Backup reef tank with less work

[hwofnt]

Most of the reefers with years accumulate quite a variety of corals. Then they lose interest to the old, more common corals and replace them by the new, more interesting ones. Or tank become specialized. Or they run out of space.

I was wondering if there is a way to create a personal "species bank" in a small volume. It make serve also as a backup tank, just in case if the main tank crashes. This happens for some.

Not taking a lot of space, as a refugium. And keep there at least a small frag of each of the corals. How to do that with minimal amount of work? Minimal fragging work, this slimy, smelly activity, or make it the least bothersome.

Any chance to do that in pico tank? For us from the another life, with size of room, where finding the place for extra chair without blocking access to something is a problem.

Just curious.

[Carl]

Since I have not done this, please take this as just an opinion;

My experience (as well as many of my friends I still work with while in LA on business trips) generally keep their more delicate corals such as many of the SPS corals in higher end reef tanks, so I am not sure what the outcome of a Pico Tank would be.
I am sure this is possible with someone who has much experience, but for most this would be difficult from my perspective.

Even with an experienced reef keeper such as yourself, I have to wonder if even the slightest thing went wrong, and since you noted earlier that health is an issue (that might affect your ability to monitor your tanks on certain days); you could have an over night disaster in a pico tank.

Please take this as strictly an opinion though, as I certainly understand your reasons for this, and it may be a worth while endeavor.
If you do use Pico tanks (for other readers here, these are generally marine tanks under 2 gallons), I would not spend much and keep it simple, as well I would have the attitude that if it goes well; GREAT, if not; oh well, you tried.

Carl

[hwofnt]

Thank you!

[Carl]

Sept 21, 2009 6:04:31 GMT -5 hwofnt said:

Thank you!

Not sure I really helped or said anything constructive, either way good luck and keep us posted with results if you do undertake this endeavor (so others such as myself can learn from this).

Carl