Frag Tank- Live Rock vs. Needed Space

[returnofsid]

So, I'm in the midst of revamping my 40 breeder, specifically as a frag tank. I have a few different directions I'm considering. Currently, my available equipment includes the tank, a 6 bulb Tek5 OR a Hamilton 250W Pendant, a large CPR Aquafuge and a couple Modded Maxijets.

I do not currently have a sump/fuge or a skimmer. However, an option is to build a sump/fuge and purchase a skimmer. Another option is to forego the sump/fuge and purchase a HOB Skimmer.

Now comes the main question that I have.

Live rock! This tank will only have 2 fish, a 6 Lined Wrasse and something for algae control, maybe a small Rabbitfish or a small Scopas Tang.

How to I balance the need for live rock, along with the need for room for frag racks and such? I don't want to put so much live rock in the 40, that I lose a lot of room for frags.

Suggestions? Advice?

 

[drainbamage]

build a rack that goes over a layer of rocks-say a 8" tall rack, but you will still lose some space and flow in the rock layer will need to be high to prevent detritus build-up.

Or-build a rack with a rock pile on one end of the tank-that's what I essentially did with this tank %

frag rack consumes majority of area, with a small portion of the back for a rock wall. Two fish are a yellow eye tang and a green corris wrasse, and bare bottom prevents too much debris build-up

 

[divewsharks]

I don't have a pic, but all of my rock is below frag racks. Does tank more time to clean, as the rock impedes some flow underneath allowing some detritus to build up. I have a spare powerhead to focus current under the racks, just haven't got around to putting into position.
Only fish i currently have in there is a cherub angel; but will soon be replacing him with a pair of clowns (once i catch them from another one of my tanks)

 

[returnofsid]

See, I'm wanting the bottom bare of sand, or live rock, if at all possible. This way, I can place Zoanthids, Acans, Echinos and other LPS, on the bottom, while placing SPS on tiered racks. I plan on having 2 or 3 tiers of racks, with less light demanding SPS on the lower tiers and higher light demanding SPS closer to the light.

I guess another option, since I do have 2X40s and 2 light options available, would be to set up 2 frag tanks...lol. I could set up one, specifically for SPS, utilizing the sump/fuge and a skimmer, along with the Hamilton 250W pendant. I could set the second one up, for LPS/Zoanthids, using the 6 bulb Tek5 and HOB CPR Aquafuge. Hmmmmm but that would require even more live rock...lol. Unfortunately, I can't set both up, together, plumbed to a shared sump/refugium. I just don't have enough room. Each 40 would need to be set up, in separate locations of the house.

 

[divewsharks]

you could place all the rock just to one side of the tank, with only a couple fish, would not require much at all. That way the rest the tank bottom would be free.
In my tank i have two levels side by side; my lights are LEDs, which focus majority of their light to 3/4 of the tank leaving the last 1/4 for lower light preferring corals.

 

[swannyson7]

What if you stacked them and used on of the 40B as the sump? Add a couple baffles, and then you could store all the LR you want down below.

 

[dougers31]

I plan on using eggcrate to keep the live rock in my FT about an inch off the bottom with a pump or two aimed underneath the rock to help keep detritus from accumulating, and then putting eggcrate over the layer of live rock.

 

[CJO]

If you do put in a sump, you can put all of your live rock in there (as long as it's lighted) and have plenty of room in your display for frag racks.

CJ

 

[divewsharks]

I plan on using eggcrate to keep the live rock in my FT about an inch off the bottom with a pump or two aimed underneath the rock to help keep detritus from accumulating, and then putting eggcrate over the layer of live rock.

if you used eggcrate below the rock (to sit on), you would likely create little pockets where detritus can build up still.

 

[divewsharks]

If you do put in a sump, you can put all of your live rock in there (as long as it's lighted) and have plenty of room in your display for frag racks.

CJ

If its just LR, no light required.