New FOWLR setup help

[pogodzib]

I am in the process of starting a new FOWLR aquarium. It will be my first saltwater setup. In the future I will probably upgrade the tank to a reef aquarium. I am looking for any input as to if this setup will work as a FOWLR setup. I know that in the future I will need to update the lighting for corals and will maybe replace some of the aragocrete with real LR.

75 gal tank
2 vho lights (1-actinic + 1-50/50)
4" DSB (Southdown sand seeded w/ LS)
75 Lbs LR (50 Lbs Aragocrete + 25 Lbs Fiji LR)
2 powerheads
1 Protein skimmer
2-150W heaters

I am not planning on having a wet/dry filter or a sump to start. Will this setup work and will this be enough light for the coraline grow on the LR. I am not worried about the slow process for the rock and DSB to all become live. Am I missing any critical piece of equipment or will this setup work?

 

[liquid]

Hi and welcome to reefs.org!

Sounds like you're going down the right track to start out with. Couple of questions:

What powerheads were you planning to use?

What protein skimmer are you looking at currently?

Shane

 

[pogodzib]

I have not determined exactly what powerheads and skimmer yet. That will depend on if I decide on getting a sump to hide the equipment. I figure that the protein skimmer does not need to be added until a couple of months after the setup is up and running so I still have some time for that decision. I do know that I probably will go with middle of the line powerheads and a good high quality skimmer.

How tough is it to add a sump later if the tank is not drilled?
Any recommendations for a good skimmer?
Shoud I plan on adding kalk to a FOWLR tank to help the coraline growth?

FYI - Any advice is helpfull. The LFS's are not very usefull, unless you want to buy LR from them at $8.00/Lbs

 

[Anonymous]

How tough is it to add a sump later if the tank is not drilled?
Any recommendations for a good skimmer?
Shoud I plan on adding kalk to a FOWLR tank to help the coraline growth?

Not to tough to add a sump all you need is HOB overflows. My friend did it and it turned out nicely.

75 gal tank right?? Check out www.proteinskimmer.com for a good skimmer Probably the EV series (I could be wrong)

I dont add Kalk and my corraline is doing just fine. I do add aragamilk every once in a while though

 

[pogodzib]

I didn't think I needed to add any kalk, but I have seen articles about people adding kalk to aid in the growth. I want to make sure that the LR has some color to it.

I was thinking that HOB overflows would be the main piece of equipment to add a sump, but since I've never used a sump with any of my other tanks, I didn't know for sure.

Thanks for the link for the protein skimmers. I've seen that site recommended in the past. Unfortunately I don't think any of the LFS sell their products. Maybe I'll take a roadtrip when it is time to add a skimmer or order one online.

 

[Johnsteph10]

For just coralline growth, you probably don't need to add anything if you are doing routine water changes (something on the order of 20% a month, for instance). Not to mention all the other benefits of routine water changes.

I might consider adding a protein skimmer a little sooner than a couple of months depending on stocking level, etc...

oh, and Welcome to Reefs.org!!

John

 

[liquid]

Just for the record: a hang-on-the-back overflow *will* fail. It's just a matter of time. I've read too many horror stories on the board these last couple of years to trust them. You're much better off getting the tank drilled up front. Personally, I'd recommend dual drilling the tank just in case one fails.

Skimmer: get a good quality one -- either a beckett driven or Euro-Reef. FO tanks tend to have a higher amount of dissolved organics in the water due to feeding.

Powerheads: I'd suggest getting enough powerheads that you'll have at least 1000-1500 gph of flow from them. Heck in my 38 gal tank I had a Rio 600 (200 gph), MaxiJet 900 (200 gph) and 2x MaxiJet 1200's (300 gph). That netted out to about 1000 gph. I had one of them pointing up to the surface to agitate the water to aid gas exchange.

Shane

 

[pogodzib]

I might end up going another route. I found a used setup that I might get instead of starting out from scratch. The setup includes

125 gal drilled tank w/ stand and canopy
3 - 175w MH
LR
German Skimmer (can't remmemer what brand)
power heads
heater
sump
plus other misc items

I'm going to take a look tonight, but it sounds like a good setup for the price. That would give me a reef capable setup from the start and I'll upgrade the equipment as needed.

 

[mountainbiker619]

If you are sure you will switch to a reef tank, then you should save yourself the pain and configure/setup as a reef tank now.

 

[pogodzib]

I know that I'll end up w/ a reef tank someday. I've kept planted tanks in the past, so I have a better base than someone just switching over from a FW setup. I'd never be satisfied with a FOWLR tank knowing that there is another step to take.

Is it better to have a DSB w/ LR or twice as much LR w/ just a little bit of sand? What about a DSB in the sump?

 

[liquid]

Heh, I'd go w/ the 125, but that's me.

As long as you stick to the 0.5 - 1.5 lbs liverock/gallon or so you should be fine on the rock. Most of the denitrification takes place in the first centimeter or so of sandbed so going deeper isn't going to give you much added benefit. I'd forget the DSB in the sump as that's where your equipment goes (skimmer, heater, etc).

Shane

 

[pogodzib]

Well, I bought the 125 setup last night for $800. I think I got a good deal. What does everyone else think about the setup and price. It includes

125 gal drilled tank w/ nice homemade Butternut stand & canopy
3 - 175w MH ballasts w/ 2 actinic MH bulbs
approx 180Lbs LR containing many small mushrooms growing on them
Sump w/ bioballs
5 Powerheads
3 - 200W heaters
German skimmer (I believe its a Klaes)
Ozone generator
some salt, sand, & additives
serveral other misc items

 

[liquid]

Depending on the condition of the equipment, I'd say you got a pretty good deal. Now you need to post pics.

Shane

 

[pogodzib]

Equipment all seems to be in good shape. I'll post some pics after it is all setup. How long should I wait after moving the setup before adding fish or crabs/snails? I know that the water will have to cycle again so should I wait until after the cycle is complete or can I add 1-2 fish to help control the algae. There is quit a bit of algae growing on the LR as there was no fish to help keep it under control.

 

[liquid]

I'd probably get it all setup, add my water and get all the equipment up and running for about a month before I started anything to it like snails. Slow is the key when you're moving an established system.

Shane

 

[pogodzib]

I plan on moving very slow. Everything is too expensive to take a chance. I just don't think my wife is going to like it when I tell her that we shouldn't add any fish or anything for a month.

 

[liquid]

Mine wasn't happy when I told her that when I setup my first tank, but she got over it.

Shane

 

[pogodzib]

Mine will get over it too

 

[mountainbiker619]

I say its a great deal. The LR at $3.00 a lb would cost $540.00

 

[insearch]

I am getting a similar deal minus the equipment.
90lbs LR
80lbs LS
plus 6fish and about 25 assorted inverts which I made deal w/LFS to recieve $300