Stay or leave hobby.

[scubajay]

I moved last July to New Jersey and was going to leave the hobby. I sold my live stock, live rock, reactors and sump. I still have everything else left. Tank (reef ready 57 rimless), stand, sand, skimmer, power heads, Radion 1st gen light, return pumps, power heads, reef keeper, heaters etc. I?ve been thinking about setting everything back up.

I do not know whether to do a fowlr setup or a reef setup. The reef setup to me was too time consuming checking parameters, dosing, maintenance, etc. I?m leaning towards a fowlr setup or go back to a fresh water cichlid setup which I really enjoyed. Basically I just want to make the setup as simple as possible.

1. I used to live in an apartment and did not care how much water I waste since It was included with the rent. Now I own and do care how much water I waste. I have a 75GPD BRS RODI. In the apartment it took a few hours just to make 5 gallons of water, even after changing the filters. God knows how many gallons of waste water when down the drain. Do not want a high water bill. What can I do to the RODI to decrease the waste water production and increase the good water production?

2. Filter socks- Hate changing them every three days and then having to wash them. The only thing I liked about having filter socks is that it reduces the splashing in the sump. What are the cons of going without filter socks. What are my other options? What other ways can I remove the waste from the water?

3. Live Rock ? I want to minimize the amount of rocks in the tank. I want it to look as clean as possible. I did the 1pd per gallon and thought I had too many rocks. Fishes were always hiding behind the rocks. What are the cons of minimizing the rocks in the tank. What else can I use for biological filtration?

4. Sump ? What would be the simplest and most beneficial sump design? I used to have a sump with three compartments. 1st compartment (inflow, skimmer), 2nd compartment (refugium), 3rd compartment (return pump). Do I still need this type of setup. What would be the simplest and effective filtration setup? Can I put a HOB Filter in the sump to help get rid of the waste? They are very simple to maintain.

5. Can I overstock a fowlr setup.

6. Should I just go with a goldfish in a bowl J


Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[noelskii]

:goldfish:goldfish

 

[asonitez]

Dude.

Go FOWLR.. Use Tap Water with a decholorinator. Get a standard 3 section sump and fill the middle section with live rock and rubble. You CAN overstock a FOWLR. Just don't. Use Large sand media unless you have burrowing wrasses. A Canister filter is fine for your application if you keep up with the maintenance. Throw a bag of carbon and a bag of phosban in your sump and your set. I'd sell the radion asap before the price drops also.

 

[scubajay]

Thanks asonitez. I was thinking of keeping the Radion since the price already dropped. I will not get anywhere close to what I paid. Plus I like the way the light looks. I do not need a rodi for a FOWLR setup or a protein skimmer?

 

[Geraud]

With regards to the waste water from RO/DI, you can actually do a "double membrane" setup, which enables you to produce twice more "useable water".

Apparently the ratio goes from 25/75 to 50/50 with that system. The only thing is that you need to have enough pressure to "drive" the second membrane.

I believe BRS carries a kit to let you do that.

 

[walnuts24]

If you are doing FOWLR, a skimmer is a must. Also I would go with a bigger tank if you are going to do a FOWLR. Overstocking is ok as long as the fish have enough room to swim, but the 57 is only 3' and you still wouldn't be able to keep larger angels/tangs for long.

If you are going to set it up I would do a real simple, easy to keep soft/zoa reef and keep the filtration simple. Do 15 gallons of water changes a month and have fun with it.


If you are going to sell, put me first in line for the tank and stand. Been looking for one for a while. :lol:

 

[scubajay]

Geraud, Thanks I heard about that kit but if im doing a fowlr do I need to use rodi water or can I get away with just regular water and just add a water conditioner.

 

[asonitez]

A protein skimmer is still a good idea of course because you want a way to export the crud that build up and that's a great way of doing it. Fact of the matter is that you don't have to worry much about phosphates and alk and mag in a fowlr setup. Your main goal there is to maintain optimal water conditions for the fish themselves which centers around having an established and functioning biological filter for the fish and inverts. You shouldn't have any problem saving a few bucks on SALT by running your salinity at around 1.023 and unless you have HORRIBLE water you don't HAVE to use RODI. There are a lot of FOWLR systems on RC that lists out a lot of their equip and setups and most are very simple.

Even though your not doing a REEF you can still purchase a LOT of corals that will thrive in higher nutrient water and are still beautiful. You can do things like Macro Algaes bottle brushes, Zenia's, Green star polyps.

A LFS i visited in florida had a giant fish tank 120gal + with nothing but fish. They planted Green Star Polyps on the bottom of the tank and let it grow all over the rocks and bottom until it was like pretty grass all over. They also had some Xenia and Anthellia which most fish won't eat growing all over. It was so pretty and all they used for lighting were some 3 year old power compacts lol. They did very little water changes and other than a skimmer they didn't do much else.

 

[dacaptain78]

Set up the tank!

1. Sounds like something is wrong with your RODI. Maybe you dd not have enough pressure or the membrane needs to be replaced. Either way I would correct the problem and stil use RODI water. What will you need, 10-15 gallons a week for water changes and top off? You will use more water flushing your toilets for the week.

2. You can use the mesh style filter socks. They catch less debris but do not clog as easy as the felt socks. Plus cleaning them is much easier. Or just dont use them, but your sump will need to be cleaned as most of the detritus will settle there.

3. Don't worry about a pound/gallon equation with live rock. Just build your aquascape to your liking. If you feel you need more rock for filtration purposes then you can add it to the sump.

4. Simple sump divided into 3 sections: intake/skimmer in first chamber, live rock/reactors/macro/ or nothing in second chamber and return pump in last.

5. Yes.

6. Yes, next to your 57 gallon SW tank.

 

[lnevo]

I believe the main reason for the ro/di is to reduce TDS which can contribute to algae growth. As someone mentioned you can get an extra membrane and double your output while reducing your waste water. Good luck!

 

[scubajay]

walnuts24
I went from leaving the hobby, to going back to cichlids to a FOWLR to now looking into a bigger tank (90 gallons). What is wrong with me. If I decide to sell the 57 rimless I will let you know.

Asonitez,
Thanks for the great advice.

dacaptain78,
I?m going to hook up the RODI in my new home to see what kind of pressure I get. I was looking in the BRS website and they want $150.00 for a booster pump.

 

[ctcorals]

Dude. in this point i think u just buy RO water from LFS even cheaper than ur water bill. only when u buy more from them thatu can get real cheap price!

 

[lnevo]

Check with Buckeye Hydro for a pump...

 

[Dre]

Not all Rodi waste water and washout the filter socks man or buy poly pads in bulk. And you don't need a sump....