How can you not want a reef tank?
- Thread starter lil.guppy
- Start date
crimzy
Active Member
I think it's just that people either have fish that are incompatible with reefs, or that they don't have the system set up for a reef. A lot of people can't or just don't want to spend the extra $$ to do a reef right. You can make a beautiful FOWLR much easier and less expensive than a reef. And in general, it's easier to maintain the health of a FOWLR. JMO.
reefaholic33
Member
I love my reef but in all reality there is so, so many fish I want that I can't have. And in my opinion prolly the most impressive species, like large angels and what not. But corals are so impressive and interesting, and a whole new challenge, this is why I have my reef now. And to solve this problem gonna do a predator tank later this year. Why pick one lol...
matt boyer
Member
$$$$$$
pleasants9
Member
heck id love a reef but then ihave to upgrade my lights which is at min a couple hundred dollars, plus all the supplements you need for them to thrive, and then you have the fact that your always going to be adding reef inhabitants, you can always seem to fit more corals. As a college student is much more economical for the lights i had that use less energy and just keep 2-3 fish in my tank with seafood i can by cheap at publix.
chana
Member
I have both. I set up the reef first and wanted fish that are not compatible. Honestly I am getting more enjoyment out of the FOWLR tank. My reef is 90 gal and I have always kept only 3 fish in to keep excellent water quality. The fish only tank is 265 gal and I will be able to keep alot of fish in it!!
seeinstars89
Member
My first tank we did not have a reef because we had angel fish, but for the new one we are doing reef. I enjoy it alot but I am really going to miss my angel fish.... They are some of my favorites...
stanlalee
Active Member
Because the coolest fish arent reef safe (Eels, Angels, Triggers, Butterfly's, Puffers ect). since you cant have most of those in a small tank reef is the way to go but in a large tank you have decisions to make the least of which is the expense of lighting, maintaining and the never ending stocking of a large reef aquarium.
K
kikithemermaid
Guest
I'm a poor college student, that's why.
U
usirchchris
Guest
Reefs seem like they require too much work and patience to me. 0 nitrates...dose this and that...test 10 different things...I would never be able to enjoy it. Alkalinity is too high...calcium is too low....I like the fishes they are relaxing
pbnj
Member
I think my tank is so much more stable since I went Reef. Probably due to the fact that I had a tendency to overstock when it was a FOWLR.
With FOs, once you reach capacity, there's nothing more you can do/add to the tank. The only thing you can do is watch the same fish grow.
With Reefs, you're only limited by the space in your tank. Plus there's so much enjoyment and entertainment with fragging and swapping.
With FOs, once you reach capacity, there's nothing more you can do/add to the tank. The only thing you can do is watch the same fish grow.
With Reefs, you're only limited by the space in your tank. Plus there's so much enjoyment and entertainment with fragging and swapping.
aquaknight
Active Member
I think crimzy is spot on. It's not really common to see any full reefs over like 180gal, but because the tendency of FOWLR to be cheaper, you see many FOWLRs over 125gal.
aquaknight
Active Member
I think crimzy is pretty spot on. For a large, full reef, 180gal+, it definitely costs a good coin. This is why most reefs are 120gal/under. With FOWLRs, the tendency is being able to run the tank cheaper, which allows a bigger tank from the get go, which is able to house typically more desirable fish.
Perhaps this is way I find predator reefs to be the among the most fascinating tanks out there.
Perhaps this is way I find predator reefs to be the among the most fascinating tanks out there.
crhawkeye
New Member
Easy solution to this situation, get 2 tanks. I agree with most of previous posts. Now people will say that just doubles your cost. I disagree, it prevents you from stocking and going too quick. Add a little in this tank, add a little to the other tank. It's slower and healthier.
