopefully, I can find a slick way to hide the piping,though that will be a challenge all by its self.

Thanks for all the response and pics fella's A.Lot of useful information-Steve