Need a little help with a FOWLR tank :p

Hi, I'm new here, and decided i would go ahead and start asking some questions.

I have a 55 Gallon tank with which i'm going to make a FOWLR tank. The Reason?

1) I've read the bigger the tank the easier to maintain
2) I've read that it is easier to begin without coral

Anyways the only things i currently have is the tank, the stand, and the lighting fixture.

The things i know i will need and know about

- two heaters
- thermomater
- Mag-float
- Master Test kit for saltwater
- hydrometer
- Live sand
- Power head
- Fish nets
- Tubs for mixing salt
- Salt Mix
- Pacients
Anyways, I need some help with a few Things.

I will be adding Live rock to the system, but how much do i need to add, and where is the best place to purchase it?

What type of filtration would be best for this system?

What else will I need.

Looking foward to see some responses. Thanks! Keep in mind i've never ran a saltwater aquarium, and will need a lot of help

 

it will be cheaper for you to use dry sand and dry rock. it will become live over time. just put a start of a freinds sand (a cup or two) and mabey a few pieces of live rock

 

one to two lbs per gal of rock is what i have always heard. more is better, depends on the look you want.

 

Welcome! Good idea on starting with the FOWLR if it's your first SW tank, it will be a lot easier to transition to corals. Maintaining a FOWLR will help you with SW husbandry and also is less demanding on the wallet than a reef tank (mainly due to lighting and additive dosing for corals + the cost of corals as you become addicted and want them all).

- I would go with a refractometer over a hydrometer, they're a lot more accurate.

- For Live Rock I would get a total amount of 60-75lbs. The more good rock you have, the better your biological filtration will be. You can do a mix of Live Rock and Base Rock to save on $ but honestly I was impatient and the more good quality live rock you put in, the faster your tank will cycle. I did like 60lbs of LR and 20lbs of Dry Rock, I honestly had an overnight cycle.

- You will need to get a skimmer, IMO you don't need any other filtration other than a skimmer and your live rock. It's up to you if you want a sump, it's def easier to hide equipment and add water capacity with a sump, but it is extra expense. You will also need to understand how to plumb the sump correctly to avoid any little floods or leaks. You can get a good HOB skimmer but the ones I like are pricey like the Deltec MCE 600 ($500+).

- A good clean up crew of snails and crabs will take care of your tank in terms of the debris, waste, etc.

- look into 2 Koralia Evolution pumps for circulation rated at 750gph each, that's what I had on my 55g.

- I had 60lbs of sand in my tank also, was a good amount

- shoot for 5g water changes a week, you'll need just a 5g bucket and a powerhead and heater to mix the water overnight at least. It's 2.5 cups of salt per 5g so it's pretty easy to just throw a maxi-jet in the bucket and mix with the salt.

- if you can afford an RO/DI unit, buy one. The foundation of your tank is your water and tap water may give you algae probs down the line. RO/DI is 100% pure water and will give you a much better start with your tank. If you can't get a unit, try to buy RO/DI water from your LFS at least.

- #1 rule in this hobby, BE PATIENT, don't rush through anything. Research the live stock you want before buying anything, make sure things are compatible, make sure your tank is large enough to support a fish at adult size, let your tank cycle completely before adding anything. Ask question on 3reef, we will help you as best as we can!

Here's a pic of my old 55g reef (that started as a FOWLR pictured) that ran just on a good skimmer (which had a media compartment for carbon/Phosphate remover), the 2 Koralia's, 300w heater, and Live Rock.

Best of luck!

 

I would agree with getting a refractometer over a hydrometer and getting a skimmer (as already mentioned above.

I do have a comment on the live rock though. I found, for a complete beginner in saltwater, was was VERY happy to go with baserock. Sure the cycle took longer, but it's a great practice of patience. The big plus of base rock (besides the price) is not having to worry about bad hitchhikers. I am new to the hobby, and am using base rock. I love knowing that there is nothing in my tank that I is bad that I dont want there. And being new, I didnt want to trust myself correctly identify pests while I had a whole bunch of other stuff to worry about!

Just something to keep in mind!

Good Luck!

 

My 55 gallon seems to be different,

its dem. are

36 wide
24 high
12 wide..

Is this tank even worth using...?