Thoughts on a FO tank

[Anonymous]

I am now thinking maybe to take someone elese's advice and get rid of the reef concept and go FO.

What do I need to have a FO tank? Of course if I need LR I will get some new.

How is a bio-ball type sump or LR only in the sump? Maybe only having 2-3 pieces in the display for the fish to hide.

The tank is a 58 (36x18x21). What good looking fish cound go in this small tank?

I can sell the MH and just add another 10K VHO for lighting.
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recession in us

 

[Unarce]

I'd keep the MH simply because of the shimmer lines. It just looks way better.

It'll come in handy when the reef-bug hits you again :lol:

 

[Anonymous]

Well cutting back on the lights should help any future algae problems as well.
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Infectious Diseases Forum

 

[Anonymous]

If you want a Fish only tank with no Algae growing here is a pretty much foolproof plan

1. go with a very light layer of sand or coral on the bottom, it must be vacuumed regularly
2. go with fake decorations, you can take them out and bleach them when they have algae on them
3. A method of filtration is needed, but must be cleaned regularly
4. A skimmer will also help
5. Go with lights that are pleasing to look at for you, you don't need a lot of light, just enough to see the fish.

6. don't over feed the fishies and make sure to keep contaminates on your hands out of the tank.

 

[ChrisRD]

Personally, for an FO setup, I would stick with your current config and maybe just throw some NO fluorescents over it for now. I prefer to run an FO like a reef anyway (with less light) - ie., live rock + skimmer and plenty of flow.

Besides, with good water quality, some grazing critters and the reduced lighting, sooner or later the algae is going to die-off and then all you'll have to do is fire up the MHs again and start adding corals! :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

hmm - I got to weigh these options.

Need new LR regardless. Its either 70lbs for the reef ot about 20 for a FO.

I get the light idea and can probably get a cheap fixture somewhere.

It is now the fact that even if I go FO or Reef I have to tear down the tank, bleach the tank and start over and wait a few months for the new LR to cure and the tank to cycle.

This can be a tough call. Especially when the SPS corals that snapped in half 2 weeks ago when I pulled the LR to scrub have already covered their bare spots and started growing.
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recession in us

 

[ChrisRD]

Personally I would not tear down the tank or ditch the rock. With reduced lighting it should be a lot easier to overcome the algae. JMO of course...

 

[Anonymous]

Chris - This LR spews tons of detritus. I scrubbed the LR out of the tank 2 weeks ago and withing a week and a half the rocks are covered in algae and cyano.
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Mercedes Viano

 

[ChrisRD]

Why not just run the tank with the lights off for a while and give the rock a chance to clean-up?

 

[Anonymous]

That means dumping the corals?
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Boiling Forum

 

[ChrisRD]

I thought we were talking an FO tank here... :?

 

[Anonymous]

Its my existing tank. I am debating on tearing it down to go FO with new LR or not or will I be in the same position.
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g13 diesel seeds

 

[ChrisRD]

I understand that it's your existing tank. I was assuming going FO meant you'd be getting rid of the corals. Without corals in there you are free to go with no lights for a while, thus killing off the algae and not having to buy new LR...

 

[Anonymous]

ahh - let me explain my confusion.

I was debating on the concepts of a FO compared to a reef. What the main difference is. If I have so many problems with my reef and the current occupants (LR/Water?lighting/etc.), What to say that with that same stuff minus the corals wont result in the same nightmare.
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ATV Specs

 

[Anonymous]

Yes with a FO you can have the same problem as with a reef. Overfeedin ginadaquate skimming and water changes not enough circulation, etc can all leadt to algae problems.

If I were in you shoes and were going to make the change I would ditch the rock or take it out and let it go base and clean it real well before reusing some of it. Dump the MH for VHO or NO floresents and loose some of the current.

 

[Anonymous]

How many people still run FO with bleached rock/coral?ort of like the old "Graveyard" look that some erfer too?

What are the benefits of doing this with a et/dry over FOWLR?

My problem is probably the tons of detritus in my LR that is pouring out.
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Honda S500

 

[SnowManSnow]

I would like to add a word or encouragement here

Let me encourage you not to let algae be the reason you get out of the reef hobby. It's a great hobby, and most everyone struggles with algae at some point or another. Algae CAN be beaten, but sometimes it takes months. Hang in there. Keep the faith. Run with confidence the race that is set before you!

I find that the 2 factors that seem to matter most in reefkeeping as pertaining to algae (if i may narrow it down to 2 are)
1- stability in lighting (as well as adequate lighting) My experiance is that when the light changes .. ur algae blooms

2-Skimming (have a really good skimmer, not just a prism, or seaclone or somthing).

I think you can do it!