Frag Tank Question(s) (1 Viewer)

[New HTXReef]

Just ordered my first frag tank. Going to use it as a grow out tank for now. Was originally thinking about plumbing into my 72 until I get the 180 up and running. Wife doesn’t want it in the living room so I am going to set it up as a stand alone in my office.
Do I need to cycle this tank?
I have an old wet/dry sump that Im planning on using and putting about 15 pounds of live rock or bio balls in.
Going to run a 4 bulb 36” T5 setup.
Any suggestions or recommendations?

 

[Cody]

Just ordered my first frag tank. Going to use it as a grow out tank for now. Was originally thinking about plumbing into my 72 until I get the 180 up and running. Wife doesn’t want it in the living room so I am going to set it up as a stand alone in my office.
Do I need to cycle this tank?
I have an old wet/dry sump that Im planning on using and putting about 15 pounds of live rock or bio balls in.
Going to run a 4 bulb 36” T5 setup.
Any suggestions or recommendations?

You need to cycle the frag tank if you're not plumbing it into an existing system, and even then, give it a week.

If you're using existing biomedical to jump start it then you still need a week or so to allow it to adjust.

 

[New HTXReef]

Thanks Cody. I’ve had quite a bit of bio brick in my sump for a few months. Planning on buying some live rock and moving all the bio brick into the frag sump to start things off. Since I’m not planning on keeping any fish in here do I need a skimmer or any other equipment I’m not thinking about? Planning pretty simple right now heater, return pump, power heads, light, and live rock. Going to dos manually when it’s time.

 

[Cody]

Thanks Cody. I’ve had quite a bit of bio brick in my sump for a few months. Planning on buying some live rock and moving all the bio brick into the frag sump to start things off. Since I’m not planning on keeping any fish in here do I need a skimmer or any other equipment I’m not thinking about? Planning pretty simple right now heater, return pump, power heads, light, and live rock. Going to dos manually when it’s time.

A skimmer is a good way to mechanically filter the water, plus also introduce oxygen back into the system, effect ph, etc. I would not recommend a stand alone system without some fish unless you have a way of importing and exporting nutrients correctly. Fish and clean up crews help manage your feeding while the variety of filtration units pick up the mess. I'm sure a system is able to be maintained without fish, etc, but I would steer away from that option. High maintenance and knowledge/experience would be needed for that system.