Zoa Only frag tank

[Christopher Poore]

Hello All!

I have a Zoa only frag tank that I am currently cycling. I'd love any input as far as dosing/feeding/other equipment.

The tank is a 17gallon 36Lx8H (by 12 or 16 wide). It is an all in 1 tank that originally was a ZOA only frag tank using a 4bulb t5 fixture. I have decided to redo the entire tank, drill it, add a HUGE fish tank sump that's only purpose is nutrient export. The sump is filled with live rock and 15pounds of crushed coral

I do not plan to run a protein skimmer on the tank and will be doing regular weekly 10-15% water changes.

Lighting is done by a single G3 XR30 Pro with Wide Angle Lense. Water movement is provided by a single MP10QD.

Fish will be: 1 Clownfish, 1 Chromis, 1 Algae Blenny, 1 6 Line wrasse


The only other think I can think about changing/adding to the tank is a light and some sort of Nutrient Export Algae like Cheato.

Love to hear everyone's input/suggestions on changes/words of advice




The only other think I can think about changing/adding to the tank is a light and some sort of Nutrient Export Algae like Cheato.

Love to hear everyones input/suggestions/words of advice

 

[Zackmoo]

I would love to do this. If only I had enough room.

 

[Christopher Poore]

Thankfully I talked my lady into allowing the second tank in our tiny house lol.

 

[ahiggins]

Seems like a lot of fish for that small of a tank but if youre going to make sure the nutrient export is on point, I dont see any problem.
Is the MP10 going to be too much flow? I only have a 230gyre set at random with 60% peak. Im not sure about MP10s so just something to check into
I would definitely keep an eye on nitrates....without a skimmer (even with chaeto) and all those fish, youll be looking at high nitrates-even with weekly water changes. Just my experience/something to keep an eye on
I have a 40 frag tank with all zoas/palys and a few acans/favias/leathers. I have a midas blenny, anthias, and (fake) coris wrasse. My skimmer (running 12 hrs a day) keeps nitrates below 5.

 

[Christopher Poore]

Seems like a lot of fish for that small of a tank but if youre going to make sure the nutrient export is on point, I dont see any problem.
Is the MP10 going to be too much flow? I only have a 230gyre set at random with 60% peak. Im not sure about MP10s so just something to check into
I would definitely keep an eye on nitrates....without a skimmer (even with chaeto) and all those fish, youll be looking at high nitrates-even with weekly water changes. Just my experience/something to keep an eye on
I have a 40 frag tank with all zoas/palys and a few acans/favias/leathers. I have a midas blenny, anthias, and (fake) coris wrasse. My skimmer (running 12 hrs a day) keeps nitrates below 5.

Hello there!

The sump is probably holding around 20-25 gallons of water, so figure about 37 gallons total water volume. I don't think 4 fish will be TOO much but I may need to employ the help of a skimmer; maybe I'll just pick up a cheap used one from somebody. That being said, isn't a little bit "dirtier" okay for the Zoas? Little higher on the Nitrate and Phosphates?

As far as flow, honestly I would put a cheaper powerhead in there; but this MP10 is an extra so I dont mind running it on a lower setting.

Any thoughts on the sump setup? Just rock and crushed coral is okay?
Post some pics of your setup!!

 

[ahiggins]

Hello there!

The sump is probably holding around 20-25 gallons of water, so figure about 37 gallons total water volume. I don't think 4 fish will be TOO much but I may need to employ the help of a skimmer; maybe I'll just pick up a cheap used one from somebody. That being said, isn't a little bit "dirtier" okay for the Zoas? Little higher on the Nitrate and Phosphates?

As far as flow, honestly I would put a cheaper powerhead in there; but this MP10 is an extra so I dont mind running it on a lower setting.

Any thoughts on the sump setup? Just rock and crushed coral is okay?
Post some pics of your setup!!

Little dirtier, yes. As in 5-10 ppm nitrates. (I try to keep phosphates as low as humanly possible without them being at 0, less algae that way) Unless you have a good skimmer (because I assume you will be feeding the fish LOL) you wont be able to get that low. Granted, this is just a number that has worked for me. Im sure others have some experience running higher.
Its great that the sump is that big I didnt realize it would be ~40 gallons. You wont be overloading it and none of those fish are overly territorial.
Sump setup seems pretty good. IMO, I would get the skimmer (used or otherwise) and get a TON of live rock....like at least 25 lbs. Ive never used crushed coral in a sump-whats it for? Could you get away with bare bottom for easier cleaning?

 

[joshporksandwich]

GFO and Carbon reactor always helps. Cheato in the middle chamber also is good. Everything else seems perfect.

 

[sweat044]

GFO and Carbon reactor always helps. Cheato in the middle chamber also is good. Everything else seems perfect.

I am setting up one as well. What's GFO and Carbon reactor would you recommend?

 

[Christopher Poore]

GFO and Carbon reactor always helps. Cheato in the middle chamber also is good. Everything else seems perfect.

@joshporksandwic

Josh! Thanks for your input! Mind me asking 3 questions? Also; if others could give their input on these questions I would greatly appreciate it!

1) Should I run a custom map on my Radion using more blue than other colors, and if so mind giving any insight on what %'s the channels should be at?
Or Should I just run the LPS/Soft map that Ecotech provides

2) Any insight on a weekly feeding schedule? I was thinking Live Phyto every other week and reef roids twice a week. Thoughts?

3) Do you dose any amino acids in your zoa growouts?

 

[joshporksandwich]

1) don't have radions so no idea.
2)i feed once a day. Phyto and rotis once a week.
3) i use 1 cap of fuel and 1 cap of polyp extender every other day.

 

[Christopher Poore]

Decided I'm going to run the LPS/Soft mode from ecotech.

 

[Rhinohorn420]

GFO and Carbon reactor always helps. Cheato in the middle chamber also is good. Everything else seems perfect.

That looks good brotha. My zoas I got from you at brew frag fest are looking nice. I'll post pics soon

 

[Mandrew]

Maybe try a diy algae scrubber. I've heard of those replacing skimmers and they can be way cheaper too.

 

[Dave770]

Good luck with this project. I'd love to have something like this down the road.

 

[Hubtech]

i'm following this too. picked up a lowbow and stand for cheap. and just picked up a ton of zoa/paly from an auciton.

 

[Chris Wooten]

Decided I'm going to run the LPS/Soft mode from ecotech.

How has this schedule been working for you? I have been running the radiant color schedule for a few months and it seems to be doing okay but thinking of switching to the LPS/Soft coral lab schedule.