125gal FOWLR set up ?'s

[tbelliot]

Hello guys/gals I am planning on setting up my first saltwater tank. I have been a dedicated freshwater hobbyist for most of my life and have kept many large, predatory fish. I have a 125gallon that I would like to set up as FOWLR. I will be purchasing an ro/di unit.
Here are my plans for the tank, let me know if I am on the right track. I am not really sure what my stocking plans are at the moment. I have been looking at some of the more peaceful triggers(bluejaw, niger), volitan lionfish, miniatus grouper, and emperor angelfish. Would there be any issues with that group? If so which would you leave out. My main concern was the trigger and the lionfish, but I figured the best bet would be with a peaceful trigger.
My plans for filtration are 2 X AC110s for mechanical filtration, 1 x fluval fx5, and a 30 gallon DIY wet/dry. This sound sufficient?
-With the AC110s what media should I use? Just live rock?
-What media for the FX5, sponges and ceramic rings?
Do you have any recommendations on an in sump protein skimmer?
How much live rock would you recommend purchasing? I have heard a pound per gallon? I am in no hurry to get the tank going so I was wanting to purchase a majority of dead rock. What ratio of live rock : dead rock would you recommend to start?
How much / often do you recommend doing water changes. Regardless of how good my filtration was on my freshwater tanks I would do 50% weekly water changes. Do you change water with the same frequency on a FOWLR.
Thanks for the help,
Tyler

 

[tbelliot]

So I think I have answered a majority of my own questions. First off I have found that canister filters should not be used with any amount of biological media, as the main source of biological filtration in the tank is left up to the live rock and live sand. The sand and rock will convert waste into nitrogen gas which will leave the aquarium. Whereas the rings will trap organic waste, thus producing a large amount of nitrate. The filter sponges are also a concern as anything trapped in the sponge will begin producing nitrates as well. Therefore my FX5 is pretty much useless other than being a chemical filter and water circulator. I should say useless though as water circulation is very important, the more the better I assume. Therefore should I also run my 2 x AC110s empty for even more circulation?
Also i understand that the amount of water changes I will be doing on the saltwater tank will be much less than in my freshwater tank, as I will not be battling the same amount of nitrates.
The only questions I have left are about my stocking plans and a recommendation on a good quality protein skimmer? I have been looking at some reefoctopus skimmers. Would you recommend them?
Thanks,
Tyler

 

[dave12387]

I have a Octopus and Its solid. There are better pricier skimmers but imo they work fairly well. As far as the Aquaclears for extra circulation, Id suggest just investing in some good powerheads. Id recommend Vortechs if you can afford them. If you dont want to spend that kind of cash, they are a bit expensive, Koralias are a good less expensive alternative. GL.

 

[geridoc]

You are planning an aggressive tank, and your planned stock list looks pretty good. I might worry a little about a trigger with a volitans - sometimes the triggers pick on the fins of the lion, nipping them severely. That said, many years ago I had a niger trigger and a volitans in a 55 gal FOWLR and they got along fine for 2 years, until I accidentally electrocuted them

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