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Prop Tank |
We have setup a dedicated propagation tank system to allow us to propagate corals without tying up our main display tank. This tank is a custom built acrylic tank measuring 48"x24"x8". This form factor provides optimum specimen density and light utilization. Currently one half of the tank is lit using a 175W 10K Metal Halide light. This half of the tank is used for SPS propagation. The other half is lit with a 65W Lights of America outdoor light from Home Depot. This half of the tank is used for soft coral propagation.
The stand is heavy duty pine construction that provides shelves for two of these tanks plus room for a deeper tank on the bottom shelf to double as a sump. I am currently using a 20 gallon long aquarium as a sump for this system.
The sump uses a counter-current skimmer and 300W heater to keep things in order. I use GAC which I replace about once a month or two. Water changes is about 2 gallon per week. I use water from my make display tank for water changes since its water conditions are kept fairly optimal.
I have not been totally happy with the results that I have obtained with this system. It started off well, but growth of the specimens seems to have stalled out. I have made some recent changes to try to improve things.
Specimens being propagated at this time: