LFS suggestions for a FOWLR

[Tbrew]

So my LFS suggested that I can get away without a drilled tank for a FOWLR by using a 125 gallon AGA tank, 3 x Magnum 350 deluxe canister filters and a hang on the back Sea Clone Skimmer. Does this sound legit to you guys?

[AIMFish]

Sure you can "get away" with doing less but is it worth cutting corners and doing things the least expensive way possible? That said the most expensive isn't the best in every situation either, but I'd get a drilled tank any day over a standard. A nondrilled tank is so limited on what you can do.

[Tbrew]

thanks for the fast reply.

[XtrmCHoPZ]

Sounds like your LFS is trying make some $$$$$$$$$. First of all......3 Magnum 350's. at retail LFS price ranges to about $200!!! $600 or so in canister filters!!!! Then he suggested the worst protein skimmer ever invented??!! THe Seaclone is no more than a tube that had "some" bubbles in it. It stinks at skimming, honestly, any one who knows their stuff will tell you!


Spend a little more and get the drilled, dont mess with all that hang on filtration, a sump will be much better! Personally theres no way I would spend money on those canisters and that skimmer.

[Tbrew]

Yeah, my wife and I decided we're going to wait for our taxes and do the tank right. Drilled 125 or bigger with a sump. Can someone point me in the right direction as to what filtration I should put in the sump? I plan on using close to 100 lbs of LR and a sand bed.

[billsreef]

What sort of fish do plan on stocking in that tank? Depending on fish load, the LR and sand bed might be sufficient for biological filtration. In which case you just need a good protein skimmer and some carbon running in the sump. It doesn't need to be complicated ;)

[Tbrew]

Dogface puffer, lion of some sort and whatever suggestions i find on RC forums

[Petstorejunkie]

I would do a puffer, a russel's lion (i wuv dem), and a smaller tang, like a purple.
deep sand bed with agressives can get messy though. but you can do one remotely, that's what ive done :)

[luke33]

I would go with a drilled. I have a 125 nondrilled tank, and have a overflow with a 25g sump and 20g fuge. It works fine, so you can go without the drilling, its just a much cleaner look to have a drilled tank. As for the pet store.....there goin after a sale and not help. I would suggest purchasing your equipment online at a store like www.premiumaquatics.com its much cheaper, and they have promotional sales all the time. Dogface puffers are a great fish for a newbie, as they are tough and full of personality. I think mine is great! And yes, you don't need a mechanical filter, i do have some filter floss in my sump, but replace it often. Just make sure you have alot of flow, you'll need 10-15x which you can get from powerheads and sump. Good luck and welcome to a great hobby!

[TropTrea]

I will agree with the live rock, sand , and protein skimmer however the carbon filter is realy debatable. Carbon to me is an option that you can run only when needed because something else went wrong.

However "I'm a strong beleiver in Refugiums. Especialy if you have a good amount of macro algea in it it can realy do wonders to your system and act basicly as a chemical filter with the plant life using up the excess nutrements that could easily fowl up your system.

That leaves only the issue of mechanical filteration. In the salt water worls I would say less than 5% of us even use mechanical filteration.

Dennis




<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8948673#post8948673 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by billsreef
What sort of fish do plan on stocking in that tank? Depending on fish load, the LR and sand bed might be sufficient for biological filtration. In which case you just need a good protein skimmer and some carbon running in the sump. It doesn't need to be complicated ;)

[clekchau]

just suggesting the seaclone should be a red flag to stay away

[Monkeyfish]

Using a drilled tank with a sump will give you more options filtration wise. IMO partition out the sump with baffles and get an in-sump skimmer (the best you can afford - CSS, AMS, etc.) put a six inch sand bed with some rubble and macros in the middle, make a bubble trap and then a compartment for your return.

As for carbon - can't hurt but might not be necessary. I always run carbon to keep the water clear and to help with filtration. I usually recommend either purigen, chemi-pure or black diamond brand. Get the largest sump you have room for - more water = better tank ecology. When all else fails, as Anthony Calfo says, "the solution to pollution is dilution!"

[TropTrea]

I cannot stress the poiint that the bigger the refugium the better. I had about 20 gallons on my 75 gallon reef, and for my 120 gallon reef I'm going to a 70 gallon refugium.

My sump will be completly sepearate though. For that I'm going with 30 gallons. That should work with an outo top off of Kalk.

Dennis


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8956400#post8956400 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Monkeyfish
. Get the largest sump you have room for - more water = better tank ecology. When all else fails, as Anthony Calfo says, "the solution to pollution is dilution!"