I'm going to start my first FOWL tank. please help!

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mudbuttjones

mudbuttjones

Fire Eel
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Jul 29, 2014
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OK, I've been a long time freshwater guy. I have a 36x18" freshwater planted tank that needels a serious overhaul. i am finally going to take the saltwater plunge. I'm going to describe my setup and I'm looking for pointers. trial and error is too expensive with some of the equipment and livestock involved. it will be a FOWLR tank, no inverts or corals.

tank - 65 gallon (36x18 footprint)
beananimal overflow - 3 drains
crushed coral or argonite sand
30 or 40 breeder sump
filter sock(s) for mechanical filtration
500-600gph return pump
2 powerheads in the display (500gph?)
40-60 pounds live rock
protein skimmer rated for a 125-180g
refugium with chaeto algae
deep sand bed in sump (maybe?)
reverse osmosis filter for my sink
RO auto top off reservoir for sump
6000k LED fixture, cheapo ebay model

stock will be 2-3 clownfish. i hate to be "that guy" but my 3 year old is obsessed with finding nemo. clownfish are hardy beginner fish. don't worry I know that blue tangs are no good for my setup.

with this kind of bioload could i expect to get away with 20% water changes every month and weekly cleaning of the skimmer and filter socks? my FW tanks are low maintenance, and I'd like to see how "bad" saltwater really is for maintenance..
 
They aren't bad maintenance wise, they are a bit tougher, but seem to have a bad rep in the freshwater circles. Also don't worry about "being" that guy, you have to keep what you like. I have an ocellaris clownfish and he's great. As far as the water change you may be able to get away with that as your bioload is pretty small. I do about 10% per week. I would just keep an eye on the parameters and if they start to get out of line you may need to increase your changes a bit (but not much).
 
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mudbuttjones said:
OK, I've been a long time freshwater guy. I have a 36x18" freshwater planted tank that needels a serious overhaul. i am finally going to take the saltwater plunge. I'm going to describe my setup and I'm looking for pointers. trial and error is too expensive with some of the equipment and livestock involved. it will be a FOWLR tank, no inverts or corals.

tank - 65 gallon (36x18 footprint)
beananimal overflow - 3 drains
crushed coral or argonite sand
30 or 40 breeder sump
filter sock(s) for mechanical filtration
500-600gph return pump
2 powerheads in the display (500gph?)
40-60 pounds live rock
protein skimmer rated for a 125-180g
refugium with chaeto algae
deep sand bed in sump (maybe?)
reverse osmosis filter for my sink
RO auto top off reservoir for sump
6000k LED fixture, cheapo ebay model

stock will be 2-3 clownfish. i hate to be "that guy" but my 3 year old is obsessed with finding nemo. clownfish are hardy beginner fish. don't worry I know that blue tangs are no good for my setup.

with this kind of bioload could i expect to get away with 20% water changes every month and weekly cleaning of the skimmer and filter socks? my FW tanks are low maintenance, and I'd like to see how "bad" saltwater really is for maintenance..
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Saltwater maintenance is not difficult and your API Saltwater test kit will be great to have. Monitor your water parameters weekly after the aquarium completely cycled and you can figure out if the 20% is enough.
 
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thank you for the replies. I'm hoping with a small bioload and a large tank that i can minimize water changes. ofcourse i will never know until it's setup and I'm doing regular testing.

I'm spoiled. my FW tanks have been set up for years. i have a solid schedule that works and I haven't done testing in ages.

saltwater is a different discipline. it'll take me a long time to get that comfortable
 
Fish only tank is easy especially your stocking with those tiny fishes but I don't recommend trio clownfish though, get a pair and done with it. :) Also, take a look of Yellow Watchman Goby and Tiger Pistol Shrimp pair for your tank bottom area.
*When your tank mature enough and you got all your schedule down and understand inside out about saltwater chemistry then you can upgrade your light so you can add Anemone in your tank for your clownfish pair.
*Lastly, take it slow and you will success, rush it you will FAIL HARD.
 
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Yuki Rihwa said:
Fish only tank is easy especially your stocking with those tiny fishes but I don't recommend trio clownfish though, get a pair and done with it. :) Also, take a look of Yellow Watchman Goby and Tiger Pistol Shrimp pair for your tank bottom area.
*When your tank mature enough and you got all your schedule down and understand inside out about saltwater chemistry then you can upgrade your light so you can add Anemone in your tank for your clownfish pair.
*Lastly, take it slow and you will success, rush it you will FAIL HARD.
Click to expand...

Do you find the pair of the tiger Pistol Shrimp and Watchman Goby work well? I have a Yellow Watchman Goby and I never see him.
 
Fowlr isn't too bad. Definitely more up keep than your average FW tank, but honestly its pretty close to discus etc. The waste of water from the ro unit is what got me out of it

Take your time with your live rock. Reef saver is some good stuff and not that expensive.
 
Itsadeepbluesea said:
Do you find the pair of the tiger Pistol Shrimp and Watchman Goby work well? I have a Yellow Watchman Goby and I never see him.
Click to expand...
It's all depend on your rock work setup, if the pair choose some burrow out of sight then you don't see them much, other than that they are interest to see them busy at their burrow watch out for each other.
 
looks like you have a good plan, 2 clownfish though.....they dont do well other than pairs unless you have a huge tank
 
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