Starting a Frag Tank

[ags]

I was thinking of setting up my old 55 gallon tank as a frag tank. Is it necessary to cycle a frag tank? I plan on keeping nothing but coral in the tank.

 

[danedodger]

I'm not completely sure so I go with the better safe than sorry suggestion of cycling it with a piece of raw shrimp and doing a water change once it's completely cycled before trying to add any living thing to it. After all, I assume that you'll be spot feeding your corals at least something which will lead to a rise in ammonia otherwise as the tank does cycle and cycling with corals in the tank would be a nightmare!

 

[elvictre]

If it's a bare bottom tank you can simply fill it with water from you tank at your next water change. This way you don't have to acclimate your frags when you move them over. I would continue to do water changes that way as well. Whatever water you remove from your display move over to the frag tank. I don't know how big your display is, but if you don't change 55 gallons a time you could add fresh mixed salt water.
Vic

 

[mudplayerx]

You most definately need to cycle any marine tank. If you plan on getting metal halide lighting, go with the 10k... it will make your frags grow quickly.

 

[speg]

Yes cycle it. Any ammonia in the tank is going to pwn those corals you add. A 55 gallon is a good choice for a frag tank IMO. Its a good size. I have 4 65 watt pcs over mine... im dying to upgrade to 4 96 watt pcs over it.. the price for that setup is around 500 bucks though.
Metal halide is better if you can get it, but its not necessary. If your frag tank is anything like mine.. you're not in a horrible rush for things to grow. I place mine in the tank and leave them.. when it looks like its time to trade them in.. then I do so.
So far i've probably got $300-$400 store credit for my frags (I havent done it long or fragged much). I get too lazy to frag sometimes... it becomes a chore