MischiefReef
Active Member
So I am getting ready to setup my new 230 gallon display tank in the basement. Delivery of that tank is expected to be in the next two weeks. But first in order to prep the space that the 230 gallon is going into I had to break down two older FW tanks. One of them was a 45 gallon that I was trying to figure out what to do with when I had the idea of turning it into a temporary frag/grow out tank to assist with my 230 gallon build. This will not be any spectacular or revolutionary new build.
My goals:
-Minimize the cycle time so I can start choosing and fragging corals for my 230gallon as soon as possible.
-To keep this frag tank basic and simple. The point is to make the 230gallon build easier, not add work.
-Keep everything within a modest budget. Since I have most of the necessary equipment already and this frag tank is supposed to be temporary I didn’t want this to be a huge investment. I’d rather put the money towards the 230gallon’s equipment!
-See how quickly I can set up a barebones coral quarantine and how soon I can safely add corals of differing varieties. All of the test frags will be coming from my other DTs.
The conversion process from freshwater for the 45 gallon really just involved rinsing and scrubbing out the tank and canister filter media.
Equipment List:
Eheim heater 100watt
Eheim 3 canister filter
Marineland LED light bar x2 (Nothing fancy, they are from my FW setup, but have some decent blue LEDs.)
A very small air pump.
Target parameters:
Salinity: 1.025
PH: 8.3
Alk: 11.5-12.0
NO3 10-20
PO4: 0.1-0.2
Calcium:450-470
Mag:1350-1380
Pics below
FW setup prior to takedown
Filled up with salt water
1 week progression
1 week progression (night time)
My goals:
-Minimize the cycle time so I can start choosing and fragging corals for my 230gallon as soon as possible.
-To keep this frag tank basic and simple. The point is to make the 230gallon build easier, not add work.
-Keep everything within a modest budget. Since I have most of the necessary equipment already and this frag tank is supposed to be temporary I didn’t want this to be a huge investment. I’d rather put the money towards the 230gallon’s equipment!
-See how quickly I can set up a barebones coral quarantine and how soon I can safely add corals of differing varieties. All of the test frags will be coming from my other DTs.
The conversion process from freshwater for the 45 gallon really just involved rinsing and scrubbing out the tank and canister filter media.
Equipment List:
Eheim heater 100watt
Eheim 3 canister filter
Marineland LED light bar x2 (Nothing fancy, they are from my FW setup, but have some decent blue LEDs.)
A very small air pump.
Target parameters:
Salinity: 1.025
PH: 8.3
Alk: 11.5-12.0
NO3 10-20
PO4: 0.1-0.2
Calcium:450-470
Mag:1350-1380
Pics below
FW setup prior to takedown
Filled up with salt water
1 week progression
1 week progression (night time)
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