Fish in a frag tank?

jharding08 · 06/18/2015, 09:51 AM

I recently moved my Yellow Eye Kole Tang from my 36"x12"x12" frag tank to the main display. He was there because when I got him, he was smaller than the misbar oceallaris clown and the flame angel and they picked on him.

He was able to eat his way to a bigger size where he no longer fits in the frag tank and is bigger than the clown and the angel now. He isnt getting picked on anymore, so looks like he has a new home.

My question is - Is it beneficial to have a fish or two (or more) in a frag tank?

My frag tank has a sump with live rock and skimmer. The tank is bare bottom with just egg crate for the rack.

I fed the tank when the YE kole tang was in there pretty well, and there was some algae. P04 was about .12 and N03 at 0.0. Now that he is out and I dont feed it, I should see it go down, but is untraceable nutrients the best for a frag tank?

Would a mated pair of clownfish work in a frag tank?

XtremeFromHell · 06/18/2015, 10:00 AM

I dont see why not, the fish waste would help feed the water column. I'm only guessing though.

Dmorty217 · 06/18/2015, 10:08 AM

Fish waste= coral food, plus depending on the fish can help with algae

jharding08 · 06/18/2015, 10:15 AM

Any suggestions on what kind of fish for a 36"x12"x12" tank that will have LPS, SPS frags?

Can i breed fish in a frag tank?

KSU_WILDCAT · 06/18/2015, 10:37 AM

My plan is to try some mollies in mine. Peaceful and good algea eaters (from what I hear.)

jharding08 · 06/18/2015, 11:11 AM

I was thinking some black ocellaris or black snowflake or black ice snowflake mated pair

coralsnaked · 06/18/2015, 11:17 AM

With a fish(s) in a frag only tank you are tied into the amount of food the fish requires as far as loading up the filtration. I always keep mine fishless and feed the coral big time at night and then skim hard all day. Keeps everything in check as you can easily adjust the import or export of nutrients and not worry with the health of the fish.

d2mini · 06/18/2015, 11:25 AM

Two clowns and a rabbitfish in mine.
The rabbitfish helps with algae control.

jharding08 · 06/18/2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d2mini

Two clowns and a rabbitfish in mine.
The rabbitfish helps with algae control.

Do you have torches or hammers or frogspawn or anemones in the frag for the clowns?

anbosu · 06/18/2015, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jharding08

I was thinking some black ocellaris or black snowflake or black ice snowflake mated pair

I have a black snowflake pair in mine.

d2mini · 06/18/2015, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jharding08

Do you have torches or hammers or frogspawn or anemones in the frag for the clowns?

sometimes i have a frogspawn frag or two.
Doesn't matter if I don't though.

ca1ore · 06/18/2015, 11:55 AM

Fish in a frag tank opens you up to the possibility of those frags becoming 'carriers' for ich. Just something to consider.

Wazzel · 06/18/2015, 12:24 PM

If I had a stand alone frag tank I would have fish in it. My frag tank is tied to my display so it is fishless.

solitude127 · 06/18/2015, 12:34 PM

Why not another small Kole tang? When it gets too big, maybe sell to another local reefer or exchange it for credit at a LFS.

billdogg · 06/18/2015, 12:53 PM

Three green chromis and a YWG in mine

toothybugs · 06/18/2015, 01:44 PM

I like the idea of a 6-line to pick off little critters, if any.

nuxx · 06/18/2015, 03:09 PM

Looking at adding a small Achilles and a wrasse to our frag tank (60x36x16").

Basically want the Achilles to pick at algae and also act as a canary for anything that comes in on coral. Wrasse to eat bad stuff.

If the tang shows signs of disease, I'll QT it and then let the frag tank sit fallow until I feel it's time to add the fish again and see if everything is good to go.

06/18/2015, 09:51 AM	#1
jharding08 BlueWorldAquatics.com Join Date: May 2012 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 657	Fish in a frag tank? I recently moved my Yellow Eye Kole Tang from my 36"x12"x12" frag tank to the main display. He was there because when I got him, he was smaller than the misbar oceallaris clown and the flame angel and they picked on him. He was able to eat his way to a bigger size where he no longer fits in the frag tank and is bigger than the clown and the angel now. He isnt getting picked on anymore, so looks like he has a new home. My question is - Is it beneficial to have a fish or two (or more) in a frag tank? My frag tank has a sump with live rock and skimmer. The tank is bare bottom with just egg crate for the rack. I fed the tank when the YE kole tang was in there pretty well, and there was some algae. P04 was about .12 and N03 at 0.0. Now that he is out and I dont feed it, I should see it go down, but is untraceable nutrients the best for a frag tank? Would a mated pair of clownfish work in a frag tank? __________________ Stats: 180 g Mixed SPS/LPS reef tank, 30 gallon sump, live rock, GFO\Carbon, AquaMaxx AM250 in-sump skimmer, felt filter socks, cleaning crew

06/18/2015, 10:08 AM	#3
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Fish waste= coral food, plus depending on the fish can help with algae __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

06/18/2015, 10:15 AM	#4
jharding08 BlueWorldAquatics.com Join Date: May 2012 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 657	Any suggestions on what kind of fish for a 36"x12"x12" tank that will have LPS, SPS frags? Can i breed fish in a frag tank? __________________ Stats: 180 g Mixed SPS/LPS reef tank, 30 gallon sump, live rock, GFO\Carbon, AquaMaxx AM250 in-sump skimmer, felt filter socks, cleaning crew

06/18/2015, 10:37 AM	#5
KSU_WILDCAT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 89	My plan is to try some mollies in mine. Peaceful and good algea eaters (from what I hear.) __________________ Justin 220 DSA, Reef Octopus Skimmer, 3 Radion Gen 2, RW-15, APEX Current Tank Info: 220 DSA, Reef Octopus Skimmer, Radion Gen 2, APEX, and all the other bells and Whistles

06/18/2015, 11:11 AM	#6
jharding08 BlueWorldAquatics.com Join Date: May 2012 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 657	I was thinking some black ocellaris or black snowflake or black ice snowflake mated pair __________________ Stats: 180 g Mixed SPS/LPS reef tank, 30 gallon sump, live rock, GFO\Carbon, AquaMaxx AM250 in-sump skimmer, felt filter socks, cleaning crew

06/18/2015, 10:00 AM	#2
XtremeFromHell Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Miami, FL (hialeah area) Posts: 735	I dont see why not, the fish waste would help feed the water column. I'm only guessing though.

06/18/2015, 11:17 AM	#7
coralsnaked Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Austin / Port Aransas, TX Posts: 1,479	With a fish(s) in a frag only tank you are tied into the amount of food the fish requires as far as loading up the filtration. I always keep mine fishless and feed the coral big time at night and then skim hard all day. Keeps everything in check as you can easily adjust the import or export of nutrients and not worry with the health of the fish. __________________ Merry Skerry Current Tank Info: 1 G Nano jellyfish to 1200 G Bull Nose FOWLR featuring large Holacanthus and Pomacanthus

06/18/2015, 11:25 AM	#8
d2mini Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 10,344	Two clowns and a rabbitfish in mine. The rabbitfish helps with algae control. __________________ -dennis Elos Diamond 120xl \| Elos Stand \| Radion G4 Pros \| GHL Profilux Controller \| LifeReef Skimmer \| LifeReef Sump Photos taken with a Nikon D750 or Leica M.

06/18/2015, 11:55 AM	#12
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Fish in a frag tank opens you up to the possibility of those frags becoming 'carriers' for ich. Just something to consider. __________________ 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

06/18/2015, 12:24 PM	#13
Wazzel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 4,743	If I had a stand alone frag tank I would have fish in it. My frag tank is tied to my display so it is fishless. __________________ Mark Beware the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes it's a train. Current Tank Info: 120, LED, Bare Bottom, SPS/LPS

06/18/2015, 12:34 PM	#14
solitude127 Proud user of IO Salt! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 9,136	Why not another small Kole tang? When it gets too big, maybe sell to another local reefer or exchange it for credit at a LFS. __________________ Mike <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ <)))>{ ReefKeeping.com TOTM Nov 2012 Socalireefs Featured Reef Oct 2011 Current Tank Info: 603020, 8x54 ATI Powermodule, ReefBrite XHO, ATB Elegance 200, Aquamaxx CTech CaRx, Ecotech Vortechs, Apex Controls, WM Ecobak powered. RedSea Reefer 170, MP10, Apex Jr, Ecotech Radion XR15, Aquamaxx WS-1

06/18/2015, 12:53 PM	#15
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	Three green chromis and a YWG in mine __________________ 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

06/18/2015, 01:44 PM	#16
toothybugs In Memoriam Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: The smallest county in Illinois Posts: 1,986	I like the idea of a 6-line to pick off little critters, if any.

06/18/2015, 03:09 PM	#17
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	Looking at adding a small Achilles and a wrasse to our frag tank (60x36x16"). Basically want the Achilles to pick at algae and also act as a canary for anything that comes in on coral. Wrasse to eat bad stuff. If the tang shows signs of disease, I'll QT it and then let the frag tank sit fallow until I feel it's time to add the fish again and see if everything is good to go. __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")