Frag/grow out tank

BARNAKEWLZ · May 7, 2022

A little back story. After a 4 or 5 years keeping a small aio tank. I decide it was time to upgrade to something larger. So I made the leap, purchased a 85 gallon tank/sump and all the new goodies to for for a an all out build. (Right before Covid) so I had plenty of time to
Make it right. After a year of research and building, everything was done and going great. Til one day, a Saturday morning, ready to do my normal routine.. I go to open up the stand and it’s jammed to the floor. This obviously freaked me out and immediately drain and torn down the tank. Not sure what happen. Maybe the stand is the issue. Maybe the floor. Didn’t want to chance it. So off to the storage unit it goes until another day, place, or home. Didn’t really want to sell it and take a loss. Especially since I really didn’t want to give up.

so that leads me to now. After a year break And a sad aio holding a few pieces of coral, fish, and a starfish that has been with me for a handful of years. It’s time to start a new smaller/ lighter tank that would feed my need.

the plan for the new tank is to focus on corals collection. To focus on growth and husbandry of coral. It’s not going to be a display. Basically a frag/grow out.

Here is a description. Of the tank, equipment, and plan.

tank: 24” x 24” x 10” with an internal overflow/sump
Stand: aluminum framing
light: xr15
Return: vectors s2
Flow: 2 gryo
Skimmer: bubble magus z series
dosing: thinking of giving “all for reef” a try.

the goal is to keep this somewhat automated and simple.

here is a shot of the start, will update as progress goes

CoralB · May 7, 2022

The tank in storage , is it in temp controlled storage ? A non temp controlled storage could play havoc on the seams of that tank

BARNAKEWLZ · May 7, 2022

CoralB said:
The tank in storage , is it in temp controlled storage ? A non temp controlled storage could play havoc on the seams of that tank

good point. the storage unit is inside and I live in central Cali where the temp never drops below 60 and is never really above 80 year around. we don't any have weather here ha. Not really sure what the temps would be to effect the seals.?? But I hope that works out. Should probably do some research. Appreciate that info

BARNAKEWLZ · May 22, 2022

Couple of updates. I added a few tester frags. So far all is well. I kept it easy, some Zoas, softies, acans, Davis, and montis. Months are not doing to well. Most like the tank is still fairly new and there may be a few swings I. The perimeters that I need to hash out. Besides that everything else looks happy.
Next step is going to be the skimmer. I choose to not install it right away. Thought it would be good to read the balance out the nitrates first and then add it if needed. I do have a light load with only a couple clowns and cardinal fish.
Also need to work out the trident. For some reason, test b is failing. It is regularly test alkalinity. That’s really the only thing I care about. I can test calc and mag by hand. Here is a photo of a leather and the tank so far

X-37B · May 22, 2022

Nice setup! Are you running the pro or the blue xr15 gen5?

BARNAKEWLZ · May 22, 2022

90's reefer said:
Nice setuo. Are you running the pro or the blue xr15 gen5?

I’m running a gen 4 pro. That I had in storage. Might add another if needed. Have a few other lights in storage if it doesn’t give enough juice later down the road.

X-37B · May 22, 2022

BARNAKEWLZ said:
I’m running a gen 4 pro. That I had in storage. Might add another if needed. Have a few other lights in storage if it doesn’t give enough juice later down the road.

Awesome it looks good so far.

BARNAKEWLZ · May 22, 2022

90's reefer said:
Awesome it looks good so far.

Thanks! Nice tank build btw! Just took a glance!

X-37B · May 22, 2022

BARNAKEWLZ said:
Thanks! Nice tank build btw! Just took a glance!

Thanks. That 120 has been replaced by an 80g growout system.
My other 2 systems, 20g nano and my 45 frag system.

BARNAKEWLZ · May 22, 2022

90's reefer said:
Thanks. That 120 has been replaced by an 80g growout system.
My other 2 systems, 20g nano and my 45 frag system.

Oh nice! That frag tank is inspiring! How long has it been up and running?

X-37B · May 22, 2022

BARNAKEWLZ said:
Oh nice! That frag tank is inspiring! How long has it been up and running?

Its comming up on 2.5 years next month. It was powered by halides untill a few months ago. The results I got from the 20g, running 2 16hds, is the reason all my halides are in storage. I have ran halides for 30+ years and am now an led guy, lol.
The 20g nano cube will be 4 months old on the 26th of this month.