frag tank

[jc]

I've been inspired to build a frag tank. I have a 55 gallon tank that I am planning on using. It is much larger than I wanted, but I think I can make it work. This is all in the planning stage so please give me some advice. Since I don't have enough frags to fill the tank I was thinking about using only have the space. The frag rack will be 2 feet long and the first level should be 4" from the top. I have 4 48" t5's that I can use. Could I get by with just using 2 bulbs? I don't want to add a sump so I was thinking about making the other half of the tank a sort of in-tank fuge. I want to put the skimmer and some cheato on the other side. Will the cheato grow on the bottom or should I make a basket and move it up top. I will use power heads for flow. Probably one on each end. The LR will be put under the frag rack. I was hoping that I could get by without a skimmer since the water volume is large. Do you think a 20% water change a week would be enough to skip the skimmer. I plan on adding 1 or 2 fish. Maybe something useful like a dragon pipe or a six line wrasse. Any other thought on how to use the extra space? Could I put my bangaii cardinals on that side and hope they breed? A nursery of some type?
http://i314.photobucket.com/albums/ll412/jc1of2/fragtank1.jpg

[Iplantz]

That sounds like a fine idea. I did something similair with my frag tank, though mine has no frags yet. I divided off half and used it for skimming and pumps. I have a hob fuge on mine though and you could make two chambers, or just have chaeto free floating. I think that 4 T5s would help much more for growth and type of frags you could grow. You could try a custom flow system on your frag tank like mine, and depending where you get you pump, and what kind you have all the flow you need for 20-40$. If you intend to keep sps Id find an average in sump skimmer, and that would help with having fish also. I like your idea of having bangiis in the other side, as sort of a nursury breeding side. Maybe they could live off the pods and various others in the frag that? Sounds great so far. I have some filters, skimmers, and sand if your looking for any in the future too. Picture will come later as I just found that one of my siblings ran off with it. :mad:

[jpond83]

that would be cool