Gearing up for the saltwater world FOWLR plans

[ta_man1]

Hello,

I looking for some input on my plans for jumping into the saltwater world. I do realize some of my questions will have been answered in other posts but I find it easier to keep it case specific in my own post.

My proposed equipment list is as follows.

36 gallon bow front tank and stand, included in this kit is a Quiet flow 30 Power filter a full fluorescent hood and a 200 watt heater.
1 or 2 Aquarian 500 circulation pumps
Coralife Super Skimmer 65
API Saltwater master test kit
Instant ocean hydrometer ( I do realize a refractor is more accurate but trying to keep a budget and will be easier to upgrade later )
5 gallon pail of Instant ocean sea salt
40lbs of Carib Sea Ocean Live Sand
25lbs of BRS Reef saver rock
12lbs of Totoka Live Rock

For a QT tank I was thinking a 5 gallon with heater and fill from the QT as needed for new fish or hospital.

For water one of my local Meijer has a RO water station, not sure if it DI or not.

My plan is to set up the tank with the water, sand, and reef saver rock, after the live rock cures I will then add that to the tank then wait until the tank cycles before adding livestock.

My stock list is far from complete but I feel I have time to fully decide as from my research I will have 4-5 weeks before I can add fish, and then only one or two at a time per month but other than CUC I plan on having two false clowns, 1 royal grammar and that is where I have ran into a roadblock as I am still researching compatibility as well as tank size issues.

Any suggestions or recommended changes would be welcome.

Thank You

 

[one-fish]

Sounds like you have done your homework like what I see and Welcome to the Saltwater world..

 

[2quills]

You could simply cure the rock in the tank as it cycles and save some time.

 

[lmforbis]

I'd recommend pukani instead of reef saver. Pukani costs a bit more but is not as dense. It is easier to work with and you won't need as much because an piece of pukani weighs much less than the same sized piece of reef saver.
There was another person posting about starting the same sized tank. Give it a read the advise will be the same.

 

[geridoc]

Good plans! But a couple of suggestions for you to think about:

1. Instead of a single 200w heater, consider two 100w units. That way, if one dies, you still have some heat, and if one fails in the ON position (not an uncommon occurrence) it won't be enough to cook the tank.
2. You say cost is a consideration (when is it not?). A skimmer is not really necessary for a FOWLR system. At any rate, several folks around here don't like the Coralife skimmer anyway, so you could save a few $$$ there.

 

[jay0705]

Agreed with above. Avoid coralife products. There not made anymore its all over stock. You don't need a skimmer for fowlr. None of my tanks have one. I am looking at one now tho bc i upgraded a tank and may try coral.

 

[ta_man1]

Based on the above suggestions I am making a few changes to my list.

Add two 100w heaters - Back when I had freshwater tanks I did have a couple fail.
Remove the skimmer for now
Switch to a refractor using the $$$ I would have used on the skimmer
Add a GFCI outlet near the area the tank will be. - I forgot about that I didn't even have it on my list.