Converting 125g FW to Salt FO... Filtration questions...

[20 20]

Like the thread title says, I've got a 125 gallon African cichlid tank I'm considering converting to a salt water 'fish only'. I've got a 6 month old 29 gallon reef, with a 15 gallon sump/fuge, Coralife SuperSkimmer 65, couple of powerheads for additional flow, the standard reef setup. I was considering the same type of setup for the 125, but in reading this forum, I see a lot of people do it differently, more closely to a fresh water. My 125 cichlid tank is a reef-ready tank, so I'm running a 30 gallon sump on it, with bio balls. I've also got an XP3 and an XP2 on it. From what I've read, I know I could just use that for filtering a FO saltwater tank, but I want to know what's the 'best' filtration for a FO saltwater tank. I know, I know, there probably is no 'best' way, just peoples 'favorite' way, but I'm just trying to do as much research as I can before I start. I'm now considering just using my current filtration on the tank, but losing the bio-balls, putting a skimmer in the sump, and using live rock in the main tank. A 'fish-list' I'm considering:

Flame Angelfish
BlueGreen Reef Chromis (4)
Powder Blue Tang
Triggerfish (Huma Picasso or Blue Throat)
Lawnmower Blenny
Harlequin Tusk
Foxface Lo

I would like a shallow sand bed for looks, maybe 1 to 2 inches. So, some questions.

In 'reefing' bio-balls are looked down upon as a nitrate factory, is that the current philosophy with FO tanks? Or do lots (or most) people use bio-balls?

I've also read that a lot of people don't use live rock in a FO tank. Why not? Should I go with maybe 100 pounds live rock? 50 pounds? 25? None?

I've read that a skimmer isn't really necessary, but is it beneficial at all in a FO or FOWLR tank? Somewhat beneficial? Greatly beneficial? Not beneficial at all?

UV sterilizer in a FO or FOWLR, somewhat beneficial? Greatly beneficial? Not beneficial at all?

I'm not against spending some money to 'do it right', but I don't want to spend money I don't have to. If the items in question above don't add much to the filtration, I wouldn't get them, but if they would help a decent amount, that's what I'd do. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[20 20]

Another question... Fuges? It would be easy for me to T off the sump return, and direct some of the water to a 10-15 gallon-ish tupperware type fuge, with a bulkhead cut into it for returning water to the sump. I've read differing opinions on the effectiveness of a fuge for a FO or a FOWLR, and will probably get more conflicting opinions here, but I'll ask anyway.

 

[Patchy]

*Dont apply sam nitrate rules from reefing to FO/FOWLR. you can have nitrate around 20ppm some even keep theres around 50ppm for high stock lists.

*LR is the best my opinion is to have it. looks great and helps with nitrate. so why use fake decorations?

* most people will tell you a skimmer is a must have. me personally i agree if you have a well to heavy stocked tank. helps keep that crap out of the water and alot more clearer when you got big messy eaters such as triggers.


i think your leaning towards a heavy stocked tank, but since you have a reef im sure your more than up to the work.

And im sure you know the tang and trigger will need a bigger home sometime. FOxface should be cool but would love more room in time

 

[20 20]

Thanks for the reply! Couple more questions, of course

You recommend LR. If I use 100 pounds of LR, with enough flow in the tank, along with the 30 gallon sump and a decent skimmer, can I do away with the XP2 and the XP3?

As far as the tang and trigger needing more room as they get older, from my research (basically LiveAquaria.com), the triggers need a minimun 70 gallon tank, and the tang needs a minimum 100 gallon tank. So, according to that website, they should fit nicely in my 125 gallon. But in your opinion, those fish need more than a 125 gallon tank? What size?

 

[alancolinet]

I don't think they will need anything bigger than 125 with your current setup and filtration. Have you researched the green chromis and their relative size in comparison to the trigger? I would hate to see those chromis disappear bc they were to small and the trigger saw them as a snack. The general rule for LR is 1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon as a good filtration check. This also depends on how poros the LR is. For a FOWLR tank I would recommend flow 10-15 times normal tank volume instead of the reef 20x and up. UV sterilizers can be used all the time BUT they may kill of beneficial bacteria as well which would also harm your fish, I would only use one if you noticed your fish getting sick. I would HIGHLY recommend a protein skimmer since most of those fish are messy eaters and w/out one the water quality would diminish more quickly. Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

 

[20 20]

I'll probably go with LR, but only 50-60 pounds, supplimented with 10 lbs of base rock. Take my time with stocking, etc. With that, the sump and a decent skimmer can I ditch the XP2 and XP3 canisters?

Another issue I'm worried about is algea control. Some of the fish I want will make quick snacks of snails, so I can't use them for 'cleanup'. Not being a reef, how much of an issue is this? Will a 10-15 gallon fuge with cheato in it help much?

 

[alancolinet]

It might help some having your fuge setup but in all reality the fuge is where the algea should develop considering its' purpose. The fuge's lighting should also be on during the night to minimize the pH drop that occurs during the night in case you didn't know. Also the fuges main purpose is to finish the nitrogen cycle by turning nitrates into nitrogen via the plants/algea that is located in the fuge, so having yours setup as you suggested would help. You could also just add a thin layer of argonite w/ 2-3 lbs of LR to the fuge and it should work fine. To help keep algea down in the main tank you could always use hermit crabs, the mexican red hermit crabs are the best on the market...hell they even eat cynobacteria!! Unlike in a reef tank where hermits are not recommended it is ok to have them in a FOWLR setup. As for your filters.... I would keep one running for polishing purposes and for carbon chemical filtration, but you shouldn't need 2 with a good skimmer.