30 Gallon Propagation Tank

[injektion]

I'm planning to set up a 30 gallon prop (frag) tank and I was just wondering what's everyone's take on set up. I've seen many different kinds (tank w/ sand & LR & sump, tank w/o sand & sump w/ bioballs, livestock/no livestock, etc.) but I just want some people's opinions or preferences.

As of right now I plan on putting some sand (maybe 1 inch), a filter (or maybe LR I'm not sure yet, ), a 10 gallon sump, and 175w metal halide 14k bulb. I'm not keeping SPS, maybe some LPS, but mainly softies for now so I don't need crazy lighting. I'd like LED lighting but as of today these fixtures are still too costly, which is a shame because they seem to be getting good reviews. I might get a fish or two just to make the tank a little lively but it'll probably be a firefish goby or something. For CUC probably just a few snails/conch. If I don't put livestock in, is it absolutely essential on having a protein skimmer?

I'm not new to the hobby so no need for the intro lessons I just wanted some input on preferred ways of setting up propagation tanks. I'll be sure to post some pics when I have it up and running.

thanks in advance!

 

[ben1987]

cant it be linked to your main tank? this was you just got one larger water volume to mainatain

 

[steelhealr]

The setups I've seen use sand, PHs and minimal if any LR. Many have setup shelves using plastic eggcrate to keep the frags near the light source. As you probably know, photosynthetic corals give off very little waste and the sandbed should handle anything that comes off. I see no issues with bioballs in this situation. SH

 

[injektion]

@ben1987 - i don't want to link it to my main tank because of the feedings, which could lead to unbalanced water chemistry. I test the water before i make water changes (every 1 or 2 weeks), and sometimes i get a little more nitrates than the last time. that's why i'm limiting the livestock in the tank to maybe 1 fish, as i don't want the water params to fluctuate too much. besides, where i'm placing the tank in the room, if i linked it to my main tank, i'd have an 8' long pvc pipe running horizontally across the living room!

@steelhealr - yea i know about the egg crates, which was the main appeal of having a frag tank for me. if it were you, would you rather choose bio balls or a refugium?

as for lighting, i wouldn't be getting the correct spectrum as the 14k would only have a little bit of white and actinic. would this have any adverse effects on the corals? in my main tank i'm only running 4 t5's in a 4' 70 gallon tank with 2 actinics and 2 whites and while it may not look as good without the purplish light, it seems to be doing the job. would the 175w 14k MH be similar to what i currently have in my main tank?

also, do i need to have a protein skimmer or can i get away without one, since my bioload would be pretty low?