| For many successful reef hobbyists there will come a | | | | zones in a frag tank. This is very important since it's |
| time when the corals have adapted well and exhibit | | | | very easy to overpower a shallow tank. A coral frag |
| good growth. This eventually leads to overcrowding | | | | that was trimmed from a low light area in an |
| and coral trimming well, becomes necessary. This is a | | | | aquarium that is suddenly exposed to 250 watts |
| great chance to recoup the costs of a reef aquarium | | | | under a few inches of water can mean disaster. A |
| and promote aquacultured corals in the reef aquarium | | | | sudden increase in intensity can quickly bleach out a |
| hobby. This hobby often impacts our precious ocean | | | | coral. |
| resources and efforts to minimize negative impacts | | | | High flow is very important in a frag tank because |
| and are always beneficial. | | | | newly trimmed frags will require high flow to prevent |
| A frag tank has a few qualities that differ from a | | | | infection. Furthermore, frag tanks are usually fed |
| typical reef aquarium. First, a frag tank system should | | | | heavily to increase growth rates. For this reason |
| have very minimal rock work in the main tank. Live | | | | good flow will help minimize settling detritus. Like a |
| rock is still necessary for filtration but should be | | | | display aquarium, it is important that the water flow |
| stored in the sump or refugium. The idea is to | | | | is random and multidirectional. Finally, a space should |
| maximize the space for coral frags. This also allows | | | | be set up in the frag system with an area of zero |
| for efficient flow since large objects often obstruct | | | | flow. Many live corals such as Xenia or Mushrooms will |
| flow. | | | | require time to attach to objects after being cut. |
| A frag system should be shallow as possible to | | | | These corals will need an area with nearly no flow for |
| maximize the efficiency of lights and pumps. A good | | | | them to attach. A great place for this is the refugium |
| height range for a frag tank ranges from 8 to 12 | | | | or sump. |
| inches. Frag tanks that are dedicated to strictly SPS | | | | A frag tank doesn't always require a complex and |
| corals may even get away with six inches. If the | | | | expensive equipment. Nano frag tanks are extremely |
| frag tank will house a mixture of coral frags with | | | | popular and can set up quite easily. With enough |
| different lighting requirements then it's best to go | | | | effort and time it's possible to recover the frag tank |
| with 12 inches. | | | | investment. Growing out coral frags is a rewarding |
| It's important to have high, medium to low light | | | | experience and a great way to save our reefs. |