Thoughts On A 29 Gallon Observation/Frag Tank?

[Fish Fan]

Hey all!

I spent the last several days baking in the hot sun while pressure washing our deck, so I apologize in advance if this post is a little disjointed ;-) This is largely just me thinking out loud, so to speak, but I'd welcome any feedback or thoughts you guys may have.

I'm posting here because I want an LPS dominant tank as my "main" display tank, with maybe some easier SPS, but pretty much no softies or stubborn acros or montis.

I am currently running a 10 gallon N. wennerae Mantis tank and a 15 gallon "main tank" for saltwater, but I plan on upgrading the 15 gallon to at least a 40-60 gallon, and possibly as large as a 90 gallon in the near future, though definitely no larger; I just don't have the space. These two small tanks were started in October of 2023, and before this my last reef or saltwater tanks were a good 15 years ago.

Right or wrong, I've come to a place in this hobby where I'm seriously embracing the idea of quarantining everything "wet", including fish, corals, and motile inverts like snails, crabs, and shrimp. To this end, I currently have three 10 gallon tanks running - one for a medicated fish quarantine that I keep more than 15 feet from any other tank to prevent cross-contamination of parasites via airborne, aerosolized water droplets. I follow the R2R medicated fish quarantine procedure found here. Additionally, I have a 10 gallon for motile inverts, and a 10 gallon for corals where I hope to house new additions for a period of time from about 45-90 days to ensure any (at least the majority) of potential fish parasites die off in the absence of fish.

My fish QT tank and my motile invert tank are working out well for my goals, but my humble coral observation tank is not doing so well. All tanks, including the coral tank, are driven by an AquaClear/Fluval 70 HOB, with a heater and not much else. The coral tank is lit by a single Kessil A360we, which I also have on my "main" 15 gallon tank, and I'm lighting my 10 gallon with a Kessil A160. I love the Kessil shimmer, and I am trying to keep the light on my coral observation tank basically the same as what's on my display tank. But the coral tank is seeing high nutrients and is becoming an algae farm, and I've lost a couple of frags in this tank, which is totally the opposite of what I'm hoping to do. I want something larger with a sump and a refugium.

So long winded I know, but I started to think I need a larger and certainly better system for my coral observation tank. I went to my local PetCo today to purchase a 40 breeder to turn into a frag/observation tank, but in the 20 or so minutes it took me to drive to the store I talked myself out of a 40 gallon. I just feel like it's too large for our house, and my wife (who loves our tanks) is getting a little upset with me having all these various QT tanks just to support one or two display tanks. I ended up buying a 29 gallon for my corals, and a 20L to use as a sump under it. I went with the 29 for the corals vs. a 20L because I thought the additional height would be good if I want to run a gyre. I also thought if I really do need more room in the future, it would be pretty easy to take the overflow and returns off this 29 and upgrade to a 40 breeder.

Does anyone think going with a 29 gallon is a bad idea for a small coral observation/frag tank? The 13" from front to back has me a bit worried, but I really think this is all the real estate I will need. I'm not looking to propagate heavily or for sale/trade, I'm just looking to house some coral for 2 or 3 months to minimize potential fish parasites from entering my display tank.

I have a Synergy Shadow 16", 3 bulkhead (BeanAnimal style) overflow new-in-box that I bought like 5 years ago. I think it's their version 2 and now they are up to a version 3. My plan is to use this on my 29 gallon, does anyone think this is a bad idea? Either because the Shadow overflow V2 isn't that good, or because it doesn't work well on standard, "rimmed" tanks, like my Aqueon 29?

I know A LOT, if not most, reefers like to keep fish in their frag tanks because fish poo is good eats for corals. I specifically do not want fish in this tank as I'm trying to starve out any fish parasites, rare though they may be. Am I crazy to run a tank like this without a fish or two? The corals only have to be in here for at most like 60 or 90 days, and I plan on feeding them with coral food. And again, mostly LPS with some easier SPS is my plan.

Last, I'm thinking if I do this coral tank, could I plumb in a 10 gallon as a 'fuge and use this 'fuge as my holding tank for motile inverts? This way I can keep the corals and inverts fallow, but also keep motile inverts separate from the corals in case the former decide to nip or go after the corals. And, I can minimize my overall setup, which would make both me and my dear wife happier

My basic setup would be:
Aqueon 29 gallon tank, bare bottom, but with dry rock > I'd go to a 40 breeder if suggested
Synergy Shadow 16" V2 overflow > I'd get an Eshopps S or M or similar if suggested
1 Kessil A360we, but I'd add a second soon; same lighting as what's on my DT.
Reef Octopus Varios 2 DC return pump
Flow, I'm not sure, but I do have a couple VorTech MP10's; gyre's considered; what do you guys think???
I'm planning a large refugium lit by a Kessil A80 Tuna Sun, but if needed I have a Bubble Magus Curve 5 skimmer I can add
For a sump, I have a FijiCube sump new-in-box, but I picked up a 20L today and may make that my sump

What do you guys think? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[TX_REEF]

I'd go with the 40 breeder if space allows, it seems like all your equipment will translate just fine. I'm a big fan of higher surface area for coral frag systems, just wat easier to work in. I love my 50 lowboy frag tank, way easier to maintain than my red sea reefer 350 display.

 

[Fish Fan]

Thank you for the reply! I'm honestly just not sure I have the room for a 40 breeder, but I do agree it would make for a better frag tank. In the interest of my marriage, I think I may start with the 29 and see how it goes. Worst thing is I may have to scrap the 29 and upgrade to the 40 in the future if I run out of real estate. Thanks again for your input and suggestion!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Couple things to consider. 1st of all, you do you. What ever make the most sense to you, try it out, nothing is permanent. You can get a million different answers on here of what worked for other people or "I heard from Joe that he knew a guy that knew a guy so I am never going to do that...." Second, you have to think of your display as your canvas. But there is a lot of behind the scenes activities to make that display work. Many successful reef tanks, their "behind the scenes" is bigger than what most see. If you are going to be a success in reefing you corals will grow, and you will need a place to put the trimmings, whether to sell or give away. So have a thought for the future so you are not spending twice.
As far as the overflow, use what you have or just drill a couple holes in the tank and use PVC.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Also, if i was going to just do a frag tank from scratch, I might look into a zoomed turtle tank, you would have more surface area but not the unused water volume.

 

[Fish Fan]

Couple things to consider. 1st of all, you do you. What ever make the most sense to you, try it out, nothing is permanent. You can get a million different answers on here of what worked for other people or "I heard from Joe that he knew a guy that knew a guy so I am never going to do that...." Second, you have to think of your display as your canvas. But there is a lot of behind the scenes activities to make that display work. Many successful reef tanks, there "behind the scenes" is bigger than what most see. If you are going to be a success in reefing you corals will grow, and you will need a place to put the trimmings whether to sell or give away. So have a thought for the future so you are not spending twice.
As far as the overflow, use what you have or just drill a couple holes in the tank and use PVC.

Thank you very much for your reply! I agree that behind some of the best reef tanks I've seen there's A LOT going on, from QT tanks to water change stations to phytoplankton culture stations, etc. I have zero problem with this kind of stuff filling many of the rooms in my house, but my dear wife - who really does love our tanks - is requesting that I keep at least one room in the house aquarium free lol!

I am trying to consider what my display tank goals are, and accommodate that. But I think at this point, starting with the 29 gallon tank is my best option. If in the future if I fill that tank and really need a 40 gallon, that's a much easier conversation to have with the wife at that point.

Thank you again for your reply!

 

[Fish Fan]

Also, if i was going to just do a frag tank from scratch, I might look into a zoomed turtle tank, you would have more surface area but not the unused water volume.

I've seen these, I think ZooMed even has one listed specifically as a "low-boy" frag tank. They have the same foot print as the 40 breeder, but not as much height. I understand that many who run a frag tank like the low water lever as it saves, well..... water. But, I've also read where those that embrace the gyre style of flow pumps need a little more "head room" above the corals. And, with the same footprint as a 40 breeder, the cheapskate in me says just use a 40 breeder. A 40 breeder on sale at PetCo with their 50% off sale is currently about $65. The ZooMed tank is a good $160 plus shipping, I believe. I could just about get three 40 breeders for the price of the one "low-boy" frag tank.

Also, if I really do outgrow this 29 gallon, and it's just overflowing with coral frags, I may want to upgrade to something about 40 gallons, but a nice, rimless tank. Make it something like a "display frag tank".

So unless someone else has something really, really compelling to add, I think I'm sold on starting out with a 29 gallon for this project. It just seems like the worst case is that I have to scrap a drilled 29 that cost me about $35, and replace it with a $65 dollar 40 breeder. All my other gear should scale up to the 40, and again, if I can show my wife an overflowing 29 gallon full of corals, upgrading to a 40 would be a no brainer at that point.

I would very much appreciate any further thoughts, suggestions, or ideas for this build. I really appreciate the help!

Thank you all!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Thank you very much for your reply! I agree that behind some of the best reef tanks I've seen there's A LOT going on, from QT tanks to water change stations to phytoplankton culture stations, etc. I have zero problem with this kind of stuff filling many of the rooms in my house, but my dear wife - who really does love our tanks - is requesting that I keep at least one room in the house aquarium free lol!

I am trying to consider what my display tank goals are, and accommodate that. But I think at this point, starting with the 29 gallon tank is my best option. If in the future if I fill that tank and really need a 40 gallon, that's a much easier conversation to have with the wife at that point.

Thank you again for your reply!

Like I said, "You do You!" Make it work for your goals and your very considerate wife. (Believe me I know...)
When it comes to the "how to" part I will do my best in my guidance, as I am sure many experienced reefers on here can also help.

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

I've seen these, I think ZooMed even has one listed specifically as a "low-boy" frag tank. They have the same foot print as the 40 breeder, but not as much height. I understand that many who run a frag tank like the lowel water lever as it saves, well..... water. But, I've also read where those that embrace the gyre style of flow pumps need a little more "head room" above the corals. And, with the same footprint as a 40 breeder, the cheapskate in me says just use a 40 breeder. A 40 breeder on sale at PetCo with their 50% off sale is currently about $65. The ZooMed tank is a good $160 plus shipping, I believe. I could just about get three 40 breeders for the price of the one "low-boy" frag tank.

Also, if I really do outgrow this 29 gallon, and it's just overflowing with coral frags, I may want to upgrade to something about 40 gallons, but a nice, rimless tank. Make it something like a "display frag tank".

So unless someone else has something really, really compelling to add, I think I'm sold on starting out with a 29 gallon for this project. It just seems like the worst case is that I have to scrap a drilled 29 that cost me about $35, and replace it with a $65 dollar 40 breeder. All my other gear should scale up to the 40, and again, if I can show my wife an overflowing 29 gallon full of corals, upgrading to a 40 would be a no brainer at that point.

I would very much appreciate any further thoughts, suggestions, or ideas for this build. I really appreciate the help!

Thank you all!

Sounds like a good plan!

 

[Fish Fan]

Like I said, "You do You!" Make it work for your goals and your very considerate wife. (Believe me I know...)
When it comes to the "how to" part I will do my best in my guidance, as I am sure many experienced reefers on here can also help.

Of course! That's why I posted this thread in the first place, I know all of you guys will help get me focused and on the right track. I really do appreciate your help and comments here, thanks again!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

This is my frag tank I just built from an AIO 25g IM. A majority of my tanks fit the same 24x19 foot print, so this worked for my studio.

 

[Fish Fan]

This is my frag tank I just built from an AIO 25g IM. A majority of my tanks fit the same 24x19 foot print, so this worked for my studio.

Nice setup, and thank you for sharing the pic!

But I'm not understanding, you said this was an AIO, but clearly you have an overflow, returns and a sump??

Do you feel that the 25 gallon is large enough for your needs? Did I miss how large your DT is?

Thanks again!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

Nice setup, and thank you for sharing the pic!

But I'm not understanding, you said this was an AIO, but clearly you have an overflow, returns and a sump??

Do you feel that the 25 gallon is large enough for your needs? Did I miss how large your DT is?

Thanks again!

This will be in a future post of the "The Aquarium that nobody wanted". so hush... I ripped out the AIO part and replaced the rear glass with thing a bit thicker. My DT sps is the same foot print 24x29 which is about 40g+ sump. Ok, I will throw in a pic but it is a disaster area.

 

[Fish Fan]

Thank you for sharing your pics - looks cleaner than my house lol!