Setting up a frag tank

[Zack]

Here in a few months I'll be setting up a small frag tank and I'm wondering how different it is than setting up an actual tank.
Does the tank need to cycle? What are the water changes like if there is only corals + no feedings? Is there an advantage of sand vs no sand? I've heard some people say that their corals color up better with sand. If I'm doing zoas+ LPS should I be going low flow, or the highest flow possible? Whats the most beneficial photo period?

[allan]

Are you linking it with your existing tank?

[Zack]

I'm considering doing that but I have no idea how that would work, plus I would want to keep any disease/ parasite isolated in the event that anything happened. So for now, lets say setup as it's own system.

[350gt]

I had mine up in running in a couple of weeks.... With rubble and a
little rock from my sons aquapod. Water was from my display tank but dont know if that helped any...

[reefreak]

How big of a tank are you thinking

[Zack]

Pretty small, 5 gallons. Just to grow out some frags and maybe make some side cash

[allan]

5 gallons? So you're gonna want to use it as a quarantine tank? Is it big enough to use as a QT?

Separate you will new another system almost complete.

If you tie it to your existing system proximity is key. Small pump to feed. A return overflow... And you're done. Just add lights.

You could also mod a section in your sump for grow out.

Remember that fragging can be harsh on the coral. Putting them immediately into another system adds to the stress. But it the two are linked...

[Zack]

I want to use it both as a quarantine for corals and a grow out tank for frags. I do not plan to have a fish in the tank just a hob filter, a heater, a rkl, and a small led setup, and a few egg crate racks.

[reefreak]

What lighting will you go with?

[Zack]

Thinking a small 5 led fixture, 1 5w neutral white, 2x blue, 2x royal blue. Also seriously considering just adding a nice egg crate frag rack to my display.. Allan made a good point about shocking new cut frags.