FO re-setup. Need good advice.

[larrycarter]

I have a 60g bowfront that had to be taken down due to a move about one year ago. Want to rebuild again. I kept it up the first time for about one year. Not sure if I had the best equipment set-up. Used dead corals, crushed coral bed, hang-on skimmer, emporor bio-wheel filter. Had limited number of fish. I kept fighting ich for several months. Fish seemed relatively healthy. Would occassionally lose one. I see lots of posts with set-ups that are much more complicated but usually in much larger tanks. If I want to stay with FOWLR or FO, is this the best set-up or do I need to make adjustments or is this tank big enough to start with? Thanks.

 

[haitwun]

A 60 gallon is plenty big enough for most species unless you are getting a shark or grouper then it may not be. But for most fish it is.
I don't see a problem with your set up. You'll need new live rock.

Since it has been a year, I doubt the ich will still be around. Just remember to quarantine new fish, properly cycle the tank beforehand.
I bet this is all obvious stuff that you already know.
What kind of skimmer are you using?
Good luck.

 

[Paul Burgess]

1. 60 gallons is plenty big.
2. I think the bio wheel filtration may be weak and perhaps the ick issue.
3. Lots of options to upgrade filtration. I choose the inexpensive route. We'll see if it works for the long run.
3. I set up a 125 FOWLR using a reverse UGF.
4. Many will say it is a disaster waiting to happen. But, there is a guy on RC that has been doing RUGF for 30+ years. That was good enough for me to at least try it.
5. It was cheap to get going and if I don't like it, oh well, I wasted $150. Drop in the bucket with this hobby.

 

[Jerry W]

IMO, a simple set-up would include some of the equipment you already have. Use the Emperor to run carbon. A good hang on skimmer for added filtration. Shallow substrate, and 50 lbs or so of live rock. I ran a 56 gallon FOWLR sytem for several years like this and it was a very stable/healthy set up. Don't ovestock with big fish and you should be good. hth

 

[gangstafish]

I have a 75 gal. fowlr tank. Wetdry,remora hang on protein skimmer,penguin 350,eheim pro2 running uv sterilizer,2power heads,65lbs brazilian live rock.I work part time in a pet store in the fish dept.So I get a discount on equipment and fish.

 

[stykthyn]

I agree with all the above statements excpet for the live rock. If you still have the old rock use it and supplement with some fresh rock. The beneficial bacteria and organisms in the rock will proliferate and spread to the dead rock you already have. I would aslo purchase sand for substrate rather than use the crushed coral and upgrade to a canister filter. I use a magnum 350 and love it.