I am getting ready to set up a propagation tank. I am mostly interested in soft corals for now (mushrooms, xenia, leather …) I would like to use a 20 Gal long tank (because I already have it). I also have a 10 gal I could use as a refugium, is this a good idea? For lighting I was think of either PC or MH (does anyone have the info on the MH from HD). Should I run a skimmer? Do I need a sub straight or is bare glass ok? If there are no fish what would I need for filtration?
Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for any help.
Mark

im not sure but the prop/ coral tank at my lfs uses two 250w 10k MH with a bare bottom, three plexiglass racks (each one higher than the other) and a yellow tang and a few snails to control hair algea, for filtration, a 20g sump with a piece of LR and a Berlin skimmer...hth

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[This message has been edited by FishTechie (edited 07-05-2000).]

Thanks Fistechie
I was thinking a single 250w and some snails for algea. The tang may be a good idea, thanks

On my 29 gallon prop tank i have 2 blue and 2 daylight power compacts for 220 watts over the tank thats roughly 7 watts a gallon

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This is the most addictive thing that i have ever come across as well as expensive

sorry i forgot to mention, my lfs is using a 75g thats why they have two, 1 would be fine for your 20g

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ok well it sounds like a 175-250 MH and either NO or PC for some blue.

Next question. If I leave the 20 gal bare and put some sand, live rock and macro (from existing tank) in a refugium, how long should I wait before adding coral to the tank? I could use water from the existing tank as well to get it started. I figure it should be ok to add coral right away given that I am using the rock and water from my existing tank.

Thanks
Mark

I would go with No actinics for the blue, I used the URI NO actinic and the PC actinic and the NO gave me some serious true blue light opposed to the faded looking PC blue.

as far as adding sand rock and from your existing tank you'll probably get a small spike since you'll be striiring up the sand to move it from tank to tank., you should be fine but i'd watch it for a week or two to make everything stablizes....hth

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the NO souds good and cheaper.
I will watch it close for a while. I guess on thing I am not clear on is do corals polute the water much? I thouht with just coral, crabs, and snails I would not have musch of a polution problem, is that correct?
Do I still have to watch all the same parameters as I would with fish?

Thanks,
Mark

Thanks FT

corals pollute the water too, but they cant swim away from their poop (scientific term) like a fish, thats why they use the current from powerheads to take the poop away and bring the nutrients, most of them are MORE sensitive to water quality than fish so the same test and parameters are required...ESPECIALLY a skimmer

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