FOWLR tank

[jamest0o0]

I am just looking around at different things on FOWLR tanks because I hope to some day set a large one up.... but anyway does anyone ever use live plants in their FOWLR tanks.... if so what are their advantages and disadvantages?

[welsher7]

some people do have macro algae in there fowlr. The advantages would be it may make your tank look more natural and it will also help export nutrients. It couls also out compete problem algaes for food supply. The down side might be that it may get eaten or that it will have to be harvested to remove the nutrients. Thats just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are many more pros and cons.

[myerst2]

I use lots of macros in my tank. Most of which I collect at local beaches. I also have halimedia, red ogo(sp), green string stuff, dont know the names of plants that well. The plants seem to be very beneficial to my emp. angel, foxface, and my mappa puffer. I never knew mappa puffers eat macros but he loves them. It's important to watch that they don't die and rot in the tank. If so remove them asap. I don't understand why most people with Fowlr tanks don't keep macros like I do. I can't see any negative reasons besides them rotting and not removing them before they cause a waste issue. Regards, Tim

[jamest0o0]

yeah I was just planning on possibly setting up a 200g FOWLR tank because I have the room and SW tanks are addicting haha... and I was thinking to my self are there any big disadvantages to having plants in a FOWLR tank? plus it would look pretty cool..


but anyway thanks!!!

[Spence3307]

myerst2, I pm'ed you for some info

[jda]

If you use a rooting type of algae it could take over and you will never be rid of it. This can be a problem.

Floaing algae like chaeto doesn't do that well in tanks since it moves around.

Some fish will just destroy it - even if they don't eat it. I had a gunea fowl puffer that would just chew up nori, chaeto, etc. and spit it out.

Also keep in mind that you will need near reef quality water for algae to thrive long-term. I am not talking about just low amounts of PO4 and NO3, but also adequate trace and major minerals/elements. If you grow calcium based algae, then your calcium/alk demand will be very high. In regard to the NO3 and PO4 levels, the algae alone will likely not be enough to keep the water completely low on PO4 and NO3 so you will have to lower stocking levels, change a lot of water and get a huge skimmer.

It can be as much trouble as a reef. If anybody has ever had a freshwater planted tank, then they will know what I am talking about.