I'm thinking of setting up a 125gal for my first saltwater tank and I'm really focused on staying very clean starting off with a fowlr setup.My fiiltration consist of an fx5 an aquaclear 110 and a emperor 400 also gonna purchase a hangon the back protein skimmer. Wondering if this is a good start on filtration? As I purchase live rock what are my light requirements in order to keep my live rock alive and seeding my tank does live rock need high light? Could I start it off bare bottom for awhile until water levels stabilize and I get a basic routine down and learn the marine process? Ok with fish I'm thinking of medium size schooling fish I would like a group what do you think any suggestions? Thanks for any help anyone can give me
advice first timer
- Thread starter mcayla cierra
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The only filtration I use on my tanks is a protein skimmer. You really don't need all the other filtration. It's ok but I'd start with a good protein skimmer. If you're looking for a HOB type then the coralife super skimmers are pretty good. I'd go with the 220 model for your tank, they tend to over rate their skimmers. There's not really any light requirements for live rock, and yes you can start out with just a bare bottom tank. Depending on what type of live rock you get, your tank can cycle pretty fast. Try and find some rock locally that is coming out of a well established system to really help "seed" the tank with beneficial bacteria.
As bioneck stated, go with a really good quality skimmer, the best you can aford. Live rock will not need very high light. If you want to add corals later on, then lighting will become a critical requirement as most corals need a good amount of light.
My only other advice would be to really read-up on filteration. There are a lot of pros and cons of using cannister or HOB filters on a SW tank. Just make you are aware of them to make sure your set-up is best suited for you as well as your stock. A lot of poeple only use live rock and a skimmer for filtration.
My only other advice would be to really read-up on filteration. There are a lot of pros and cons of using cannister or HOB filters on a SW tank. Just make you are aware of them to make sure your set-up is best suited for you as well as your stock. A lot of poeple only use live rock and a skimmer for filtration.
Although I use a berlin system for my reef (protein skimmer and powerheads for filtration, nothing else) the best means of filtration for a FOWLR tank is to sump it.
If your tank is drilled, this is easy. Otherwise you can get it drilled professionally, or you can buy a hang-on overflow.
I recommend use of a protein skimmer no matter what, but sumping keeps the aquarium looking cleaner, adds system volume, gives you a place to grow macros (for food and filtration), and do many other things. It is sort of the standard for SW filtration.
Stay away from companies that do much other than making skimmers. The best skimmers come from companies that focus on that.
My personal favorite, and I think the best beginner skimmer you could have would be an AquaC...look into their remora skimmer. Bigger skimmers are always better, especially in a FOWLR tank.
You will need lights on your tank to maintain your LR, probably not much though. Four 4ft tubes of T5 might even do it on a 125g.
If your tank is drilled, this is easy. Otherwise you can get it drilled professionally, or you can buy a hang-on overflow.
I recommend use of a protein skimmer no matter what, but sumping keeps the aquarium looking cleaner, adds system volume, gives you a place to grow macros (for food and filtration), and do many other things. It is sort of the standard for SW filtration.
Stay away from companies that do much other than making skimmers. The best skimmers come from companies that focus on that.
My personal favorite, and I think the best beginner skimmer you could have would be an AquaC...look into their remora skimmer. Bigger skimmers are always better, especially in a FOWLR tank.
You will need lights on your tank to maintain your LR, probably not much though. Four 4ft tubes of T5 might even do it on a 125g.