Zoo Prop Tank, few questions

reefnewbie54321 · 04/22/2006, 08:57 PM

I have 27 Zoo frags that are only 2-4 polyps each, I want to grow them out to put in my display but its only lit by PC's.

Could I plumb a small 10 Gallon Prop Tank to grow them out to around 10-15 polyps a piece?

What do you suggest for light (only answer this if you prop Zoos becuase many people think Zoos dont need much light)?

I was thinking a 175w Halide or maybe use my 70w Halide?

How tall should the tank be (the shorter the better)
and how close can I mount the eggcrate to the lights? I dont want to bleach them but what I have seen from all my friends (that prop zoo's) the more light the better (except for a select few that can be placed in lower section of the eggecrate when bleaching signs are seen).?

I was thinking 8" maybe 12" and mount them around 3"-4" away from the lights.

What do you think for a closed loop turnover?
As for this I realy havnt put much thought into so dont have any idea what I'm going to use for flow, most likely a small closed loop with a spray bar. (I hate powerheads!)

Thanks for any input

sammy33 · 04/22/2006, 09:34 PM

Most of the fast growing zoanthids I have seen have been in a display with metal halide/vho lighting. One tank in particular (125g) has four 250w hqi 10K lamps and a pair of 72" super actinic vho's. This guy actually complains about his zoa's growing so fast and is reluctant to frag them because of the palytoxin stories.

I would consider the 70w hqi with a couple of 36w actinic 03 for the fastest growth and best color on your 10g.

Calfo suggest "intense daylight colored lamps from 6500k to 10000k".

reefnewbie54321 · 04/23/2006, 07:13 AM

Thanks for your input, I think I am going to use a 70w hqi hood plan I saw on the nano forums.

Anyone have suggestions on the height of the tank/distance the frag rack should be placed from the lights?

yetti · 04/23/2006, 08:12 AM

Not for nothing, but I'm getting crazy growth out my T5s in my prop tank. Size has increased and speed of multiplication. I run 10K and acintics.

reefnewbie54321 · 04/23/2006, 08:19 AM

I'm not saying that anything lower then MH isnt going to work I just think the more light the better (to some extent). I run PC's and still get growth (some what slow) but when compared to my freinds Zoo tank with MH's my growth is nothing.

I just want to grow out my mini-frags that I got into a decent sized frag so I can put it in my display. I figure if I use MH's everything will just get done alot faster.

yetti · 04/23/2006, 08:24 AM

Understand completely, but the PAR ratings of my T5s are pretty close to that of MH. I don't want to get into a debate, but when you look at power consumption, heat and initial cost? It brings a lot of things into play to think about.

reefnewbie54321 · 04/23/2006, 10:48 AM

Initial cost wouldnt be a factor becuase I'm just going to mod my moms bf's broken down nano. And I kinda like the heat ... I dont want to run my heaters all day long and my PC setup produces almost no heat.

I realy havnt looked into t5's or all the huge debate threads, maybe I should. The T5 retro kits are pretty pricey though and I dont know how to DIY. I set up a DIY 250w Halide (reflector, bulbs, socket ect.) for just under 100$ ... cheaper then any retro kit Ive seen for T5's

sammy33 · 04/23/2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by reefnewbie54321

I realy havnt looked into t5's or all the huge debate threads, maybe I should. The T5 retro kits are pretty pricey though and I dont know how to DIY. I set up a DIY 250w Halide (reflector, bulbs, socket ect.) for just under 100$ ... cheaper then any retro kit Ive seen for T5's

After some reading and checking out a few T5 tanks - T5's are my choice so far for propagation. If you use a slightly larger tank with a 24" length you can use the 24w HO retros. The GE 6500K with a Giesmann actinic would seem to provide the intensity for growth and coloration.

A two lamp 24" T5 HO retro with good reflectors is about $150.00. While this is more than the initial cost of the 250W halide you mention think of the long term energy savings? 48W vs. 250W?

I am wondering how the PAR stacks up? I know that some of the larger T5's are in the same range as some of the MH setups according to some hobbyists. I have not found direct comparison data on T5 vs Halide. I would like to see someone like Sanjay do some T5 test like he does with the Halides.

reefnewbie54321 · 04/23/2006, 12:12 PM

I wouldnt use a 250w for a 10g prop tank

I was just saying if you DIY it can be less then a 100.00, I cant find any plans for a T5 setup or a retrofit kit for less then 150.00

I would use a 70w Halide, the setup cost my about 100.00 (when it was built for my moms bf's nano).

But I still have some more researching to do becuase since my tank height is so short I will have more surface area and a 70w Halide isnt going to cover it.

04/22/2006, 08:57 PM	#1
reefnewbie54321 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 1,263	Zoo Prop Tank, few questions I have 27 Zoo frags that are only 2-4 polyps each, I want to grow them out to put in my display but its only lit by PC's. Could I plumb a small 10 Gallon Prop Tank to grow them out to around 10-15 polyps a piece? What do you suggest for light (only answer this if you prop Zoos becuase many people think Zoos dont need much light)? I was thinking a 175w Halide or maybe use my 70w Halide? How tall should the tank be (the shorter the better) and how close can I mount the eggcrate to the lights? I dont want to bleach them but what I have seen from all my friends (that prop zoo's) the more light the better (except for a select few that can be placed in lower section of the eggecrate when bleaching signs are seen).? I was thinking 8" maybe 12" and mount them around 3"-4" away from the lights. What do you think for a closed loop turnover? As for this I realy havnt put much thought into so dont have any idea what I'm going to use for flow, most likely a small closed loop with a spray bar. (I hate powerheads!) Thanks for any input

04/22/2006, 09:34 PM	#2
sammy33 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 346	Most of the fast growing zoanthids I have seen have been in a display with metal halide/vho lighting. One tank in particular (125g) has four 250w hqi 10K lamps and a pair of 72" super actinic vho's. This guy actually complains about his zoa's growing so fast and is reluctant to frag them because of the palytoxin stories. I would consider the 70w hqi with a couple of 36w actinic 03 for the fastest growth and best color on your 10g. Calfo suggest "intense daylight colored lamps from 6500k to 10000k". __________________ Sam Current Tank Info: 125g Reef (TEK/IceCap T5 & TLP LEDs, Tunze 6055/Controller, Reef Octopus NWB200, ReefDoser Quad)

04/23/2006, 08:12 AM	#4
yetti Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Front Royal, VA Posts: 183	Not for nothing, but I'm getting crazy growth out my T5s in my prop tank. Size has increased and speed of multiplication. I run 10K and acintics. __________________ Our New Tank Site is Up!!! Feel free to check it out.... Current Tank Info: 30g Mixed Reef, 150g Mixed Reef, 25g frag tank

04/23/2006, 07:13 AM	#3
reefnewbie54321 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 1,263	Thanks for your input, I think I am going to use a 70w hqi hood plan I saw on the nano forums. Anyone have suggestions on the height of the tank/distance the frag rack should be placed from the lights?

04/23/2006, 08:19 AM	#5
reefnewbie54321 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 1,263	I'm not saying that anything lower then MH isnt going to work I just think the more light the better (to some extent). I run PC's and still get growth (some what slow) but when compared to my freinds Zoo tank with MH's my growth is nothing. I just want to grow out my mini-frags that I got into a decent sized frag so I can put it in my display. I figure if I use MH's everything will just get done alot faster.

04/23/2006, 08:24 AM	#6
yetti Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Front Royal, VA Posts: 183	Understand completely, but the PAR ratings of my T5s are pretty close to that of MH. I don't want to get into a debate, but when you look at power consumption, heat and initial cost? It brings a lot of things into play to think about.

04/23/2006, 10:48 AM	#7
reefnewbie54321 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 1,263	Initial cost wouldnt be a factor becuase I'm just going to mod my moms bf's broken down nano. And I kinda like the heat ... I dont want to run my heaters all day long and my PC setup produces almost no heat. I realy havnt looked into t5's or all the huge debate threads, maybe I should. The T5 retro kits are pretty pricey though and I dont know how to DIY. I set up a DIY 250w Halide (reflector, bulbs, socket ect.) for just under 100$ ... cheaper then any retro kit Ive seen for T5's

04/23/2006, 12:12 PM	#9
reefnewbie54321 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 1,263	I wouldnt use a 250w for a 10g prop tank I was just saying if you DIY it can be less then a 100.00, I cant find any plans for a T5 setup or a retrofit kit for less then 150.00 I would use a 70w Halide, the setup cost my about 100.00 (when it was built for my moms bf's nano). But I still have some more researching to do becuase since my tank height is so short I will have more surface area and a 70w Halide isnt going to cover it.