im really looking to change my 135 to a saltwater tank i wanna do a FOWLR but im not to familiar with the subject so i was wonder what i need to know and what supplies are necessary
changing to saltwater
- Thread starter someonestolemyname
- Start date
Alot of good info at the saltwater section at MFK.
I don't have too much info myself, but i do know you need a good protein skimmer; and good lights if you want your live rock to have a good coraline algae growth.
Sorry; that's all i got.
I don't have too much info myself, but i do know you need a good protein skimmer; and good lights if you want your live rock to have a good coraline algae growth.
Sorry; that's all i got.
prettymuch just a p skimmer unless you want coral in the future. were you planning on a few big fish or alot of smaller ones?
Alright, basically for a Fowlr you need the following:
Standard Lights (unless you want Corals)
Sump (Perferable)
Protein Skimmer (This is a must, get on rated for atleast 150-200gallons)
Powerheads (Get enough power heads to ensure enough flow to triple your tank in an hour, for instance if you have a 125gallon get enough powerheads to ensure you have around 1250gph, not including your return pump.)
Pumps (Skimmer pump, return pump)
Liverock (Both in the tank, and sump)
Refugium (Preferable, not needed, however is nice to have)
Substrate
Heaters (Obviously)
UV Sterilizer (Not needed, however nice to have)
With a FOWLR be prepared to do 20% water changes every two weeks, perferable 10% every week to ensure prestine water conditions. Every 2 weeks clean the substrate. And I would recommend a good clean up crew as well. I think I have gotten most of the basics down, if not someone please post up.
Standard Lights (unless you want Corals)
Sump (Perferable)
Protein Skimmer (This is a must, get on rated for atleast 150-200gallons)
Powerheads (Get enough power heads to ensure enough flow to triple your tank in an hour, for instance if you have a 125gallon get enough powerheads to ensure you have around 1250gph, not including your return pump.)
Pumps (Skimmer pump, return pump)
Liverock (Both in the tank, and sump)
Refugium (Preferable, not needed, however is nice to have)
Substrate
Heaters (Obviously)
UV Sterilizer (Not needed, however nice to have)
With a FOWLR be prepared to do 20% water changes every two weeks, perferable 10% every week to ensure prestine water conditions. Every 2 weeks clean the substrate. And I would recommend a good clean up crew as well. I think I have gotten most of the basics down, if not someone please post up.
thanks for the info brenden but does anyone know a good site for supplies and substrate/liverock and fish
liveaquaria, good but a little expensive in some regards. they do have really good deals on LR though.
'exposure' so they can be kept by fools who wanna keep them in bowls? i think not!
keep them for the MFK'ers
keep them for the MFK'ers
Can I recommend a skimmer?
We have a 220g Coralife Super Skimmer on our 75g reef tank right now and about to put one on our 90g fowlr.
I've heard they're not as efficient as the bakpaks but they're very simple, and as a beginner I think that's pretty important. We just got into saltwater and have had no problems with it, and I know quite a few fish stores that run them on their sumps.
They come with everything you need to run in, and you can run the waste into a bucket so you don't have to worry about the cup overflowing.
Also, I agree that a cleanup crew helps A LOT. So if you're gonna keep fish that won't eat your cleanup crew (like the trigger in my fowlr tank, hehe) then it would make your life a lot easier.
Btw, you don't absolutely need a sump, but if possible, I agree with brenden, that's the best idea. Skimmers look pretty ugly on the back of a tank, especially larger ones, and take up quite a bit of room. Extra water volume is also a nice thing to have, just like in FW.
And yes DON'T overlook the powerheads. Powerheads are even more important in SW since SW doesn't hold as much dissolved oxygen.
We have a 220g Coralife Super Skimmer on our 75g reef tank right now and about to put one on our 90g fowlr.
I've heard they're not as efficient as the bakpaks but they're very simple, and as a beginner I think that's pretty important. We just got into saltwater and have had no problems with it, and I know quite a few fish stores that run them on their sumps.
They come with everything you need to run in, and you can run the waste into a bucket so you don't have to worry about the cup overflowing.
Also, I agree that a cleanup crew helps A LOT. So if you're gonna keep fish that won't eat your cleanup crew (like the trigger in my fowlr tank, hehe) then it would make your life a lot easier.
Btw, you don't absolutely need a sump, but if possible, I agree with brenden, that's the best idea. Skimmers look pretty ugly on the back of a tank, especially larger ones, and take up quite a bit of room. Extra water volume is also a nice thing to have, just like in FW.
And yes DON'T overlook the powerheads. Powerheads are even more important in SW since SW doesn't hold as much dissolved oxygen.