Blennioidei
Active Member
Hi guys,
I am planning to start a new build, which will be a frag tank. I will document it here, and I'm happy to get some advice from people who are more experienced with these kinds of builds.
Some info about where I'm at:
I have an ~80-gallon mixed reef, which just turned 2 years old. This tank is doing great, and for some time I've been able to sell some frags from it. I want to do more of that, as I really enjoy working with corals. It's also been nice to meet local reefers, help them with some awesome frags, while getting some money back to offset the cost of running the tanks.
My LFS is not bad by any means, but the selection is limited, and it's kind of pricey, as there isn't any real competition. Online coral ordering is still in its infancy here, and it's also expensive.
I have a ~20-gallon AIO tank in my work room, where the new tank will go. This tank is doing "okay-ish." It was mainly intended as an observation/QT tank, but as the main tank is almost complete, it has lost its purpose and now running as an LPS/Softie tank. The current inhabitants are a Yellow Coris Wrasse, who should have been in the other tank by now, but I can't catch the bugger; a small Valentini Puffer who is a murderer; a Bicolor Blenny; and a small Citron Clown Goby. I want to strip down this tank and kind of merge it into the new build.
So my plan is to order some corals(mainly softies, zoas and LPS) that are not usually available here (shipping is expensive, but manageable), grow them out, and sell them locally.
The build:
Tank: 120 cm × 50 cm × 35 cm. This is the basic idea. Since pre-built tanks aren't that common here, I'm currently looking at my options. I'm kind of tempted to buy a complete setup from Alibaba. I want to try it, even though I know I probably shouldn't.
If I can't find a reasonably priced pre-built system, then I'll order a custom one from my LFS.
Sump: No idea at the moment.
Stand: Either buy a complete system or build one from aluminum profiles. I have no experience with those, so it should be fun.
Other structural: Either a rear overflow box or a side Herbie overflow with hard plumbing. My other tank uses flexible tubing, and I'm not a big fan of it.
Biomedia / Filtration: Bare bottom. I'm still thinking about what biomedia I want to use. The entire aquascape from the other tank would go into the sump refugium area (after fragging all the corals off it), so it should help jump-start the system.
Lighting: I want to try the A8SE lights, or maybe the Pro version. I don't know how different they are yet, so I need to do some research.
Skimmer: I have a Deltec 600i, and I love it, so I was thinking about getting another one, but I'm open to suggestions.
Dosing: Jebao doser, Modern Reef RKS, just like on my other tank.
Other: Kamoer ATO, Popbloom refugium light with chaeto, and a slightly oversized Jebao return pump.
Livestock: The Valentini and the two goby from the other tank. Want to add a bristletooth tang, and some wrasse who dont sleep in the sand. Most likely thats it for fish. Snails, and some crabs will go in, also an urchin, but I have to monitor as the puffer likes some expensive snack.
Any input is welcome, and I will try post time to time about my findings
I am planning to start a new build, which will be a frag tank. I will document it here, and I'm happy to get some advice from people who are more experienced with these kinds of builds.
Some info about where I'm at:
I have an ~80-gallon mixed reef, which just turned 2 years old. This tank is doing great, and for some time I've been able to sell some frags from it. I want to do more of that, as I really enjoy working with corals. It's also been nice to meet local reefers, help them with some awesome frags, while getting some money back to offset the cost of running the tanks.
My LFS is not bad by any means, but the selection is limited, and it's kind of pricey, as there isn't any real competition. Online coral ordering is still in its infancy here, and it's also expensive.
I have a ~20-gallon AIO tank in my work room, where the new tank will go. This tank is doing "okay-ish." It was mainly intended as an observation/QT tank, but as the main tank is almost complete, it has lost its purpose and now running as an LPS/Softie tank. The current inhabitants are a Yellow Coris Wrasse, who should have been in the other tank by now, but I can't catch the bugger; a small Valentini Puffer who is a murderer; a Bicolor Blenny; and a small Citron Clown Goby. I want to strip down this tank and kind of merge it into the new build.
So my plan is to order some corals(mainly softies, zoas and LPS) that are not usually available here (shipping is expensive, but manageable), grow them out, and sell them locally.
The build:
Tank: 120 cm × 50 cm × 35 cm. This is the basic idea. Since pre-built tanks aren't that common here, I'm currently looking at my options. I'm kind of tempted to buy a complete setup from Alibaba. I want to try it, even though I know I probably shouldn't.
If I can't find a reasonably priced pre-built system, then I'll order a custom one from my LFS.Sump: No idea at the moment.
Stand: Either buy a complete system or build one from aluminum profiles. I have no experience with those, so it should be fun.
Other structural: Either a rear overflow box or a side Herbie overflow with hard plumbing. My other tank uses flexible tubing, and I'm not a big fan of it.
Biomedia / Filtration: Bare bottom. I'm still thinking about what biomedia I want to use. The entire aquascape from the other tank would go into the sump refugium area (after fragging all the corals off it), so it should help jump-start the system.
Lighting: I want to try the A8SE lights, or maybe the Pro version. I don't know how different they are yet, so I need to do some research.
Skimmer: I have a Deltec 600i, and I love it, so I was thinking about getting another one, but I'm open to suggestions.
Dosing: Jebao doser, Modern Reef RKS, just like on my other tank.
Other: Kamoer ATO, Popbloom refugium light with chaeto, and a slightly oversized Jebao return pump.
Livestock: The Valentini and the two goby from the other tank. Want to add a bristletooth tang, and some wrasse who dont sleep in the sand. Most likely thats it for fish. Snails, and some crabs will go in, also an urchin, but I have to monitor as the puffer likes some expensive snack.
Any input is welcome, and I will try post time to time about my findings
