So why have a frag tank?

Hal

Hal

New member
I see lots of people have frag tanks. My question is why? Is it trading stock for other reefers? Can you make enough money to justify the cost of lighting and replacement bulbs ($65 per year for a MH plus startup ballast and reflector costs). Do you have it plumbed into your main system, thereby negating the need for separate filtration, or is it separate so you can also use it as a QT for new corals, or is it separate for some other reason?
 
a frag tank is just to give new frags and small corals the proper conditions for growth before either placeing them into the display tank, or tradeing/selling them
 
For many people a frag tank is just an excuse for another tank which eventually becomes a display tank on it's own. There are people who farm out corals with them, but I think the number is small.

The transition starts when you first add "that one fish" to clean up algae... then another to pick on those rampant pods... then one day you're adding a frogfish...
 
Hal said:
Can you make enough money to justify the cost of lighting and replacement bulbs ($65 per year for a MH plus startup ballast and reflector costs)
Click to expand...

I have 7 frags (plus several more not fragged from my main corals) on my little make shift frag rack in my main display. they arent particularly high demand (ora roscoe's blue, a few ora brett caps, ora turquoise, pink stylo, no name red cap, no name pink cap) but they are sized and nice enough to get at minimum $10 each ($70) and I could easily frag all the main corals again (some several times over) without any noticeable appearance changes to the main colonies plus a few more sps and zoanthid that havent been fragged. I'd say another $100 minimum at budget pricing is easily there to be had over the $70. Mind you other than the pink stylo and good side caps I dont have any large colonies nor are they grown under high lighting, nor do I want to make any money, nor is my tank large (30g). I'd say on main displays greater than mine you could easily pay for the frag tank and the lighting before you get the frag tank and easily have it pay for itself and beyond while in operation but I dont think anybody...and I mean anybody actually hooks one up to their display to make lots of money. most do it to put back whatevers made back in their tank.
 
Hal said:
I see lots of people have frag tanks. My question is why? Is it trading stock for other reefers? Can you make enough money to justify the cost of lighting and replacement bulbs ($65 per year for a MH plus startup ballast and reflector costs). Do you have it plumbed into your main system, thereby negating the need for separate filtration, or is it separate so you can also use it as a QT for new corals, or is it separate for some other reason?
Click to expand...

I have a frag tank plumbed into my main system to grow out frags for trading, and to put frags into the tank after acclimation until I decide where to put them in the tank.

I also have a few things in it from my old tank that will not be compatible with the fish I want to keep in my new tank, blastos, for example, which angels will likely snack upon, but I still love and want to keep.
 
I think that many people have frag tanks to satisfy one of the other aspects of this hobby...

The social one...

Having an easy place to keep and grow frags for trading at local clubs and whatnot usually makes that person more active in the local social reefing scene. This has my vote for the base reason why people have frag tanks...
 
Because when your tank matures you will need to trim pieces so they don't touch or just balance out the look if you want. And you can wind up with a lot of frags. And what do you do with them if you have no frag tank? You can't always find people to take or buy them. I don't have 1 now, but I will next time I set up a tank for sure.
 
I use my frag tank as a test tank for new fish. My frag is a 46 bow. Large enough to house a fish for a week or so and see it's temperament. It is amazing to hear all the different stories about the personalities of fish. Some that are reef safe, turn out to be terrors, and vice versa.
 
I have 2 ft's plumbed in. One has turned into a mini display. I like having the extra volume.

I've found the best uses for em so far have been for the project corals. The browners I pick up and try to color up without having to put them into the display. On 2 seperate occasions I've held fish and coral for friends that were moving or were having problems.

Obviously having room to grow frags for trading/selling is great but to me being able to help out a few friends have made them worth the hassle.
 
Frag tanks are also a great way to get a coral acclimated and growing in your system before putting it into the display.
 
I thought of another one... (after listening to my significant other talk about how I 'bent' the rules and added a 75 gallon tank underneath my DT without adding a second 'aquarium' to the house)

It allows us to expand and grow our systems with another tank while living within the 'rules' of our loved ones!!!! :love1:
 
Like said above. If you cut a lot of frags there's no room for them. A frag rack in a main tank is an eyesore to me. Makes the tank junky.
 
I actually use mine as an emergency backup system - if something would happen I could transfer stuff quickly into it...
 
As may have said, extra volume, place to put trimmings that are starting to fight in the DT, reverse lighting to help with PH swings.
 
Frag tank lol. Just to cut down the larger corals from harming others in the area. :)
I started with a frag setup for, UMI BLUE xenia as well with Blue bali xenai selling to a LFS.
I guess its a way to get money back. For the most part I'm doing trades. Times are harsh so trades is really a friendly way to go.
 
I like to give the excuse to the wife as a frag tank. It's the only way I can pass off a second tank with her. LOL.
 
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