Will be setting up frag system in the near future, need opinions

[Ludwigia73]

I'm looking at a 300 gallon stock tank, 69" long by 62" across by 25" deep. It'll have a 2" sandbed, wall off about a 16" section for skimmer, live rock, chaeto, have a few fish for cleanup like kole tang, sixline wrasse, maybe a sailfin.

Looking at lighting, Seems 2 reef radiance lights (around $460 for 2 new), would be the ticket, or do you think I should do 3?

Skimmer wise, it'll be a medium to light load, so looking at a bubble magus curve 5 for $200.



Questions:

Where can I buy black eggcrate locally, large pieces?

Would 2 of those lights be enough for good growth, or should I do 3? (1 will be coming with me to frag swaps.)

Lastly, are the reef radiance really good for display as well, as in helping to sell corals, need it to really show off the colors. I'm not opposed to running 2 reef radiance, and 1 display type light in between them.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated, and feel free to offer any advice you might have. Been wanting to do this a long time, and it seems the project is right around the corner, early next month possibly.

 

[rage1199]

I have 3 in my 6' 150 and I think I need 1 more if it was not for the fact that I can not run these lights past 60% so I don't get a third. 60% day is pushing the limit had tons of coral turning white until I lowered my lights down from peak 75% to peak 60% 8'' from water line.

 

[knukles55]

Egg crate large pieces home depot or Lowes

 

[Alex1524]

Just some 2 cents, I used my 60 rimless as a barebottom frag tank and created a frag rack out of egg crate. In my experience my eggcrate ended up turning completely green and started growing hair algae all over it over time. I've read eggcrate releases phosphates after being in the water for quite some time. Just giving you the heads up to do some research and maybe get a different kind of material. Maybe the black eggcrate is better. I used the white one from Home Depot.

 

[Ludwigia73]

I definitely want the black eggcrate, makes the colors pop a little more, plus I just LOVE how the white eggcrate is bright purple, then someone tells you it's not photoshopped or blue-light blasted.

 

[mrx66699]

Chris just call me I can help you with the frag tank

 

[AquamanE]

Chris- all on here know how i feel about "blue lights" for regular DT. Frag swaps sure, create the fake look for your customers, but to truely grow?....HELLO... MH :deadhorse1:

Regarding eggcrate in frag tank, ive used both black and white. They will both grow nuisance algae, black slower than white. I started running clear acrylic when i then decided to call a frag tank quits.

I know ill be debated because of my response, but i invite the debate. :wave:

 

[Ludwigia73]

I wouldn't debate you much on what you said... I agree with the blue lighting, but proper blue lights like ati t5 ho bulbs like the superblue are actually usable spectrum bulbs rather than just actinic. I'll be running LED's so not worried about t5's