Frag Tank Plump Separate or In Line

FirstContact · 02/14/2017, 09:09 PM

Adding a frag grow out tank to my system in the next three months. Should I run it separately or plumb it to the system? I already have a QT tank for frags.

thegrun · 02/14/2017, 10:12 PM

I prefer to tie the systems together, it adds to stability with the added water volume and since you only need to keep one system's water chemistry in line it is less work. The down side of course is that if something goes wrong it effects both tanks.

ca1ore · 02/14/2017, 11:13 PM

Seconded

billdogg · 02/15/2017, 08:05 AM

I prefer to have it separate from the DT due to the possibility of cross contamination. It will also give you a place to put things if disaster strikes the DT

FirstContact · 02/15/2017, 10:34 AM

Okay, all good points. Still not sure. Separate would be a lot more work but beneficial as a backup system.

roli112 · 02/15/2017, 11:31 AM

together if its just a grow out tank, separate for QT

ca1ore · 02/15/2017, 11:55 AM

You can 'isolate' an in line frag tank with a UV.

FirstContact · 02/15/2017, 01:13 PM

I think I may start with it plumbed to the remaining system in the short term. Having it run separately would increase costs which is always a problem. Can't have everything at once. I don't think I am prepared enough to monitor two separate systems at this point with regards to time and cash flow. I'd be doing twice as many tests and need to duplicate my probes and add separate filtration/sump and have separate ATO and dosing.

FirstContact · 02/15/2017, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ca1ore

You can 'isolate' an in line frag tank with a UV.

What all would UV stop?

ca1ore · 02/15/2017, 02:28 PM

Parasites, bacteria, algae .....

FirstContact · 02/15/2017, 04:54 PM

I'm already running Ozone. Would you still recommend UV on the frag tank? Does it run in-line with the returns on the frag tank?

MMacro · 02/15/2017, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstContact

I'm already running Ozone. Would you still recommend UV on the frag tank? Does it run in-line with the returns on the frag tank?

I wouldn't run UV. IMO/IME its a waste of money and space.
It would not do anything noticable unless it is rather large with a powerful bulb and you are running low flow through it. 'Reef scale' UV sterilizers wont do much of anything against ich, bacteria, algae, etc.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-GncTmZqOIU

ca1ore · 02/15/2017, 05:00 PM

Sorry. Was not clear. If the water feeding your frag tank passes through a UV, it will prevent most cross contamination from the rest of the system. It won't be 100%, but as long as you maintain the UV it will be pretty close. Obviously won't prevent any issue in the frag tank from passing to the rest of the system.

FirstContact · 02/15/2017, 06:42 PM

Okay, something to put on my list and research big and powerful versus reef sized for the hobby.

Something that I can do if not in the immediate future but farther down the road.

Thanks for everyone's help.

02/14/2017, 09:09 PM	#1
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	Frag Tank Plump Separate or In Line Adding a frag grow out tank to my system in the next three months. Should I run it separately or plumb it to the system? I already have a QT tank for frags. __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

02/14/2017, 11:13 PM	#3
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Seconded __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/15/2017, 08:05 AM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I prefer to have it separate from the DT due to the possibility of cross contamination. It will also give you a place to put things if disaster strikes the DT __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

02/15/2017, 10:34 AM	#5
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	Okay, all good points. Still not sure. Separate would be a lot more work but beneficial as a backup system. __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

02/15/2017, 11:31 AM	#6
roli112 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 298	together if its just a grow out tank, separate for QT __________________ 180 gallon mixed reef Current Tank Info: 180g. mix reef

02/14/2017, 10:12 PM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I prefer to tie the systems together, it adds to stability with the added water volume and since you only need to keep one system's water chemistry in line it is less work. The down side of course is that if something goes wrong it effects both tanks.

02/15/2017, 11:55 AM	#7
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	You can 'isolate' an in line frag tank with a UV. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/15/2017, 01:13 PM	#8
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	I think I may start with it plumbed to the remaining system in the short term. Having it run separately would increase costs which is always a problem. Can't have everything at once. I don't think I am prepared enough to monitor two separate systems at this point with regards to time and cash flow. I'd be doing twice as many tests and need to duplicate my probes and add separate filtration/sump and have separate ATO and dosing. __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

02/15/2017, 02:28 PM	#10
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Parasites, bacteria, algae ..... __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/15/2017, 04:54 PM	#11
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	I'm already running Ozone. Would you still recommend UV on the frag tank? Does it run in-line with the returns on the frag tank? __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

02/15/2017, 05:00 PM	#13
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Sorry. Was not clear. If the water feeding your frag tank passes through a UV, it will prevent most cross contamination from the rest of the system. It won't be 100%, but as long as you maintain the UV it will be pretty close. Obviously won't prevent any issue in the frag tank from passing to the rest of the system. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/15/2017, 06:42 PM	#14
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	Okay, something to put on my list and research big and powerful versus reef sized for the hobby. Something that I can do if not in the immediate future but farther down the road. Thanks for everyone's help. __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock