clowns setup

[president89]

I want to have several tanks. Each one consisting of a pair of different species of Clowns. All will be fowlr.

Should I go with a centralized system with a shared sump? This may be more cost effective as I could have one large skimmer and 2 or 3 heaters. But on the downside if I get some disease on one fish it could spread to the entire system.

Or should I just use seperate tanks and seperate equiptment. I can't afford to buy 7 or 8 skimmers so thats out of the question. Can I get by without a skimmer and just a hang on filter?

 

[ClownNut]

one centralized system + a small system(with LR and skimmer) for new clowns.
once the clowns passed the QT process, the chance they get sick is almost close to 0.

 

[NbMaxx13]

I have 4 different types of clowns as of right now and I will be getting my 5th (pink skunks) eventually ...In my opinon if the system is stable and you use a QT system then the risk is minimal .. I would run them together if this is at all possible ...The added bonus of expanding your water volume will decrease the chances of a disease... If you are doing FOWLR then I will say this ... You will need a skimmer ...But I did keep my fowlr with good flow and 100 gal volume for over 2 years without a skimmer ... I know it is a no-no but I did it and then when I added a skimmer it was a bonus...

 

[president89]

I was going to use the rock as a biological filter. If I just loop the system with just a substrate, would that get rid of my need for a skimmer?