Frag tank under main tank

[aaronlp]

Alright ive been wanting to make a frag tank under my 37 gallon jusr beacuse i have no moer room with all the corals i have been adding to my tank. I was wondering if having a frag tank that connects to the main tank would be a good idea; i just need to find a tank that will fit under the stand.

Questions
Can i run lights when main light are off
Can i have fish in the frag tank along with inverts
Dosing?!?!?!?!
Bare bottom or substrate

I also need to know if keeping it under the tank would cause any problems and would the corals be fine since it would be added to the main system?

Thanks! :fun2:

 

[jacksonpt]

A few initial thoughts...

Can i run lights when main light are off

Yes, this is actually good for ph stability

Can i have fish in the frag tank along with inverts

You can, but at what point does it stop becoming a frag tank and turn into another reef tank? If you go through all that trouble, are you going to want the tank closed off inside your stand?

Dosing?!?!?!?!

It'll depend on how many frags you have in the frag tank, and how much/quickly they deplete nutrients. I wouldn't think dosing would change much, just go up a bit perhaps.

Bare bottom or substrate

You're call. I'd go BB for a frag tank, but if you're talking about fish and inverts, then a thin substrate might be good.

I also need to know if keeping it under the tank would cause any problems and would the corals be fine since it would be added to the main system?

Just space/heat issues really, as you'll also need to light the tank. Maybe moisture depending on your stand. Corals that go from the frag tank to the display wouldn't need to be acclimated - both tanks will be plumbed into the same system, so they'll be sharing water with each other. Only down side is that there is no QT ability with new frags.

 

[Jacwil]

It's possible but realize if you have the same 37g I do, 30x12, you will have a tricky time fitting a frag tank in-stand.

 

[aaronlp]

It's possible but realize if you have the same 37g I do, 30x12, you will have a tricky time fitting a frag tank in-stand.

haha i know the stand is like impossible to work with! lol

 

[Jacwil]

Ya it's a small footprint.

I honestly think it would be a major PITA to squish all of that under your 37. Is it possibe to just setup a frag tank in another area? Or maybe to get a larger DT...something that would accommodate a decent sized sump, that could have an area for frags?

 

[pascal32]

connected frag tank is fantastic. As far as BB versus everything else - I've tried egg crate, black and white, for me the sand has been fantastic. no issues and I can set flat plugs or pushed stemmed ones in. Lighting is as said - it will help stabilize PH.