How do I start a small frag system?

[Ckane2]

So I have a small 5g system thats been running for over a year, but I just got an IM nuvo 10 cube and an AI prime HD that have been on standby. I have been considering getting the system up and running as a coral only frag grow-out system. I like the look of frag grow-out systems and the focus on corals. Maybe have a couple shelves of egg crate at different heights for different coral types, and magnetic frag racks on the side glass.

 

My questions are: if I do this and have no live rock in the tank, what do I do for filtration? Is porous filter media enough to keep nitrate levels low if I add a small fish and feed the coral? What else would you run for filtration? And would it better to just go bare-bottom with an ABS sheet to protect bottom glass, instead of sand?

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[Garf]

Get some marinepure bio media, the cubes or the balls. My LFS sells them dry, or wet from their system. I think Brightwell also makes some. The high performance stuff, not cheap media like tubes or whatever. Once established, it should be enough for filtration. And yes, I think bare bottom is the way to go.  I was thinking of starting a 4.3g frag tank, but thankfully Oceanbox design is not taking orders for them yet.