Zoa frag tank

K

kidkaos520

New member
So I am looking into starting a zoa frag tank nothing big and fancy; something shallow so I don't have to be up to my armpits in water when I get new frags. Was hoping ya'll could help me come up with ideas as far as filtration, lighting and fish go. Only want a couple fish in there to take care of algae. I am also of thinking of going bare bottom. :wavehand:
 
I wouldn't have sand in a frag tank either. I wish my husband would let me build one. He says if I get one more tank he is moving out. Lol
 
I am in the process of doing this very thing. I purchased a JBJ 20g rimless frag tank and I found an 8 bulb Aqua medic T5 fixture with timer for only $179 with bulbs. The JBJ is all in one and comes with a return pump. You also have the option of having the return run under the egg crate for perfect look down viewing.
 
I would take advantage of the $1/gallon sale at petco and either get a 20l or 40b, then just build custom racks with the usual stuff from home depot or lowes. Only the bottom is tempered so they can be drilled or use a HOB overflow or even a CTC.

Lighting I will always suggest LED but I have seen some nice frag tanks under T5 setups. actinic, blue+ and maybe a coral+ or purple+ if t5.

If your going to run a sump all the usual filtration will be there, even in bare bottom I would get a decent amount of live rock if possible to help with the natural biological filtration both in the DT and the sump. The rock in the DT can even help stabilize your frag racks.

Fish...a coral safe algae eater of your choice, I have seen all kinds of fish doing well in frag tanks, rainfordi goby I have heard good things about recently.
 
Mael said:
I would take advantage of the $1/gallon sale at petco and either get a 20l or 40b, then just build custom racks with the usual stuff from home depot or lowes. Only the bottom is tempered so they can be drilled or use a HOB overflow or even a CTC.

Lighting I will always suggest LED but I have seen some nice frag tanks under T5 setups. actinic, blue+ and maybe a coral+ or purple+ if t5.

If your going to run a sump all the usual filtration will be there, even in bare bottom I would get a decent amount of live rock if possible to help with the natural biological filtration both in the DT and the sump. The rock in the DT can even help stabilize your frag racks.

Fish...a coral safe algae eater of your choice, I have seen all kinds of fish doing well in frag tanks, rainfordi goby I have heard good things about recently.
Click to expand...

That goby doesn't survive in closed systems.
Unfortunately it perishes for lack of food.
I really like them, but it's just impossible...
If you know any way to keep them alive for more than 4 months please let me know what are you feeding...
Grandis.
 
Interesting, I've had my rainfordi goby for a little over 2months and it's looking a bit rough :( he's still alive just not his usual self. I see him pick everywhere so I'm guessing he's eating something.
 
We had one a while ago, thought it died, then three months of not ever seeing it and its magical self darts out of hole! Then not long after it did die...
 
hm, when I did my potential stocking list for Snorvish he said the rainfordi would be fine, but that was more towards being ok with my diamond watchman than its own survival I think.

I do see a problem if the rainfordis rely primarily on algae to eat and your tank is algae free, although might be able to supplement with macro or seaweed? I havent gotten one yet but it was on the plan....need to do a little more research now. Here is what LA says about their diet...
"The diet should consist of filamentous algae, small crustaceans, such as live and frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp."

Was the ones you guys had not taking brine or mysis?
 
No, their diet is mainly on filamentous algae, to tell the truth. I would think that some small crustaceans normally found in the algae could also be found in their stomach.
If you've got a "big" system with a decent filamentous algae supply I would believe they could have better chances of a long term survival.
I also believe they should have different types of filamentous algae to thrive in close systems.
Perhaps there is a main species of filamentous algae that A. rainfordi feeds on (?).
It's just sad that they are sold so often and so many people don't know about their poor survival rate.
Please notice their stomach when you get them from any store. They are most of the time already very, very skinny!!! When the stomach gets like that it's basically impossible to save them in the aquarium.

LA even says that "It is possible for the Court Jester Goby to spawn successfully in an aquarium." With a statement like that I wonder if they really know what they're talking about. Maybe a luck guy had lots and lots of filamentous algae in a "big" system and was able to keep them for long time to the point they reproduced. That would be nice!!! It would be great if they could specify their findings when researching for the captions.

If you know any other info about the species, please let us know...

Sorry for the off topic!!!

Grandis.
 
Did a quick search to update myself...
Check this out:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2301007&highlight=rainfordi+goby
:facepalm:
And I've found this site with some basic info:
Quick Facts :: Rainford's Goby
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Maximum Size: 3"
Minimum Tank Size: 20 Gallons
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 74-80° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Diet: Omnivore
Origin: Western Pacific
Family: Gobiidae
Species: Gobies
Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

Nice pics!
From:
http://www.aquariumdomain.com/viewSpeciesMarine.php?id=113

Grandis.
 
A little more (sorry I've got exited about the goby!!!)...
Check this individual's stomach (wild species in the ocean):
Amblygobius_rainfordi.jpg

The Rainford's Goby:
The Rainford's goby (or Old Glory goby, Amblygobius rainfordi), is a beautiful little fish, typically staying under 2.5 inches, but they're especially prone to die from starvation. I've also been told that they don't ship well, either. I've never tried keeping one myself due to the fact that everything I've heard/read about them indicates that they need to graze on green filamentous algae (hair algae) in order to thrive, or even survive. Hair algae is usually something that reef aquarists should try to avoid like the plague, so I think it's safe to say that this fish is a no-go for reef aquariums. Admittedly, I have read one report of a hobbyist that through persistence was able to get one to eat a few types of fish food (Michael, 2005). But, that's just one report.
...
Still, if you're into taking risks with the lives of fishes, note that these should be kept one per tank, or as mated pairs. However, with that said, Michael (2005) also reported that they usually occur singly, not in pairs, in the wild, and that he purchased a supposed mated pair that didn't get along at all. Just pick something else folks…

Images/text respectively from:
http://viewoftheoceans.com/html/rainfordi_s_goby__amblygobius_.html
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2011/1/fish_album/IMG_2474.jpg/image_preview

I think a great idea would be the cultivation of filamentous algae on macro algae out of the system.
That way we could offer a constant supply of algae for the species to thrive, exchanging the macro algae once a week, or as needed. The macro would stay in a refugium type of system, with light 24/7. Miracle Mud systems would be great to try the species as well. The presence of larger herbivores like Tangs would have to be avoided.

My last US#.02, I promisse. :D
Grandis.
 
much appreciated information. And if I figure a way of incorporating that into my new sump/fuge I may go for it in 6 months or so....

After reading all this, though, my sadness is that I see the rainfordi's in the Petco by me all the time, and they are the last place that should stock something like that, especially when you know they will sell anything to anyone.
 
Mael said:
much appreciated information. And if I figure a way of incorporating that into my new sump/fuge I may go for it in 6 months or so....

After reading all this, though, my sadness is that I see the rainfordi's in the Petco by me all the time, and they are the last place that should stock something like that, especially when you know they will sell anything to anyone.
Click to expand...

So true!!!

Grandis.
 
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