FOWLR minimum requirements...?

vejomatic

vejomatic

Member
Title kind of says it all...but; what is the minimum requirements (general) for a 55G FOWLR??
Here is my thinking, I was going to go all out and start with the reef, but... :rolleyes: I dont even know how to test water...I think ill just start simple and work my way up with both experience and $$$.
So...How about a 55G with a Emperor 400 Dual Bio-Wheel filter, Current USA 260W PC, 1 or 2 Maxi-Jet PH's (any ideas on size PH?), 2" base of live sand, 35-50 lbs. LR ????
Will this be o.k to get started with?
How long should I expect my first cycle to take with what Iv'e listed above?
Many thanks,
I love this board! :joy:
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
I'm sure you want to have a healthy envrioment for your inhabitants, and obviously there is a "minimum" needed for them to "survive"...
But perhaps you could rethink or rephrase your question from "Whats the minimum I can get away with...? "... to .." Whats the best thing I can do to set up a SW tank, with out going overboard to the extreame...?"
:thinking:
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
Having said that, your base suggestions ....
How about a 55G with a Emperor 400 Dual Bio-Wheel filter, Current USA 260W PC, 1 or 2 Maxi-Jet PH's (any ideas on size PH?), 2" base of live sand, 35-50 lbs. LR ????
Are a good start... Go for the Maxi 1200 (295 gph each) and spend some money on a GOOD skimmer and you should be off to a good start...
My thoughts of filtration...
Large (adaquate) quantity of Live Rock and SSB for Biological filtration (suface area for Bacteria)...High Flow , distributed through out the tank to keep deitrus suspended and removed from MT,promote gaseous exchange and maintain oxygen levels...a Large sump and LARGER Fuge with Macros for malnutrient removal through export (denitrification) and a Killer Skimmer to remove Mass quantities of DOCs (organics) prior to decomposition...
With a well balanced system, no other "filtration devices" (bioballs/biomedia) are necessary...Other than the ability to run Chemical Media (carbon or phosphate removers) from time to time, best done in a Fluidized bed (or converted canister) type system...
 
fuax

fuax

Member
Sorry for being a newb to these boards but I dont understand all of the jargon yet (although i have had sw and fw tanks for 20 years) what does FOWLR stand for
 
vejomatic

vejomatic

Member
nicely said Squidd...
I was going to go all out reef, but my new thinking is to get the equiptment needed for a reef tank, but just dont buy any corals/inverts etc...this would give me a good solid base to stand on for future needs.
So, if Im somewhat correct in that thinking, my new sentiment is, "with the equiptment listed above, will I be able to provide a good environment for a starter FOWLR tank...leaving room to grow if my needs change down the road once my tank gets established?"
~vm
thanks for responding Squidd...i thoroughly enjoyed the thread you and Leona kept up and learned a TON!
 
vejomatic

vejomatic

Member
Fuax: FOWLR is (fish only with live rock)
Squidd, so...would i be "ill epuipted with just the Emporer 400 and my LR as Filtration...or are you saying that the tank would outgrow that system and it would be best to jump straight to a sump/fuge?
 
fuax

fuax

Member
Woot that means I have a FOWLR tank too
LOL
SSB?
OK I am thinking every once in awhile a thread needs to be made with a list anagrams maybe lolol
 
vejomatic

vejomatic

Member
i know what your sayn'...
hey Fuax, tell me about your FOWLR system...what do you have setup and how long has it been running?
 
fuax

fuax

Member
Ok here we go this tank has been running for years as 100gal set I recently upgraded to the 150 just transfered everything over.
My set up I will start from the top
Lights:
48" PC retro fit
4-65 watt bulbs
(2-actinic blue 03)
(2-10000k daylights)
4- Blue 3/4 watt moonlights
Tank:
150 all-glass with duel built in overflows
60 to 70 lbs lr
Filter (here's where ppl laugh at me):
Wet/dry (will do up to 400 gal )
(6 gal. bio balls)
( 4lbs lr (adding more slowly)
Ehiem 1060 hobby pump
Turbo twist 3X (9 watt UV sterilizer)
(will add skimmer as soon as I find the one I want)
Refuge (custom made by me get rdy to laugh I just set it up):
24x16x16 rubbermaid tub
penguin 550 powerhead (pumps water into refuge exits by 3/4 pvc pipe back into
w/d sump)
4lbs lr (adding more slowly)
9" corallife light
(2-9" 9watt 6700 PC daylights)
2-small chaeto's (adding more as i find plants)
Tank life:
Cleaning crew
(5-horseshoe crabs)
(10-blue leg hermits)
(5-redleg hermits)
(1-cleaner shrimp)
(1-arrow crab)
Fish (just had a 2/3 wipe out cause i did something very stupid)
currently have:
2-yellow tangs
1-blue tang
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
Originally Posted by vejomatic
Squidd, so...would i be "ill epuipted with just the Emporer 400 and my LR as Filtration...or are you saying that the tank would outgrow that system and it would be best to jump straight to a sump/fuge?
I didn't have to say that...you did... :D
SSB= Shallow Sand Bed
 
shiby1510

shiby1510

Member
I would definately go with a sump/fuge setup...
squid i thought it was recommended to have a DSB...
in my mt i have about 4"
and same in my fuge...
is this bad??? :help:
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
Set up and "maintained" properly, with enough surface area to be effective and a full compliment of micro flora and fauna (bugs, worms, pods and several sets of bacteria)...DSBs can be a good thing...
If your aware of the needs of a DSB and are prepared to meet them, it might work fine...
As per the above post ...those are "MY" thoughts on filtration and I prefer the Bare Bottom Main tank and SSB in the Algal Scrubber/Fuge...
 
fuax

fuax

Member
I have to agree with squidd i have a very thin sand bed in my main tank and 1 inch one in my refuge.
Seems to work very well for me anyway
 
shiby1510

shiby1510

Member
Like I said before I was unaware about the needs of a DSB can someone please tell me... I understood it as only a good thing... should I take some sand out?? would this be a good idea??? My tank is still cycling... so it probably would not stir too much up I guess.. some expert advise needed!! thanks!! :help:
 
squidd

squidd

Active Member
A DSB is only as good as the populations of microflora and fauna keeping it "Alive" and proccessing waste...
If not set up, allowed to mature and maintained properly, they are nothing more than a deep sand "trap" for excess nutrients...
Do a "search" on DSBs in the reef forum for information on proper care and feeding of a DSB...There are a "few" people running them successfully and properly and perhaps they can fill in the needed details...
 
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