new setup

[fkdenton]

I have setup a small frag/growout tank. Here is a list and then I have some question.

20 gallon long
BakPak2 skimmer
coralife aqualights 30 inch 2x65 watt 1 10k 1 actinic
20lbs agra-live sand
about 5 lbs live rock so far all from well established systems. some with zoos and mushrooms.
1 hermit crab

Now I will be adding a maxijet 1200 for more flow and more Live Rock. How long untill I can put frags in. I plan on putting
mushrooms
zoas
kenya tree
gsp and psp
asst leathers
xenia
pink anthelia.

The anthelia and xenia is going wild in the 46 so I will be adding quite a bit of it. I am planing on making small frags on rubble of all this and grow it out a little.

Any ideas or suggestions to make it better? Any ideas on other fast growing softies that would do good in there? Suggestions on making them grow faster? I am not doing this to sell frags I am doing this because I want the softies but I only want lps and sps in the 46. I also enjoy watching the frags grow. A benifit will be to give them to people just getting in like so many of you gave stuff to me.

Let me know any ideas.
Thanks
Floyd

 

[akrimmel]

i am going in the same directio as you but why do you want substrate in the frag tank, and do you find it nec to use a skimmer with no bioload as i am considering taking mine out of the system?

 

[drgabe]

If the rock is coming from an established tank, you shouldn't experience a cycle of any type. I would think that you can add your frags near immediately.

You could certainly go without a skimmer (many people have successful tanks without one) as long as you have *enough* live rock. I guess keeping tabs on your perameters will be key to know what is enough.

 

[fkdenton]

I fought long and hard to avoid the sand, my wife won. I wanted to add the skimmer in case I need to put something in there. I have two bangiis and if they are both males one will have to live there.

 

[akrimmel]

just prove to her that is was a bad idea with out to much damage to the frag tank later on.

 

[fkdenton]

She says it wont look right without sand. Oh well it wont hurt being in there.

 

[rams]

sand is good for reflecting light up at corals very beneficial

pics?

 

[akrimmel]

i am a big fan of sandbeds myself i am even saving the one that is in my old display which is turning into the frag tank and slowly putting it into the new 75 and 30gal sump. but i just dont see how having a sandbed in the frag/qt tank will be good in the long run myself!!

 

[fkdenton]

Have not taken pics yet. Not untill I get it all ready. How about suggestions for fast growing easy stuff other than what I listed.

 

[levon15]

gsp and psp
asst leathers
xenia
pink anthelia.

I am betting these fill a 20gal pretty fast

 

[fkdenton]

I am not planning on letting them get to big, I will be fragging whenever possible.

 

[akrimmel]

fkdenton

how far are you from edwardsville? if not far we will have to setup some corals to trade as i am always looking for zoos and rics if you have any?

 

[fkdenton]

About a hour but for were I live thats close. If I want anything saltwater I have to drive to St Louis. I have some zoos I am working on getting to fragging size but I still have a while yet. No rics yet but planning on getting some.

 

[akrimmel]

can you let me know when you are ready to trade/sell whatever so we can set up a meet.

 

[fkdenton]

I will let you know.

 

[Kathy55g]

Feeding your corals will help them grow. Live phytoplankton is a good thing for softies. (rotifers are good for hard corals, sps)

During the power outage, I kept mine alive with live phyto and a battery operated air pump. Borneman says feeding them is a good thing to do as they do not grow well or fast on light alone.

 

[fkdenton]

Were do I get that at?

 

[akrimmel]

most often at a LFS if you have to come into st.louis your chances are better at finding DT'S LIVE PHYTOPLANKTON.