OK... so I am stuck with a 29 gallon “display” tank. Heh, don’t laugh... I’m making the best with what I have got.

However, I may be catching the frag bug. I’ve sliced and diced some mushrooms as well as some xenia, and it’s really cool. I have access to some gear that is pretty darn cheap that would be perfectly suited for a prop tank, and here’s what I am thinking.

Two 29 gallon tanks. In the top tank, I would build a box frame out of PVC and set some egg crate on top of that. That would be my growing platform. I could even do multiple levels to acclimate stuff before moving it out, or giving critters different light levels. Under the egg crate, I could place a bunch of live rock, or just save that for the sump. Either way, natural filtration and a lot of it, plus I could mix in some aragocrete or lace rock and basically be culturing live rock at the same time I am providing natural filtration.

In one or both of the tanks, some Chaetamorpha to keep down the phosphates and nitrates.

I would have a protien skimmer.

For lighting, two light hoods with actinic/T5 or actinic/PC combos. Plenty of light. Which is better, T5 or PCs? I do have the option of metal halides, but I think the added cost would not be justified, as the lower cost lighting solution might work better.

And then... critters? Should I have anything in there besides what I am culturing? A cleanup crew, perhaps? Fish? I’m not sure why I would want fish... wouldn’t they only add expense, and add wastes that I really don’t need?

I would REALLY appreciate input on this. I’m a little ADD... and I tend to get crazy and follow things on a whim before I have thought things out completely (e.g. marraige, a dog, a kid, a marine aquarium, a house, etc... :D )

OK. Bring it on. I’m ready.

First things first I am at the exact same stage, IE getting ready to set up my first frag tank. What I have seen has shown me alot of options but the one I am going to follow myself is a little "wierd".

PC's are my plan simply because I don't plan on doing it in a 1000g tank like the guy I am patterning off of. He recommends heavy skimming (he doesn't do Xenia) to reduce toxins corals give off when injured. His flow is medium for his tank size. This is where it gets wierd, he makes steps on the sides out of egg crate, hollow in the center, fills the steps with rubble before putting the top on, basically it's so he can vary light levels. He then has ceramic plates along the bottom of the tank between the 2 steps, this is where he puts the new plugs to age and get bacteria and newly made frags...less light and less flow here untill they are attached.

Anyway thats my plan, OH and yes he uses snails and proven hermits (ones he has watched for months) that don't mess with corals as well as 1 6 line wrasse.

I am going to use a 14K Metal Halide Pendant after all... exciting!

Here's a sketch

sounds like a plan u two. keep us informed with how it all pans out.
just a side note, simplistic notions of cramming as much live rock as possible within the system might not be cost effective if the animals u keep rely more on the light & building elements than food types. imo anyways

just a side note, simplistic notions of cramming as much live rock as possible within the system might not be cost effective if the animals u keep rely more on the light & building elements than food types. imo anyways

I agree, which is why I added the fuge.

There will be LR in the sump and in the display for filtration purposes. And of course, there's the skimmer.

Ordered plumbing today. Under the recommendation from GARF I got the Mag5 instread of the 7... flow is something I will have PLENTY of. Maybe too much of.

Well I may have a problem. I need to find out what size hole should have been drilled in my tank for a 1" bulkhead. I tried my first water tests in the tank and the bottom bulkhead is leaking, the gasket is pulled all the way through the hole.

I think the fricking glass shop drilled these holes too big.

If so, my plumbing is pretty much f'ing ruined.

And of course, I can't pull up the Marine Depot website to get the hole specs for these bulkheads.

What a setback. I am so totally bummed. I was hoping to start cycling this thing tomorrow!!! Ugh... :(

Yup, glass shop drilled the holes too big...

Jeff i am sorry to hear about that.

If you still need the specs here they are..
1" BH - 1 3/4"Hole

Nope... I got that. The holes are 2"

My only options for this tank are finding a different silicone gasket or a larger bulkhead.

Good luck man it always blows when other people make mistakes :mad: just try and pull through and keep us up to date on how it goes.

this is about all that has not been said yet ... if you are going to be fragging soft corals ... RUN CARBON 24/7 !! the toxins will make it harder on everyhting to heal or kill off everything that you are working so hard to reproduce. i would also recommend heavy skimming on a prop system.