Placing frag plugs directly in sand

pcofdareef · 05/16/2010, 10:52 AM

I have been searching all over the forums and cannot find a definitive answer to this question...... Any info or links would be greatly appreciated!

What would be the drawback to placing frags on fragplugs / discs directly on a 1" sandbed in a frag tank?

I have seen numerous coral / fish stores who place their broken pieces or trimmings directly in the sand for sale but have not seen the longterm effects of doing this since they sell fairly quick.

I am looking to setup a 24" x 18" x 8" deep frag tank which will be connected to my main display / sump. It will be SPS dominant. I would rather not use plastic diffuser since it seems to be a algae magnet. Lighting is adjustable in height so I can change it to accomidate different corals. All of my frags will be mounted to plugs or discs and once they encrust will be sold to a couple of the local reef shops.

pimpinitup6969 · 05/16/2010, 11:44 AM

Why not just go barebottom? I don't see any advantages to going with a 1" sandbed in a frag tank.

pcofdareef · 05/16/2010, 11:57 AM

I am looking to place the frag plugs directly into the sand to hold them up, instead of using eggcrate. The goal is have the least amount of maintenance and little or no nuisance algae.

pcofdareef · 05/16/2010, 12:05 PM

And for reference I will be using plug style mounts like these:

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:v...reef_plugs.jpg

pimpinitup6969 · 05/16/2010, 12:39 PM

I honestly see no problem doing what your talking about. I have always kept frags in the sand bed of my displays with no problem. You could also try getting some of the black egg crate. From what I have heard from a few people they have very little trouble with hair algae when using it. It looks KILLER too.

fishguy597 · 05/17/2010, 11:04 AM

I put ***s on the sand bed all the time with no ill effects on them. When I buy new frags I place them in the sand bed to get used to the light for a few weeks.

Spazdad · 05/17/2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishguy597

I put ***s on the sand bed all the time with no ill effects on them. When I buy new frags I place them in the sand bed to get used to the light for a few weeks.

Exact same here.

sedor · 05/17/2010, 11:47 AM

Only downside to using sand is if you have a any sand sifting fish or critters that might bury them. Also, with sand you have to be a little more careful with your flow so its not blowing the sand around and covering all your frags.

badger126 · 05/17/2010, 12:22 PM

Agreed. Sounds fine. Only problem I've had with sand is my giant mexican turbo snails turning my frags upside down.

pcofdareef · 05/17/2010, 07:05 PM

This is what I had thought.... The good news is I will not have any snails or anything else in the frag tank that my knock them over. I will manually scrub the glass as needed and vacuum the sand to prevent a functional live sand bed to keep it clean and low nutrient and allow the system's sump / fuge to filter it out...

Ryno368 · 05/18/2010, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishguy597

I put ***s on the sand bed all the time with no ill effects on them.

that tickled me a little. no offense anyone.

05/16/2010, 10:52 AM	#1
pcofdareef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 29	Placing frag plugs directly in sand I have been searching all over the forums and cannot find a definitive answer to this question...... Any info or links would be greatly appreciated! What would be the drawback to placing frags on fragplugs / discs directly on a 1" sandbed in a frag tank? I have seen numerous coral / fish stores who place their broken pieces or trimmings directly in the sand for sale but have not seen the longterm effects of doing this since they sell fairly quick. I am looking to setup a 24" x 18" x 8" deep frag tank which will be connected to my main display / sump. It will be SPS dominant. I would rather not use plastic diffuser since it seems to be a algae magnet. Lighting is adjustable in height so I can change it to accomidate different corals. All of my frags will be mounted to plugs or discs and once they encrust will be sold to a couple of the local reef shops.

05/16/2010, 11:44 AM	#2
pimpinitup6969 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Elmira, Ny Posts: 2,503	Why not just go barebottom? I don't see any advantages to going with a 1" sandbed in a frag tank. __________________ I'd rather burp and taste it than fart and waste it! Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon, 150 Gallon

05/16/2010, 12:39 PM	#5
pimpinitup6969 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Elmira, Ny Posts: 2,503	I honestly see no problem doing what your talking about. I have always kept frags in the sand bed of my displays with no problem. You could also try getting some of the black egg crate. From what I have heard from a few people they have very little trouble with hair algae when using it. It looks KILLER too. __________________ I'd rather burp and taste it than fart and waste it! Current Tank Info: 125 Gallon, 150 Gallon

05/17/2010, 11:47 AM	#8
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	Only downside to using sand is if you have a any sand sifting fish or critters that might bury them. Also, with sand you have to be a little more careful with your flow so its not blowing the sand around and covering all your frags. __________________ Ryan

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05/16/2010, 11:57 AM	#3
pcofdareef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 29	I am looking to place the frag plugs directly into the sand to hold them up, instead of using eggcrate. The goal is have the least amount of maintenance and little or no nuisance algae.

05/16/2010, 12:05 PM	#4
pcofdareef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 29	And for reference I will be using plug style mounts like these: http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:v...reef_plugs.jpg

05/17/2010, 11:04 AM	#6
fishguy597 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Minooka Il Posts: 912	I put ***s on the sand bed all the time with no ill effects on them. When I buy new frags I place them in the sand bed to get used to the light for a few weeks.

05/17/2010, 12:22 PM	#9
badger126 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 96	Agreed. Sounds fine. Only problem I've had with sand is my giant mexican turbo snails turning my frags upside down.

05/17/2010, 07:05 PM	#10
pcofdareef Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East Coast, USA Posts: 29	This is what I had thought.... The good news is I will not have any snails or anything else in the frag tank that my knock them over. I will manually scrub the glass as needed and vacuum the sand to prevent a functional live sand bed to keep it clean and low nutrient and allow the system's sump / fuge to filter it out...