Hello Everyone I'm New and Need Some Advice!

larry06

larry06

New Member
I have had a freshwater aquarium for years which housed african cichlids. I always wanted to do saltwater never wanted to pay the startup cost tho. Now I am really bored with the fish options in freshwater. I want to know if my setup I plan to go with is good for a FOWLR setup. I am not doing a sump due to space under my tank, plus the tank beign in the corner.
I have a 72 gallon Perfecto Corner Tank
Setup
Protein Skimmer- AquaC Remora Protein Skimmer with Maxi-Jet 1200 Pump (going with HOB skimmer due to space)
Filter- Fluval 406 or FX6 (is the FX6 worth the extra cost in this case?)
Substrate- live sand 80LB
Rock- 40 pounds of dry live rock and 30 pounds of wet live rock (more wet live rock will be added as time goes on)
Circulation- Hydor Koralia Evolution Aquarium Circulation Pump 550-600
Lighting- regular T5 ocean sun bulbs
Heater- any recommendations?
Any advise with this will be greatly appreciated!
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I like the idea of that corner tank.

I see no issues with using that tank.

Keep in mind that the ocean is more open than rivers and lakes and you need to scale down the stocking densities tremendously.
 
larry06

larry06

New Member
Bang Guy so you think my equipment will be sufficient enough?
Yes I know I will only be able to do a few fish, and have to be very careful with what I mix together.
 
geridoc

geridoc

Well-Known Member
IMHO the initial 70 lb of LR is sufficient. Adding LR later runs the risk of starting another cycle, to the detriment of your current stock.
 
larry06

larry06

New Member
IMHO the initial 70 lb of LR is sufficient. Adding LR later runs the risk of starting another cycle, to the detriment of your current stock.
Hmmm so I will try to do 85 pounds at the start. My goal is to have this tank very stable so I don't want to throw anything off later on.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
IMO The sand you plan to add will provide more than adequate filtration. If it were me I would stock the rock for aesthetic reasons so if 70 pounds looks good to you I see no reason to add more at this time.

I agree with GeriDoc that suddenly adding another 40 more pounds of uncured live rock is likely to cause a problem. Adding 5 more pounds once in a while probably wouldn't. So, perhaps we have different assumptions about what you mean by "more wet live rock will be added as time goes on".
 
larry06

larry06

New Member
IMO The sand you plan to add will provide more than adequate filtration.  If it were me I would stock the rock for aesthetic reasons so if 70 pounds looks good to you I see no reason to add more at this time.
I agree with GeriDoc that suddenly adding another 40 more pounds of uncured live rock is likely to cause a problem.  Adding 5 more pounds once in a while probably wouldn't.  So, perhaps we have different assumptions about what you mean by "more wet live rock will be added as time goes on".
What I meant was gradually over time I will add 5 pounds here and there, it wasn't anything I was set on so it's no big issue now that it was explained to me. Should I go with the Fluval 406 or Fx6?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry06 http:///t/397152/hello-everyone-im-new-and-need-some-advice#post_3538855
What I meant was gradually over time I will add 5 pounds here and there, it wasn't anything I was set on so it's no big issue now that it was explained to me. Should I go with the Fluval 406 or Fx6?

Hi,

Welcome to the site.

Either filter is good, so it's up to you and what you want, just make sure to do your maintenance and swap out the media once a month.

Since this is FOWLR...decorative macroalgae will not only add some color to the rocks, but help keep the water quality pristine.
 
3dees

3dees

Member
you don't need a filter. I have a 120 gal. with hob shimmer and no sump. live rock is the filter. just add some power heads. filters are nitrate factories if not cleaned frequently.
 
larry06

larry06

New Member
you don't need a filter. I have a 120 gal. with hob shimmer and no sump. live rock is the filter. just add some power heads. filters are nitrate factories if not cleaned frequently.
Wait no filter? How effective is this, I know that live sand and rock help with water quality but it's really that effective that I don't need a filter???
 
3dees

3dees

Member
correct. most reef tanks run without filters. sumps are used for many things but are not really filters. I have a canister filter from my fw days and will use it only if I need to run carbon or phosban for a while. set my tank up in August with 140 lbs. of live rock. I just started adding soft corals. I do 15% wc per week and have no nitrates.
 
larry06

larry06

New Member

I've never run a mechanical filter on a reef tank.
So the same would apply to a fish and live rock tank as well cool. Good to know that saves me a lot of money.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I would not call it a universal law because I can think of a few exceptions but for the most part, live sand can provide all of the filtration required.

If you want perfectly clear water a mechanical filter may be necessary but again, it depends.
 
larry06

larry06

New Member
I would not call it a universal law because I can think of a few exceptions but for the most part, live sand can provide all of the filtration required.
If you want perfectly clear water a mechanical filter may be necessary but again, it depends.
I will start with no filter and if I'm not happy with the water clearness I will add a filter.
 
3dees

3dees

Member
yeah, I get some floating crap which a filter would help clean up. you just have to be sure to clean the filter, I would say at least weekly. I know cannisters can be used as reactors. I'll be looking into that if I need to.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Interesting, I considered my sump system running a skimmer ... a filter. If I had known it wasn't a filter, I would have been too afraid to do it. It's been 2+ years, everything is still quite alive and happy.
 
scottbert

scottbert

Member
Whaaaaaaaaatttt???? No filter on a reef tank, really???? I would never have thought that the rock and sand would be enough.
 
3dees

3dees

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/397152/hello-everyone-im-new-and-need-some-advice#post_3538957
Interesting, I considered my sump system running a skimmer ... a filter. If I had known it wasn't a filter, I would have been too afraid to do it. It's been 2+ years, everything is still quite alive and happy.
ok, a skimmer is basically a filter, but I don't think anyone thinks skimmer when talking about filters. I have a hob reef octopus and I think skimmers are best for sw and especially coral, but people do run skimmerless tanks.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3dees http:///t/397152/hello-everyone-im-new-and-need-some-advice#post_3538976
ok, a skimmer is basically a filter, but I don't think anyone thinks skimmer when talking about filters. I have a hob reef octopus and I think skimmers are best for sw and especially coral, but people do run skimmerless tanks.


I have a bunch of macroalgae in both of my tanks, it's my main natural filter after the rock and sand. My 90g has a skimmer, but my 56g doesn't, and hasn't for over a year now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top