fowlr filtration debate

[BigO6687]

I've heard many different things of filtration for fowlr tanks, one of them being
"80% of your filtration is your live rock, then comes your skimmer and then fuge" + all of this stuff that bacterial based systems (wet drys/regular filtration) are bad

then i've heard that tanks that rely on live rock are bound to crash, but if so, then why would one need live rock other than for coralline algae and homes for fish?

please add to the debate, thanks

 

[dmopar74]

theres more than one way to skin a cat....

whatever that means.

 

[Heathd]

Your sand bed is going to be the best source of your bacterial filtration. Live rock, as a reefer, is structure for corals with the added benefit of bio filtration.

I have a 4 inch sand bed, about 110lbs of LR, and a planted fuge. No mechanical filtration, no skimmer.

Some thing tells me that may not work so well for a pred tank.

 

[Ozkar]

I've heard many different things of filtration for fowlr tanks, one of them being
"80% of your filtration is your live rock, then comes your skimmer and then fuge" + all of this stuff that bacterial based systems (wet drys/regular filtration) are bad

then i've heard that tanks that rely on live rock are bound to crash, but if so, then why would one need live rock other than for coralline algae and homes for fish?

please add to the debate, thanks

Maybe depends on quantity of fish stock? - Rely on wet dry for reducing ammonia and nitrites, and live rock for nitrate reduction to reduce water changes needed. Not sure on this... never had a fowlr tank, but am thinking of starting one.

 

[fhawk362]

I say stick with what you know. I wouldnt risk something I dont know enough about, but thats just me, better safe than sorry.

 

[Zoodiver]

In a fish only tank, you need to think mechanical filter more than anything. If you phyically pull the crap out of the water prior to it breaking down, you need less biological media (rock/sand etc...) to grow bacteria on.

Of course I feel the same way about any tank. The more mechanical filtration you have (canisters, pt skimmers, sandfilters etc...) the better off you'll be.

A thick sand bed is a great place to harbor anaerobic bacteria. Not something I'd ever want in my system. Avoid dead zones in thick sand or big rock structures. Good flow is key.

 

[mos90]

i agree with Zoo. i like to over filter. i like the idea of a fuge to minimize water changes. i feel a skimmer is always nice to have, especially if u are overstocked.

 

[yogurt_21]

i'm more of an AND type of person myself so live rock, yes, fuge, yes, skimmer, yes, wet/dry, yes.

so good mechanical to take care of the extra waste that larger fish provide being that I'm building a 450g fowlr I'm going to need enough mechanical to keep up with the waste that 12-24" fish put out.

live rock for it's filter properties and to give hiding spots, saves on decoration costs as well.

fuge for those pesky nitrates and to grow some pretties as an added bonus.

protein skimmer because they do their job well and water clarity is easier to maintain with them.

now there are other pieces of equipment that I may skip on like a phosphate filter but the above I think are the basics.

 

[FLESHY]

Its tshirt time...no really...Lots of nice LR...sump/fuge...and AQUAC skimmers. No issues. Ever.