Frag Tanks Ready for Coral?

[Louiemiller9]

Hey guys,

So I have had my two 48X48 Frag Tanks (Hydroponic Tables) running for about 2 months now. I have a 150g Sump that feeds both of these tanks, which holds over 60lbs of live rock. I have added a few bottle of turbo startup in order to ensure I have plenty of beneficial bacteria cycling. I feed the tanks almost every day with reef Frenzy and have a T5 Metal Halide Hybrid lighting both of these tanks.

My Water Parameters

Alk - 9.5-10
Calcium - 500-550
magnesium- 1600
Ammonia- 0 Undetectable
nitrites- 0
nitrates- 1
salinity- 35ppm
temp -77.9

I have tried to introduce a few soft corals into these tank including a few Zoa Colonies from my main display as well as mushrooms/ricordia. I left these corals in there for about a week or so but polyps never opened and mushrooms began to shrink. so I have since moved them back into my main display where they began to open again.

Is the tank just too new for corals still or am I missing something?
I really appreciate any feedback.

 

[Perthegallon]

I think it still might have to go through the ugly stage but I guess if you go another month with no issues then its fine?

 

[Perthegallon]

did you add any fish?

 

[Leadfooted]

How many gallons in the main display? Any chance of moving some or a large amount off that seasoned water into the new system?

 

[andrewey]

I'm guessing the culprit isn't the age of the frag tanks. Likely either the colonies needed longer to acclimate or more likely, the zoas/mushrooms may not have been happy with the lighting/flow if they are dramatically different from your DT (I'm going to guess they are stronger?) or the parameters are drastically different.

Also, if you are planning on running any SPS, watch out with that alkalinity (in light of your low nutrient levels).

 

[92Miata]

My Water Parameters

Alk - 9.5-10
Calcium - 500-550
magnesium- 1600

Do these match the parameters of your display? They're all super high.



You absolutely should be able to keep mushrooms happy in a 2 month old frag tank. You should be able to keep SPS happy at that point if you know what you're doing. So something is irritating the corals.

 

[Louiemiller9]

did you add any fish?

i have not added fish

 

[Louiemiller9]

How many gallons in the main display? Any chance of moving some or a large amount off that seasoned water into the new system?

The main display is about 100g... I will give that a try tonight.

 

[Louiemiller9]

I'm guessing the culprit isn't the age of the frag tanks. Likely either the colonies needed longer to acclimate or more likely, the zoas/mushrooms may not have been happy with the lighting/flow if they are dramatically different from your DT (I'm going to guess they are stronger?) or the parameters are drastically different.

Also, if you are planning on running any SPS, watch out with that alkalinity (in light of your low nutrient levels).

yes the lighting is much more powerful but flow is about the same.

As for Parameters,
my alk in the DT is around 8.5 so alittle off but wasnt sure if that was the issue.

 

[Louiemiller9]

Do these match the parameters of your display? They're all super high.



You absolutely should be able to keep mushrooms happy in a 2 month old frag tank. You should be able to keep SPS happy at that point if you know what you're doing. So something is irritating the corals.

the alk on the display tank is lower... Could that be shocking the corals. as for the other parameters that are high, any idea how to bring them down?

 

[Louiemiller9]

I will send some photos when I get home to show you what I am working with.

 

[Perthegallon]

I think the big thing is acclimation of the corals to the new tank because of the change in water and flow. Next would be light if they are different. I would also add a fish as well to it.

 

[Louiemiller9]

I took a few photos of the setup... is the light too much ?

 

[Perthegallon]

Im not expert but it looks good

 

[Louiemiller9]

I will just try to add water from my main display... I’ll let you all know how it goes

 

[Leadfooted]

I will just try to add water from my main display... I’ll let you all know how it goes

I'd try 20 gallons initially, then 10-15 gallons a week and add additional live foods in my main display during this time as well. You're close!

 

[Uncle99]

2 months is young for a frag tank.
Shrinking ricordea is a sign of this.
Just like a display, corals do way better when maturity has been reached.....for me it was 6 months.....otherwise they just seem to slowly melt away.