fowlr setup, need advice please

oracledba72

oracledba72

Member
I've decided to do a fowlr setup after reading many different posts and researching. I don't want a reef because of the cost of live rock. I just want fish only with a little live rock/sand.
A few questions if anyone would care to answer:
My tank is 65 gal. so how much live sand vs. southdown sand should I add?
Where is the best place to get the southdown sand?
What kind of live sand should I get?
How much will the live sand cost and how much will the southdown sand cost?
How much LR should I get? Can i get away with just some base rock, and about 10 lbs. live rock?
Should I just go fish only with no live rock?
Should I remove my Crushed coral and UGF?
Sorry for all the questions, but i'm still confused.
I basically want a fairly easy setup, not to flashy, not to expensive, but cool looking with cool fish. : )
Here is my current setup:
65 gal. all-glass
1 emperor 280
2 penguin 550's
1 visitherm 200w heater
1 underground filter
50 pounds atlantic crushed coral
Misc. rocks for decoration (not Live rock)
Thanks,James
 
amphiprion

amphiprion

Member
Originally posted by oracledba72:<strong>I've decided to do a fowlr setup after reading many different posts and researching. I don't want a reef because of the cost of live rock. I just want fish only with a little live rock/sand.A few questions if anyone would care to answer:My tank is 65 gal. so how much live sand vs. southdown sand should I add
Are you going with a DSB - deep sand bed - for filtration? You would need around 120# for a 4" sand bed. I would then add around 10# of live sand to innoculate it.
Where is the best place to get the southdown sand?Southdown sand is available at Home Depot, but not all areas of the country carry it. You can also use Quickcrete Playsand. Just make sure it says playsand on the label.
What kind of live sand should I get?
Try buying some from your local fish store - most will sell you a few pounds. If not, than any live rock you get will also over time enliven your sand bed.
How much will the live sand cost and how much will the southdown sand cost?Hard to answer - around here play sand runs $2-3/50# bag. Live sand can be anywhere up to 6.99/lb
How much LR should I get? Can i get away with just some base rock, and about 10 lbs. live rock? Yes you can get away with some live rock, and some base rock. For your size tank though, I would get at least 30# of live rock. Fish do not like barren tanks - they need places to hide and feel safe. You will have better luck is you put in minimum of 75# of live/base rock.
Should I just go fish only with no live rock?You can but remember fish don't do well in barren tanks.
Should I remove my Crushed coral and UGF? YES!!!Big time nitrate producers both
Sorry for all the questions, but i'm still confused.
I basically want a fairly easy setup, not to flashy, not to expensive, but cool looking with cool fish. : )
Here is my current setup:
65 gal. all-glass
1 emperor 280
2 penguin 550's
1 visitherm 200w heater
1 underground filter
50 pounds atlantic crushed coral
Misc. rocks for decoration (not Live rock)
Thanks,James</strong><hr></blockquote>
 
pancho

pancho

Member
here is what i have on my 90g
2 powerheads (1150)
1 magnum 350 canister
1 bio-wheel 330
1 uv sterilizer (hooked up to the magnum)
1 aqua clear 500
and maybe a few pounds of live rock
 
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