frag tanks - out side
hi guys :D
I have been pondering recently about placement. I plan on setting up a frag tank no matter what but would like to pick some of the more experienced brains on the subject. this isnt got to do with the setup and equipment like the last thread I have done on it.
what I have been considering is actually setting up the tank outside where it will get actual sunlight, not sure how many hours, what the temps are going to be like or anything yet, I plan on setting up a test scenario with it to monitor parameters and see how it all goes. my biggest problems that I reckon I will run into are a couple of things.
1. is temperature stability, how much the water heats up through the day, and how much it drops during the night, obviously a larger body of water would will be more stable. also this will depend on the season too, obviously up here our temps are reasonably stable most of the time, but if I have to run a chiller this probably wont work as I cant afford the equipment for that. heating would be fine as a couple of 300 watt would probably be over kill.
2. light, my main thought for doing it out side was this, i mean natural light surely would have to be decent for growth? especially those that are used to being in shallower water.
whether or not a glass top would be appropriate Im not sure, it might cause to much heat and warm the tank up to much.
3. evaporation would possibly be a big issue being that it is outside, in the sun which would cause evaporation, especially with open sumps and flowing water which could cause salinity issues, but topping up isnt to much of an issue there either.
what I am thinking is that if it is outside it wouldnt even need to be a tank, a plastic container (maybe a kids paddle pool/seashell thing??) would possibly be appropriate?
has anyone ever tried this? I know some have set up temporary storage facilities with the like of paddle pools etc. to hold live rock, breed live food etc. but has any body tried to actually do a frag tank setup out side using natural sunlight for propagation purposes? it is just something that has been on my mind recently in regards to having a frag tank setup and trying to be somewhat frugal about the process. obviously I am prepared to do a proper tank setup with it all but thought this might be wort ha good discussion on pros and cons of the idea, the feasability of it all and just a bit of brain storming :D
let me know your thoughts on it all, and feel free to add in any ideas on possible designs, problems etc.
jamie :D
I have been pondering recently about placement. I plan on setting up a frag tank no matter what but would like to pick some of the more experienced brains on the subject. this isnt got to do with the setup and equipment like the last thread I have done on it.
what I have been considering is actually setting up the tank outside where it will get actual sunlight, not sure how many hours, what the temps are going to be like or anything yet, I plan on setting up a test scenario with it to monitor parameters and see how it all goes. my biggest problems that I reckon I will run into are a couple of things.
1. is temperature stability, how much the water heats up through the day, and how much it drops during the night, obviously a larger body of water would will be more stable. also this will depend on the season too, obviously up here our temps are reasonably stable most of the time, but if I have to run a chiller this probably wont work as I cant afford the equipment for that. heating would be fine as a couple of 300 watt would probably be over kill.
2. light, my main thought for doing it out side was this, i mean natural light surely would have to be decent for growth? especially those that are used to being in shallower water.
whether or not a glass top would be appropriate Im not sure, it might cause to much heat and warm the tank up to much.
3. evaporation would possibly be a big issue being that it is outside, in the sun which would cause evaporation, especially with open sumps and flowing water which could cause salinity issues, but topping up isnt to much of an issue there either.
what I am thinking is that if it is outside it wouldnt even need to be a tank, a plastic container (maybe a kids paddle pool/seashell thing??) would possibly be appropriate?
has anyone ever tried this? I know some have set up temporary storage facilities with the like of paddle pools etc. to hold live rock, breed live food etc. but has any body tried to actually do a frag tank setup out side using natural sunlight for propagation purposes? it is just something that has been on my mind recently in regards to having a frag tank setup and trying to be somewhat frugal about the process. obviously I am prepared to do a proper tank setup with it all but thought this might be wort ha good discussion on pros and cons of the idea, the feasability of it all and just a bit of brain storming :D
let me know your thoughts on it all, and feel free to add in any ideas on possible designs, problems etc.
jamie :D