Looking to make my 29g FW into a 29g FOWLR

[radcast2]

I started out trying to find a way to do my 29g tank into a FO, but after research and research I found it is pretty much impossible. I have about 4" of sand in my 55g reef but I want to try something different with the 29g so here it goes. Picture attached shows it at work so to speak.
I go with a bare bottom tank place LR and Base rock in it. I use a mag3 pump that is plumed to draw water from middle of water column, and push the detritus to one corner of the tank. I use a HOT overflow that goes down to a 10g tank that I will place baffles in, Allow the overflows line to come into a section of the 10g that is only 2x2 and allows the water to overflow into the "sump area" which will have a 5" sandbed and be filled with different types of GOOD algaes. Then overflow over a couple baffles then to a return pump of a mag 5 or 7. How does this sound?? I do believe that this close to how they did it in Germany back in the 80's

The attached picture is what it should look like when complete.
1-HOT overflow (GPH 500-600)
2-29g tank
3-PVC on input of pump pulling water from mid way
4-MAG 3 pump
5-plumbed PVC that allows flow to back of tank and front
6-Flex-hose from HOT overflow into 10g (submerging the hose under the water level in hopes that is reduces bubbles.
7-10g tank
8-LS (5") & good algae
9-Mag5 or 7 return pump
10-LR and base rock
11-return line to 29g

 

[Anonymous]

looks alright ot me.

what do you mean it's impossible to make a 29g a fish only?

 

[radcast2]

Well...as you can tell I am new to this site but in other sites I have just been told over and over that I have to have the LR in there other wise I wont be able to have any Biological filtration...
See my original plan was as follows.................
I was hoping that I would be able to do this with the following stuff we have left from a FW 29g tank that is no longer used. I have NO intension in making this a reef or nano-reef only FO, I want a bigger tank for the reef (90g but way down the road, I have a 55g reef as well)

---tank equipment---
-2" or 3" sand
-AquaClear 500 power filter or a Proquatics 2400 canister filter (sponges would hold bacteria that give bio-filter, i would think)
-N.O. 40w light
-1 or 2 powerheads extra water movement (0 or 1 if I use the canister filter)
-fake rock work/decor
-bi-weekly water changes of 5g-10g
-skimmer would be Remora w/MJ1200

---Fish----
-1 Royal Gramma
-2 Ocellaris Clowns
-1 Blennie (not sure what one)..
-Very open to suggestions in replacing any of these fish

 

[Anonymous]

you can make that 29g a fish only tank.

you will need to have a means of nitrification and denitrification and in my opinion, liverock and/or DSB is the easiest way to do that.
however, they are far from the only way to do it.

you could do a plenum or there are dozens of wet/dry filters to choose from, an undergravel filter could work as well.
you could do a biowheel or biorocker in conjunction with a denitrator.
there are fluidized beds and turf scrubbers too.
i honestly don't think i can come up with all the options.
DSB and LR are the most popular and they are what most people are familiar with, myself included.

so far, this is only in response to what others have said regarding LR and DSB being the only means of biofiltration.
as for what you have in your posession currently, i think your plan outlined below could work. it would be an intense little thing to keep up with though.

---tank equipment---
-2" or 3" sand
-AquaClear 500 power filter or a Proquatics 2400 canister filter (sponges would hold bacteria that give bio-filter, i would think)
-N.O. 40w light
-1 or 2 powerheads extra water movement (0 or 1 if I use the canister filter)
-fake rock work/decor
-bi-weekly water changes of 5g-10g
-skimmer would be Remora w/MJ1200

i don't know what kind of sand you have, but it could provide your denitrification. you would have to add some life to it though.

i wouldn't use the canister but that is just me. if i did it would be free of media. if i had to use it, the way you are planning with the sponge, i would have a prefilter on it.
the aquaclear could work fine for nitrification, just turn it off at feeding times.

all in all i would suggest as others have, i just want to clear up the notion that you only have one option.

LR is a very handy item to use and i don't think there is a more economical or simple way of maintaining optimum water conditions.

 

[radcast2]

Thanks Podman......I actually did consider and still am considering just putting in some baserock($1.10lb i get it for) and a few lbs of LR then just use a small wet/dry on the 29g, like on my 55g.

As for the sand I would place Arag-Live and Southdown. I had planned on taking about 1/2lb of sand out of my 55g and placing it in the 29g. Of course I would replace the sand back into the 55g.

I think my whole idea at first was setting it up like a FW tank but really not a good idea since amintenace is increased by about 80%. Thanks For your help.
I think I will just keep my 10g for a Qtank of future use. Just do a regular FOWLR and a wet/dry.