Need help setting up a FOWLR

[Deaner]

Hi there my tank is a 75 gallon corner tank. Currently it is brackish water with mollys in to cycle. At first i was convinced i was going to go with a puffer setup but, during this time ive been doing alot of research on brackish and salt setups. I have decided id like to go the salt route (FOWLR). I have a few issues that i think are going to cause problems in trying to go this route. Here are some questions that id really appreciate to be answered.

1. My tank has a 3" lip around it where the canopy/light fixture sits in, is there somehow i could fit in a overflow box? or will i have to drill the tank?

2. Before i go ahead and make a sump, what size of tank would you suggest in me using? Hoping i could fit it in the compartment underneath my tank to hide all the filtration. its roughly 22"x17"x24"

3. Currently the salinity is at 1.012, will i be able to raise this to full marine without destroying the bacteria that is built up so far?

4. Fluval 405 on the tank right now, but would plan on removing it eventually. Would it be smart for me to leave it on for a while after i introduce a wet/dry?

4. As of now i do not have a RO/DI unit, but plan on getting one in the near future, will i be able to get by without one for the first couple months? or is this a bad idea

All this said, I realize the tank is more geared towards a fresh water setup, but im determined to go salt. Have been out of the hobby for a few years but feel that im ready to take the next step. I have attached a few pictures of the setup so you can get a feel of what im talking about.

Thanks in advance

 

[alexx-w]

pretty tank, i dont have the knowledge to help you but keep me posted with how this goes!

 

[Deaner]

thanks, i really hope it works out.

 

[Pufferpunk]

What species of puffer? Look here for profiles & minimum tank size recommendations: http://www.**************.com/forum/ug.php/v/PufferPedia/Marine/

 

[Deaner]

sorry i didnt mean i want to still go with puffer. I want to do a community full marine tank. Not puffer at all.

 

[Deaner]

bump

 

[jacky]

Hi there my tank is a 75 gallon corner tank. Currently it is brackish water with mollys in to cycle. At first i was convinced i was going to go with a puffer setup but, during this time ive been doing alot of research on brackish and salt setups. I have decided id like to go the salt route (FOWLR). I have a few issues that i think are going to cause problems in trying to go this route. Here are some questions that id really appreciate to be answered.

1. My tank has a 3" lip around it where the canopy/light fixture sits in, is there somehow i could fit in a overflow box? or will i have to drill the tank?
A: I thank it will be better it you drill the tank, because with the 3" lip around it, will be hard to find a OFB for it.
2. Before i go ahead and make a sump, what size of tank would you suggest in me using? Hoping i could fit it in the compartment underneath my tank to hide all the filtration. its roughly 22"x17"x24"
A: I think you will be better off DIY a sump so you can find something that fit.
3. Currently the salinity is at 1.012, will i be able to raise this to full marine without destroying the bacteria that is built up so far?
A: I don't think that will hurt anything, just try to raise it slowly.
4. Fluval 405 on the tank right now, but would plan on removing it eventually. Would it be smart for me to leave it on for a while after i introduce a wet/dry?
A: Yes it will be smart to leave it runing for a while.
4. As of now i do not have a RO/DI unit, but plan on getting one in the near future, will i be able to get by without one for the first couple months? or is this a bad idea
A: If it is a FOWLR you will not need to have RO/DI if you want to use it, yes it will be fine for a few months. I keep FOWLR for years and never use RO/DI water.
All this said, I realize the tank is more geared towards a fresh water setup, but im determined to go salt. Have been out of the hobby for a few years but feel that im ready to take the next step. I have attached a few pictures of the setup so you can get a feel of what im talking about.

Thanks in advance

Have you though about selling your tank and get another one.( not corner tank) I think it will make life a little easier. If you want to keep the one you got, I hope that a help you a little.

 

[Deaner]

Have you though about selling your tank and get another one.( not corner tank) I think it will make life a little easier. If you want to keep the one you got, I hope that a help you a little.

thanks for the reply, im in the process of dismantling my whole tank and putting my filter media etc, in a smaller tank to try to keep some bacteria. i Figured if im going to do the fowlr, i may as well do it right, the first time. Going to call the local glass shop tomorrow to find out about getting the back of it drilled. Is there a standard size i should use for the overflow hole? will post some more pics after im done dismantling

 

[Patatl3]

First off... The salinity will have to go up I would drain the tank and start new with this project. You didnt say what type of salt you were using also. Def use marine salt like instant ocean, seachem, oceanic ect. Most saltwater fish can live in the 1.016-1.030.
But in home aquaria ive had the best luck with the range 1.023-1.026(that way you can keep cleaner shrimp and various other crusteaceans later down the road). Your bacteria will die off. So go and buy some Live sand or live rock to seed the tank. Check parameters reguarly to see if cycle has started and remember with no ammonia the nitrifying bac cant live so use a damsel or fish food to get things moving. i would change the substrate to sand or crushed coral and use lace rock live rock featherstone(all caclium carbonate based and will help keep PH up). use the 404 but PLEASE MOVE THAT POWER STRIP AWAY FROM IT!!! thats a fire waiting to happen also use the drip loop technique. Ive had many fluvals leak on me after wear and tear. I like Ehiem filters better. Cycles can take either a day or up to 2 months. let me know if you can any other question.

 

[Deaner]

finished draining the tank. going to just start over fresh and get a hole drill in the back for sump. hoping it fit the sump in the middle compartment under the tank. i guess its going to be a while before im setup again, got alot of work ahead of me. It will be worth it in the end tho!

also im using #5 chicken grit as subsrate, hoping this will become "live" eventually. its actually nice looking stuff, and cheap. got it from the local feed mill for about 15 dollars