For many successful reef hobbyists there will come a time when the corals have adapted well and exhibit good growth. This eventually leads to overcrowding and coral trimming well, becomes necessary. This is a great chance to recoup the costs of a reef aquarium and promote aquacultured corals in the reef aquarium hobby. This hobby often impacts our precious ocean resources and efforts to minimize negative impacts and are always beneficial.
A frag tank has a few qualities that differ from a typical reef aquarium. First, a frag tank system should have very minimal rock work in the main tank. Live rock is still necessary for filtration but should be stored in the sump or refugium. The idea is to maximize the space for coral frags. This also allows for efficient flow since large objects often obstruct flow.
A frag system should be shallow as possible to maximize the efficiency of lights and pumps. A good height range for a frag tank ranges from 8 to 12 inches. Frag tanks that are dedicated to strictly SPS corals may even get away with six inches. If the frag tank will house a mixture of coral frags with different lighting requirements then it’s best to go with 12 inches.
It’s important to have high, medium to low light zones in a frag tank. This is very important since it’s very easy to overpower a shallow tank. A coral frag that was trimmed from a low light area in an aquarium that is suddenly exposed to 250 watts under a few inches of water can mean disaster. A sudden increase in intensity can quickly bleach out a coral.
High flow is very important in a frag tank because newly trimmed frags will require high flow to prevent infection. Furthermore, frag tanks are usually fed heavily to increase growth rates. For this reason good flow will help minimize settling detritus. Like a display aquarium, it is important that the water flow is random and multidirectional. Finally, a space should be set up in the frag system with an area of zero flow. Many live corals such as Xenia or Mushrooms will require time to attach to objects after being cut. These corals will need an area with nearly no flow for them to attach. A great place for this is the refugium or sump.
A frag tank doesn’t always require a complex and expensive equipment. Nano frag tanks are extremely popular and can set up quite easily. With enough effort and time it’s possible to recover the frag tank investment. Growing out coral frags is a rewarding experience and a great way to save our reefs.
Los Angeles Reefs is a reef shop that specializes in live coral, macroalgae and other marine livestock for reef aquariums. LA Reefs is owned and operated by hobbyists and run under the motto hobbyist to hobbyist. It has been enjoying success throughout the past 8 years with experience in thousands of shipments since start up.
For a wide selection of Zoanthids visit: Zoanthid Frags.
This article is brought to you by setting up a saltwater aquarium
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Matian
Click here for more information about setting up a frag tank
Find out practical info about house train dog – please go through the web page. The times have come when proper info is truly only one click away, use this opportunity.
