Got A Prop Tank!!!!!!!!!

DennisW · 07-21-2001, 04:44 PM

Well I finely did it! I set up a tiny tiny 10 gallon prop tank. I want to run my setup and plans by all of you. First of all, its a 10gallon AGA. I put about a 3" sandbed in the bottom. I also added 3lbs of live rock. This is all I could fit because I also made a two tier shelf system which spans the legnth of the tank. I made it out of egg crate for lights. Looks great!

I also have a 3' dual strip light. I am running one sylvania (looks 10k!) and one trichromatic. I set it over the top of the 10g, so there is like 6" or so of overhang on either side. My wife hates how it looks so it was banished to the garage!

Is there any other equipment you can think of? I am going to dose the tank with Restore 2 part additive. I plan on doing weekly water changes of like 2 gallons. I have the lights on a 12 hour timer (should this be increased?).

I have a 2 and 1/2 year old 100g reef tank. Stuff is kinda overgrown and could use a trimming greatly! Mostly softies (leathers, shrooms, etc) but I do have a branching hammer which needs a couple heads removed. I also plan on proping some xenia (umbrella and elongata).

Oh also...I used 3 different sizes of pure aragonite sand on the bottom (partials of what I had around!) So what do you think? Any suggestions? I seeded the bed with about 1.5lbs of sand from Alices old 55g (Thanks Alice!). How long should I let it cycle? I also want to add that this is a very very very LOW BUDGET venture! I have $38 in it so far!.

I also have a question about proping corals in the main tank. Most of the corals are attached to the rock and the rock is too vital or too large to remove. I do run carbon 24/7. Which corals, if any in your opinion, release too much toxins when cut? I heard palythoa polyps and leathers and xenia do. What are the effects of this on the main tank??????

Sorry so long!!!!!
TIA!
Dennis

Alice · 07-22-2001, 02:26 AM

Cool Dennis; you've got a lot of nice corals in your display to prop. LOL on the garage; you got the 125 outta there only to start filling it up with reef stuff again

What are you using for filtration/water movement in the 10 gallon? You'll more than likely want to run carbon in there too. If you use a HOT Whisper or Penguin filter like on my nano you can put a bag of carbon in there in place of the filter media that comes with the unit.

As for cutting in-tank, do as much out of the tank as possible, obvioiusly. You've hit the biggies on toxicity, I can't remember now what else specifically you have in your tank that might be a real problem. If it were me and I had to prop in tank, I'd do several at once, get extra current going to direct excess mucus to the overflow and do a water change. That and running carbon like you do ought to suffice. Watch for signs of bacterial infection on the corals in-tank, if you see any necrosis and the coral is difficult to remove you can cut the pumps and add a couple of drops of Lugol's via dropper or syringe right over the affected coral. It's not the best method but it does help.

Have fun!

~Alice

Drew · 07-22-2001, 02:34 AM

Hey Dennis!

Good to hear about more and more people are into propagation. I have a 55 sitting around thats just begging to be turned into a prop tank.
The lights you have may be enough, what kind of lighting will the corals be coming from? If the LR/LS wasn't out of the tank very long you may not have any cycle at all. But I don't know how long it should break in before adding something, anybody? One thing you don't have listed it circulation, a PH or two should do fine in a 10 gal. Also, remember that this is a much smaller tank than you are used too, and is less forgiving if you screw up. As for cutting corals in the main tank, I wouldn't do it. If it is at all possible take it out, cut, and then leave it in a container of tank water for a few moments to let it release it slime and all that before putting it back in the tank. If any corals are bothered it should only be temporary, and with good circulation, good simming, and a little carbon it shouldn't be a problem.

Drew

DennisW · 07-22-2001, 10:14 AM

Thanks for the responses!!!! I posted the same exact post on another board and it was moved to the second page w/i a day with no responses

. TRT IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!. hehe...I kinda knew I would have a response from Alice since she checks posts in the morning. I'm kinda like a kid on Christmas morning when it comes to checking for responses

Good points on not cutting in the tank. I will try my best to remove anything I prop. By the way Alice...I still owe you a nice prop of something. Those polyps just dont do it when you compare them to the frags you gave me!!!!!!!!!!! Which by the way are doing awsome!!!! Oh, Drew...I have a small otto powerhead in the 10. Seems to be enough. Alice...can you think of another way to incorperate carbon besides an over the back filter. Would dropping a bag in the little tank work at all? I know its passive but....????

Thanks again everyone!!
Dennis

Doug1 · 07-22-2001, 10:22 AM

How bout scrounging up an el cheapo corner filter(air driven) or one of the small Duetto filters?

Alice · 07-22-2001, 10:44 AM

I love my Otto powerheads

I'm glad the frags are doing well Dennis, especially the gorgo!

Well, since the tank is in the garage and you don't really have to worry about looks, is there room to kinda dangle a bag of carbon from the side where it can get some water flow? It doesn't need to be direct current by any means.