How to propagate (frag) corals with limited tank space! How do you do it?

[sfin52]

So I've always loved the idea of "farming" my corals even if it was just in a small space and a limited amount of frags. Growing corals has always appealed to me and at times I wanted to frag coral and really didn't have the space to do it. But there are ways that you can use limited space to grow out coral fragments. I could list several now but I would like to hear from you on this and how you have accomplished this. PHOTOS ARE A MUST!

What are some ways you have found work well when it comes to fragging & housing corals in a limited space?

At one point I had set up a 10g frag tank under my stand because I didn't have anywhere else to put it!

I have a small frag rack. For me turned the 55 fowlr to a reef has worked out well. Mature in the 90 frags go in the 55.

 

[Chessmanmark]

Three frag racks currently, one for SPS, one for zoas and some LPS, and one with some montis. I have one of those fake rock magnets and originally I was going to use it for zoas, but eggcrate is much easier to let frags spread onto more frag plugs. One of the frag racks is going to be a permanent shelf for a monticap. I’d like to add a frag tank in the future but it sounds like more work.

 

[reefd00d]

I keep just a small rack in my display tank.

I have that same one. But I put a birdsnest frag on there for too long and it encrusted and is now taking over half the rack!

 

[Dev795]

I have a small 20G tank, i have a frag rack i use to frag corals and once they heal, i have been giving them away, but i think i am going to just let my tank fill in and see what happens

 

[FastandCurious]

I picked up this cute frag rack (they had the 12 fit as well) at my LFS and I love it bc it's magnetic. Perfect for growing out some of my zoas before I add them to my zoa garden!

 

[Stang67]

I tried the racks in the display and didnt care for the look of that. Tried setting up something in the sump but lighting was an issue since I have a refugium and not enough room in general. So I repurposed my first set up a 29g into a freestanding frag tank. It's in the process of cycling now. Nice thing is that I can now use it as a QT tank for new corals and fish as well.

 

[FastandCurious]

I do not have my saltwater setup yet. That's happening this weekend. However, I am planning on getting a magnetic frag rack when I am ready to start fragging to attach to the back side of my tank. I figure this will give me a little bit of room.

I tried the racks in the display and didnt care for the look of that. Tried setting up something in the sump but lighting was an issue since I have a refugium and not enough room in general. So I repurposed my first set up a 29g into a freestanding frag tank. It's in the process of cycling now. Nice thing is that I can now use it as a QT tank for new corals and fish as well.

Hey there question, I seen ppl do that dyi ATO or even sumps with those buckets before. I've wanted to try something similar in case of emergencies or just as an extra tank for qt. How are u using urs?

 

[Blenniesarebest]

I have 3 tanks i swip swap out of a 40 breeder basic set up my favorite and best 16 biocube where i like to grow near about any coral and my 150 display with orphek leds where the mature colonies go

 

[Stang67]

Hey there question, I seen ppl do that dyi ATO or even sumps with those buckets before. I've wanted to try something similar in case of emergencies or just as an extra tank for qt. How are u using urs?

I use the white bucket as an ato. Hate manual top offs and this tank is in the basement so not down there everyday to monitor.

 

[RussiReef]

6ft frag tank connected to my 280 gal DT

 

[Blknovass]

I have that same one. But I put a birdsnest frag on there for too long and it encrusted and is now taking over half the rack!

Oh no! I kept some zoas on there too long and in the pic you can see them on the rack.

 

[willtheld]

I went with an external skimmer and turned the skimmer section of my sump into a frag grow out area.

 

[Max_nano]

My tank is a frag tank. I have rocks in the front as a display and grow out. 36x20x8 AIO

 

[Joshua Jordan]

Hi! I love this question, its definitley not easy! The only tank thats mature enough to produce frags for me is a 20 peninsula so you can tell how cramped it is! Heres how I make it work.

I have a permanent clear frag rack at the end of the peninsula. It’s removable but since I put it in I haven’t taken it out. It’s not too big, only 8 slots. In the pic I have some scrambled eggs sitting up there ready to be picked up by the buyer.

Now you see that space to the right of the green torch and towards the return pump? That’s where I put my temporary frag rack should I need it. It’s actually quite big, and holds 12 frags

Then I have my little Xenia cup on the side of the tank there. I use it for Xenia, shrooms, leather, sinularia, colt coral, nepthea, etc. Basically any softie that needs some time to attach to the plug/rubble.

If you look towards the left side of that first FTS or the front of this new one, you’ll find my zoa garden. If the buyer is okay with it, I mount the frags on shells (like the scrambled egg here) then put them on the bottom. This saves space and I can easily identify which frags are being sold to who based on the type of shell they’re mounted on. So one buyer may be getting all flat shells and another may get all spiral shells.

So that’s how I’m making it work! I can’t put anything like a fuge under my stand because it’s an AIO tank so I’m just cramming everything I can into the display while trying to maintain the beauty of the tank! You can’t see the circular frag rack from the front because there’s a giant blue mushroom blocking it from view. You gotta do whatcha gotta do in a tiny tank!

Absolutely beautiful tank, my friend. I am SO jealous!

 

[Joshua Jordan]

I recently purchased an Advanced Acrylics 24"x20"x8" AIO Frag Tank. It is a very well made tank that is absolutely perfect for growing out frags. I HIGHLY recommend them as they are very reasonable in price and the customer service is outstanding. Free shipping, as well. They will also paint the bottom black for free.

 

[725196]

I currently have a simple magnetic, frag rack in side my tank to the right. It only holds 16 plugs, but works for me as when I frag they don't last long anyway. I post them online and sell them or give them away fast.

 

[footgal]

Absolutely beautiful tank, my friend. I am SO jealous!

Thank you! She’s still young, only 10 months old!

 

[Eyesac]

I'm using a Waterbox Cube 10 currently for coral and inverts until they go in the cube 20 downstairs. These were picked up yesterday from @WWC. Scored 6 frags from the Cyber Monday Live Sale. I have a 12 frag rack coming Monday. Lights haven't kicked on yet lol.

 

[Mester320]

I am bursting at the seams and I already turned my sump into a frag tank

 

[reefd00d]

I have multilple rock looking frag racks that attach to the glass. Less sightly than the acrylic ones, in my opinion. Reefrax and Aquarocks are two that come to mind. Here is a terrible pic of one of mine.