Frag tank advice

Carson789

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Hello I'm relatively new to reefing but I've had fish tanks all my life. I've been looking into setting up a frag tank to start propagating my zoas and some high end mushrooms. I want to stay around $2000 if possible does any anybody have any suggestions on a tank to use. I have an ai prime hd light and I like it and get good growth so I was planning on using one or 2 for the frag tank. But if anyone has suggestions for a nice tank or other equipment I should look into for building a frag tank around that price I'd greatly appreciate it
 

stephj03

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I would consider either a botanicare style hydroponic reservoir




or a rectangular stock tank




Shipping will be prohibitive like it is for non custom aquariums but these items are regularly stocked at most farm supply and hydroponic supply stores.
 

stephj03

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Prob much easier to find an oval stock tank, if you don't mind the shape they are a great option as well for the price.
 

stephj03

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You'd be surprised how many permanent frag setups use these. They plumb up just the same.

Food for thought: Stock tanks are meant to "permanently" sit outside in the sun/rain/snow and hold water for longer than most ppl stay in the hobby anymore.

I prob would have gone this route if I hadn't lucked into a couple of free frag tanks.
 
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Carson789

Carson789

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I was wanting to use an actual acrylic tank just cause it's going to be inside so I still want it to look nice. Would yall recommend a aio tank or something with a sump. The max I would want to spend is about 2k but obviously less is better lol. I was thinking about getting a low boy tank maybe a 2ft square or bigger. I want to have room for a rubble section for growing shrooms and the rest for growing out zoas and maybe some of the challice corals I have. I don't really plan on growing acros or anything like that in it but maybe in the future. Also does anybody have any advice on what I could grow my zoas out on to make them easy to separate when it comes time to frag?
 

mdb_talon

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If you can find one local(often at reptile stores they can order for you) i think the zoo med 50 lowboy(48x24x10) is really good for a frag tank. Non tempered so can drill if you doing sump. If not doing sump it is not a great option as it is a shallow tank and hard time fitting rock/filtration in there and still leaving room for frag racks.
 

mdb_talon

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I was wanting to use an actual acrylic tank just cause it's going to be inside so I still want it to look nice. Would yall recommend a aio tank or something with a sump. The max I would want to spend is about 2k but obviously less is better lol. I was thinking about getting a low boy tank maybe a 2ft square or bigger. I want to have room for a rubble section for growing shrooms and the rest for growing out zoas and maybe some of the challice corals I have. I don't really plan on growing acros or anything like that in it but maybe in the future. Also does anybody have any advice on what I could grow my zoas out on to make them easy to separate when it comes time to frag?

If you have some diy ability a 50 lowboy with 40b sump and diy stand can easily be done under $2k even with mid/high end lights. Less than $500 for both tanks including plumbing/bulkheads/sump dividers/etc. Leaves you $1500 for lights/pumps/heaters and even a skimmer if you plan to run one.
 

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Without a doubt Advanced Acrylics for the tank, sump too. They have many stock sizes, and will make a custom tank within reason (like changing internal overflow to external) for you for the same or nearly the same price. Free shipping as well. I have one of theirs in a 24 x 20 x 12 and the workmanship is top notch. I almost pulled the trigger on a 24 x 72 x 12 but bought a used one locally, or I would have 2 of their tanks. They make some nice frag racks as well, I have full sets in both of my frag tanks.

https://advancedacrylics.com/collections/frag-tanks-1
 
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Carson789

Carson789

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I was
Without a doubt Advanced Acrylics for the tank, sump too. They have many stock sizes, and will make a custom tank within reason (like changing internal overflow to external) for you for the same or nearly the same price. Free shipping as well. I have one of theirs in a 24 x 20 x 12 and the workmanship is top notch. I almost pulled the trigger on a 24 x 72 x 12 but bought a used one locally, or I would have 2 of their tanks. They make some nice frag racks as well, I have full sets in both of my frag tanks.
I'll definitely have to look into that
 
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Carson789

Carson789

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I was also considering an aio tank, something like this
If I got this I think one ai prime then an ato with a tank in the stand heater and all the frag racks an stuff. Does anyone have experience using an aio tank for a frag tank or is that a bad idea.
 
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Carson789

Carson789

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Just edited my last post to include a link.
I like the aio frag tanks they have I just wish they were 12 inches deep not 6. I was looking at the custom section but I didn't see an option to do an aio tank there so I guess if I used them I'd do a sump
 

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