Stolireef
Active member
Over the past few months, I've been giving some serious thought to setting up a frag tank. Unfortunately, due to the placement of my display, the frag tank cannot be linked in any way (other than perhaps to my Apex) to the display.
The goal here is to set up a very low maintenance 40 gallon breeder. The tank's only purpose will be to grow out frags since I don't love the look of the frag rack in my display. There will be perhaps one or two fish in the tank for algae control but nothing else other than frags so an extremely light bioload.
Now for the real challenge. I want to bring this setup in at under $400. Here's how I want to set it up.
Tank and Sump: 40 Gallon breeder bare bottom with egg crate frag racks. Siphon overflow (or I may drill for in tank overflow) to a 20 gallon sump with live rock. I need to buy the tanks but it looks like there are plenty of used ones around and pretty cheap (or I can wait for the dollar per gallon sale). Thinking about $75 for the tanks.
Stand: If I can find one cheap, buy it but otherwise, I can build one (I've done it a couple of times now). I can definitely build it for $50.
Water Movement: Modest sized return pump (probably a Sicce). Couple of maxijets in the tank for flow. $75
Light: I have a 400W PFO ballast so all I would need is the wiring harness and a pendant. Used, hopefully $75 or less.
Dosing: Likely set up a gravity fed two part Ca/kH doser. Never built a gravity fed one before but costs should be close to nil.
Filtration: None. With such a low bioload, I don't think I'll need a skimmer. If the need arises, HOB Remora, but I'd really like to avoid this. $75-$100 for the live rock.
Love to hear some criticism and/or suggestions. Thanks.
The goal here is to set up a very low maintenance 40 gallon breeder. The tank's only purpose will be to grow out frags since I don't love the look of the frag rack in my display. There will be perhaps one or two fish in the tank for algae control but nothing else other than frags so an extremely light bioload.
Now for the real challenge. I want to bring this setup in at under $400. Here's how I want to set it up.
Tank and Sump: 40 Gallon breeder bare bottom with egg crate frag racks. Siphon overflow (or I may drill for in tank overflow) to a 20 gallon sump with live rock. I need to buy the tanks but it looks like there are plenty of used ones around and pretty cheap (or I can wait for the dollar per gallon sale). Thinking about $75 for the tanks.
Stand: If I can find one cheap, buy it but otherwise, I can build one (I've done it a couple of times now). I can definitely build it for $50.
Water Movement: Modest sized return pump (probably a Sicce). Couple of maxijets in the tank for flow. $75
Light: I have a 400W PFO ballast so all I would need is the wiring harness and a pendant. Used, hopefully $75 or less.
Dosing: Likely set up a gravity fed two part Ca/kH doser. Never built a gravity fed one before but costs should be close to nil.
Filtration: None. With such a low bioload, I don't think I'll need a skimmer. If the need arises, HOB Remora, but I'd really like to avoid this. $75-$100 for the live rock.
Love to hear some criticism and/or suggestions. Thanks.
