frag tank question/help??

[jrthomas40]

well since we dont have a frag tank forum...i didnt know where else to post this so here it goes....im not so sure i have enough filtration on my frag tank so i was thinking about a few options 1)put some live sand in it 2) add some crushed live rock to the bio balls already in the sump 3) add a HOB filter 4) other suggestions welcome

 

[coraljunky]

What do you currently have for means of filtration, mechanical/biological??

 

[jrthomas40]

old seaclone, 20g sump with about 50+ bioballs and a hand full of rock chips i use for frag plugs...that is all...

 

[flricordia]

Yo should look into turning the sumpo into a fuge and you can keep the LS down there along with chaeto. And if enough room LR. Get rid of the bioballs. Replace a handfull each week with LR.

 

[jrthomas40]

i started out making my sump for a fuge cuz i was thinking since it was a bare bottom i could get away with not having to run another light for the chaeto but was told otherwise so i went against the fuge....i have thought about filling the sump pretty high up with LR

 

[jrthomas40]

any other ideas??

 

[rldavisou]

I would say a fuge would be a good way to go.
However, what specific problems are you looking to solve?

 

[jrthomas40]

not really having any problems other than a green algae bloom making my water green...so i figured it was because of not enough frags to use up all the nutrients and not enough micro life to also help use it up

 

[mr_x]

maybe look into growing out some really interesting and exotic macroalgae right in the frag tank. something beautiful, but manageable. that would use up some nutrients, and you could sell the overgrowth.

 

[jrthomas40]

hmm...never thought of that...what if i make an "in tank" fuge...how can i design one to go

the power head in the back is on the side

 

[mr_x]

Originally Posted by jrthomas40
http:///forum/post/2664348
hmm...never thought of that...what if i make an "in tank" fuge...how can i design one to go

the power head in the back is on the side
well, depending on the macroalgae you choose, you could just build an eggcrate box and put it in that. i guess the only issue would be the macros overgrowing the box and reaching the coral plugs, and pieces of rock the corals are attached to.
i have some Botryocladia sp. growing freely in my frag tank, and it's not invasive. i'll eventually sell it to people who would like to have an attractive refugium.
another good idea would be mangroves. their nutrient export qualities aren't as good as some, but they will most certainly stay put. i would just put some sand in a small container, and plant the stalk in that, and sit that on the tank bottom.