FOWLR Thoughts

[CodeBlueMedic]

Hey Folks,

I would like to bounce some ideas off you guys for a FOWLR tank. I've recently fallen in love with a porcupine puffer at a LFS and it's gotten me thinking how neat it would be just to have a fish only tank with some cool fish that are fun to watch and interact with. I can get my hands on a 100 gallon tank and stand right now for next to nothing, but I'm not sure if it's tempered or not.

My question is this, would it be doable to have a tank this size for fish only without a sump? Perhaps a HOB filter, plenty of LR, LS, some power heads and maybe a HOB skimmer?

 

[Xavibear]

That sounds fine. I'd skip the hob filter.

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

That sounds fine. I'd skip the hob filter.

So run a FOWLR without a filter at all?

 

[Waters40]

As long as you have enough live rock, that will take care of your biological filtration. You can use the HOB filter, if you want, strictly for carbon or floss but it isn't necessary in a FO tank. I would use the skimmer though to maintain the water quality.

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

Any recommendations for a HOB skimmer? Preferably as low of a profile as possible, since this will be in a high display area.

 

[DoubleM 10]

What about an overflow and move the equipment under the tank? Leaving maximum space in the tank for the fish

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

I've certainly considered it, but I'm hesitant to do an HOB overflow...Heard some horror stories of floods.

 

[fishhuman]

I think minimum tank size for a porcupine is a 180

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

I know of a few people that keep them very successfully in a smaller tank. I'm not too concerned about the tank size for him. He's essentially going to have the thing to himself, maybe 1 or 2 appropriate tank mates.

 

[Maivortex]

t three fish in that set up should be fine

 

[claireputput]

I love the puffer and think that is a great idea-if you don't want to chance drilling the 100g tank, why not get further filtration with an overflow system.
I have a 55g with an eshopp overflow box and a 10g sump.
I like my set up although it has only been up about 4 months. I have not had issues with overflow but I can see where that could be an issue. I have an extra safety mechanism using the toms lift pump tubing inside the uptake in the overflow box. This way if there is a power outage, when the pump restarts, the overflow pipe will be able to suction the tank and start itself.
This has happened three times and each time it has worked.

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

I love the puffer and think that is a great idea-if you don't want to chance drilling the 100g tank, why not get further filtration with an overflow system.
I have a 55g with an eshopp overflow box and a 10g sump.
I like my set up although it has only been up about 4 months. I have not had issues with overflow but I can see where that could be an issue. I have an extra safety mechanism using the toms lift pump tubing inside the uptake in the overflow box. This way if there is a power outage, when the pump restarts, the overflow pipe will be able to suction the tank and start itself.
This has happened three times and each time it has worked.

I'd love to see some pictures of how this is plumbed. Honestly, the risk of flooding is the only reason I wouldn't do a sump on a tank I can't drill.

 

[AquaFrenzy]

all of the above are good pointers, I have a porcupine puffer and let me tell you its like having a dog in a tank (if that makes sense) they get sooo excited when you enter the room because they know you feed them and boy do they love to eat! lol, its almost like they flirt lol. Sometimes they will squirt water at the side of them tank when they see you with their food, it makes me smile every time =) Sorry to get side tracked, to answer your question live rock will be fine if you have enough, I think the rule of thumb is 1lb of rock per 1 gallon of water but you may be ok with less depending on bio load. When I took over my first tank it was a combo of live rock and canister filter, it worked great but canisters can be a nitrate factory so you really need to be on top of them, cleaning once a week etc etc. IMO a skimmer is the absolute best thing you can get other than the necessities =)


oh yea, there are plenty of little things you can do to prevent floods with the plumbing as well don't let that deter you

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

I've heard that about them and am so excited to get one! There is one at the LFS that I've been toying with for the past couple of weeks..He's got so much personality! He's probably 4" long right now

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

I kinda like the idea of having a filter, so I can run specific medias when/if I need to. Any recommendations for that? Should I go canister or just get a smaller hob?

 

[Xavibear]

Get an aquaclear hob, if you have to have one it's the best imo.

 

[Sgt Jonny Cat]

Just use plenty of Live Rock, and a good skimmer for FOWLR...

 

[CodeBlueMedic]

I know it wouldn't be ideal, but would s skimmer rated for a 75 gallon suffice for a 100 until I can get a bigger one?

 

[Xavibear]

I know it wouldn't be ideal, but would s skimmer rated for a 75 gallon suffice for a 100 until I can get a bigger one?

I'd wait until you can get a skimmer rated for 200.

 

[ghbrewer]

Aquamaxx has a new HOB skimmer that is rated at nearly 200g, I believe.