Getting back into the hobby and could use some help –

[Davidb6]

Background -
My last setup 8 years ago) was a 65gal reef with no sump, everything was HOB "“ skimmer, refuge and calc reactor. Although mostly successful, this config left me very restricted on flexibility and caused a lot of extra maintenance (which I enjoyed but took up a lot of time).

Not wanting to make the same mistake (no sump area)- considering a Red Sea Max S-400 which seems to have all the basics and a lot of flexibility. I like all the equipment, built-ins and the aluminum frame.


As a starting point I think I am going to start with a FOWLR until I retire (and travel less for work) for the next couple of years and slowly convert to reef when I have more time.

Any suggestions on the filtration I should use for now which could be easily converted as I add coral? I may start to slowly add some easy care SPS.

Red Sea already has LEDs I can adjust as needed, filter socks and a skimmer which may be enough for FOWLR
I could add something for nitrate control - brick and/or live rock. (I do not want to overload the display with LR like I had to do on the 65g.)
I could add a refug in the sump, not sure I need that for FOWRL (cheto and pods)
I was reading about a Plenum system, again not sure it would thrive in a FOWRL

Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[BPReefer]

Background -
My last setup 8 years ago) was a 65gal reef with no sump, everything was HOB "“ skimmer, refuge and calc reactor. Although mostly successful, this config left me very restricted on flexibility and caused a lot of extra maintenance (which I enjoyed but took up a lot of time).

Not wanting to make the same mistake (no sump area)- considering a Red Sea Max S-400 which seems to have all the basics and a lot of flexibility. I like all the equipment, built-ins and the aluminum frame.


As a starting point I think I am going to start with a FOWLR until I retire (and travel less for work) for the next couple of years and slowly convert to reef when I have more time.

Any suggestions on the filtration I should use for now which could be easily converted as I add coral? I may start to slowly add some easy care SPS.

Red Sea already has LEDs I can adjust as needed, filter socks and a skimmer which may be enough for FOWLR
I could add something for nitrate control - brick and/or live rock. (I do not want to overload the display with LR like I had to do on the 65g.)
I could add a refug in the sump, not sure I need that for FOWRL (cheto and pods)
I was reading about a Plenum system, again not sure it would thrive in a FOWRL

Any ideas?
Thanks

I guess it depends on your plans on how dense the bioload will be in your tank, ie, how many fish and species. If you're doing a FOWLR, but are wanting to keep the amount of LR in the DT to a minimum, then load the refugium area of your sump with tiles of marine pure. Go heavy on the surface area for bio filtration, and go big on skimmer, like maybe 1.5X more than the recommended rating on the skimmer. I'm unfamiliar with the one that included in your everything included system.
I don't have any other suggestions as the unit your buying is a whole package kinda deal.

 

[Sk8r]

For a reef, filter socks at need, but no other filtration. For FOWLR, you can do the same if you keep your fish load down. A skimmer removes amino acids and helps the fish as it helps the corals. Rather than buy 2 skimmers, one for later, I'd advise just do it right for both and save money in the long run. If you want to keep sps corals you need a really good skimmer. Since corals are living filters, esp softies and lps, you could just do a softie reef with a moderate skimmer and pick fish that won't eat them, having it all for no more effort than a FOWLR would be.

 

[Davidb6]

BPReefer - As far as bio load – I need to do much more homework on compatibility but just to give you an idea of my overall goal - I want to have extreme bio diversity typically associated with a mature natural reef setup – live sand, pods, cleaning crew, slug, star, clams, crab, urchin, shrimp and maybe 6 to 10 fish ranging in size from small to 1 or 2 larger (5”). Again more homework needed but maybe – mandarin, sleeper goby, dwarf or pigmy angle, copper band and a tang.

I would prefer not to have to have high maintenance requirements associated with care of SPS but would invest in dosing if necessary. Obviously if I do go SPS I would certainly change my inhabitant selection.

Tank would include high diversity (happy tank members to be determined), some live rock for decoration purposes and some fake coral.

Fake coral filtration would be –
live rock (Xport plate or brick), socks, skimmer and carbon
If adding SPS would “add” – refug or plenum, automation for dosing
If ULNS would “add” Zeo reactor

Still reading up on the Red Sea dosing system which may help to eliminate some of this equipment but still requires daily dosing

 

[Davidb6]

Sk8r - I was kinda thinking along the same lines, invest in equipment that could support an SPS dominant tank even if I grow into it with FOWLR for now

I have been looking at filter feeders to help clean the water as opposed to equipment but I still need to feed unless LEDs provide most of the food.