Advice on my 100G FOWLR tank plan!!

Hello everyone! As you can see my large thread on my 80G reef plan. This set-up is a little easier and shorter lol. It is as follows:

100G FOWLR Glass tank. (Pref. bowfront and pre-drilled for sump)

Sump/Fuge - Same question as reef. Good size? I'm thinking maybe 40G or so for sump. Good size for fuge?

Skimmer - Good one for moderate price?

RO/DI unit and Chiller - Necessary? More cost effective on RO/DI unit getting by the gallon at LFS?

Fuge - Whats the best stuff to fill it with? Sand? Mud? Live plants? Live rock?

Live sand - Any good brands or ones to stay away from?

Live Rock - So I'm thinking a combo of base rock and tukani live rock. Whats a good % for the two. How many lbs need for FOWLR?

Heater - Good Brands? Wattage?

Powerheads - I like the rio's and have seen alot of people using them. What model is best for 100G?

Lighting - MH? T5? H/O?

I will also post a thread in Trop fish section with my livestock options if you guys are interested!

Thanks for all the help guys i really appreciate it!!

-Ben

 

Hi, 100 gallon is a nice size tank, sump is the way to go, a good skimmer take a look at the aquac remora, good hob skimmer, great reviews, or even a deltec.
A chiller may be necessary if your going to use metal halides, you would get away with a quality t5 pendant if your only going to have a fowlr, but be warned you may get the coral bug eventually , many do, i did and could have yourself a full blown reef setup, think very carefully what you want, if it turns out to be corals eventually then i would go with metal halides, live rock half cured and half base is a good idea and cheaper too, have used a few power heads and nothing comes close to the koralia's magnet type of course.
Hope this helps, i'm sure somebody else will chime in.

Good luck..

 

Ok Ben, here goes my opinion as to what you should get as I would do the same thing...
Sump is a great idea! Offers ya increased surface area and volume plus a way of incorporating a refugium into your system as well.
Skimmer...don't skimp here! Go with the Aqua C EV 120 or 180!
Fuge-all of the above mentioned
Live sand issue, go with the oolitic aragonite or comporable, NOT standard sand(ie. playground Home Depot type)!
Any base rock will become live in time. Base rock is also less expensive! However, Tonga rock is or can be very porous, hence very light making it the best possible secenario for increasing surface area for biological filtration and living animals to reside. I would skip the base rock and select larger pieces of the porous light weight pieces as they are awesome and cheaper in the long run.
Heater-300watt or so titanium/underwater model.
Powerheads-go with the new Hydor Koralia that attach via magnet to your glass! Great product with the ability to move them around to get the best water flow.
Lighting! I am partial to metal halides as these will allow you to diversify and add basically any type of corals, should this opportunity exist down the road. You won't want to have to go out and purchase new lights shortly when the FOWLR tank doesn't complete your goals and visions and reefdom overtakes your mentality.
Good luck and hope this helps somewhat!
Remember, that your best defense is to learn as much as you can, prepare, go slow and continue to learn and enlighten yourself for the best chance of success and that of the livestock that relies on your actions and knowledge for their health and ability to thrive in your aquarium!

 

+2 to CR, Good sound advice.