Need FOWLR step-by-step instructions
- Thread starter miserkris
- Start date
dviper150
New member
I would start first with setting up all the plumbing and filtration before you add any water. I made the mistake of adding water first and I could have easily added a bigger filtration system if had waited before I filled the tank. After you get that setup, put in the rocks and then the sand and fill. Its the same as starting a reef tank.
What I did with mine after setting up the filtration system was add the rock, sand, and then filled it up and ran it for a couple weeks before I added anything.
What I did with mine after setting up the filtration system was add the rock, sand, and then filled it up and ran it for a couple weeks before I added anything.
miserkris
New member
Hi
What kind of filter system is best for my 55g folwr? A saltw friend of mine said I need a wet/dry....So what model is best...? Do I *have* to get a protein skimmer now itself?
If so can I get a wet/dry/skimmer combo ? Pls suggest!!
I have a used penguin 200 bio wheel HOB...Can I use it as for time being , as the water cycles with LR etc? Then research and get a good bigger filter?
Thx
Kris
What kind of filter system is best for my 55g folwr? A saltw friend of mine said I need a wet/dry....So what model is best...? Do I *have* to get a protein skimmer now itself?
If so can I get a wet/dry/skimmer combo ? Pls suggest!!
I have a used penguin 200 bio wheel HOB...Can I use it as for time being , as the water cycles with LR etc? Then research and get a good bigger filter?
Thx
Kris
dviper150
New member
Putting a skimmer on your tank is optional during cycling. I had a 56 gallon before too and the filtration I used for that was a HOB pengiun and a CPR2 back pack protein skimmer. I didn't have room for a wet/dry but if you have the room, I say go for it.
IMO, if you can keep up with water changes, you don't really need a skimmer but its better with a skimmer. You don't need it now but eventually as you stock your tank, you would need it. With the wet/dry filter, remove the bioballs and replace with rubble rock if you can.
IMO, if you can keep up with water changes, you don't really need a skimmer but its better with a skimmer. You don't need it now but eventually as you stock your tank, you would need it. With the wet/dry filter, remove the bioballs and replace with rubble rock if you can.
tperk9784
New member
Kris
The best advice I can give you is to research research and research. read more and then when you think you know how you want to do it read more. There are 100 ways to do the exact same thing and if you ask 100 people on here the best way to do something you are likely to get 100 different answers.
Tim
The best advice I can give you is to research research and research. read more and then when you think you know how you want to do it read more. There are 100 ways to do the exact same thing and if you ask 100 people on here the best way to do something you are likely to get 100 different answers.
Tim
readmeli
Do you see me SMIZING?
miserkris -
There is a video showing setting up a FOWLER aquarium here which might be beneficial, though maybe less advanced than you are looking for:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/media/players/video.cfm?videoid=56
I'm with Tim - research. There is TONS of amazing information on RC! Good luck.
There is a video showing setting up a FOWLER aquarium here which might be beneficial, though maybe less advanced than you are looking for:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/media/players/video.cfm?videoid=56
I'm with Tim - research. There is TONS of amazing information on RC! Good luck.
miserkris
New member
Hi
Yes I did see the video and was looking for a list of units used in your site but cant find it . Can I have it?
Thx!!!
readmeli
Do you see me SMIZING?
Hmm - I think this page has the equipment we used, if not, let me know:
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/VideoCenter/printable_instructions.cfm?videoid=222
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/VideoCenter/printable_instructions.cfm?videoid=222
wooden_reefer
New member
Hi
What kind of filter system is best for my 55g folwr? A saltw friend of mine said I need a wet/dry....So what model is best...? Do I *have* to get a protein skimmer now itself?
If so can I get a wet/dry/skimmer combo ? Pls suggest!!
I have a used penguin 200 bio wheel HOB...Can I use it as for time being , as the water cycles with LR etc? Then research and get a good bigger filter?
Thx
Kris
If you do wlr then you should not use wet-dry.
Wet-dry is very effective in nitrification and aeration, but it does them so well that denitrifiaction is suppressed, so nitrate may remain high.
Moreover, wet-dry is very easy to DIY so you hardly need "any model"; it is just driping water over a medium instead of submerging it. You can drill holes on a shallow tray and pump water into it and let the water drip on the medium.
I have a 55 that works great for me:
Shallow sand bed, aragonite
~65-75 lbs live rock
BakPak HOB filter
Rena SmartFilter run without media for circulation
Powerhead in tank for more circulation
Coralife 4 x 65-watt PC light fixture
You definitely need a skimmer. BakPaks aren't the greatest, but they are okay and do a fair job.
I have lots of macro in the tank. Used to also have a HOB refugium, but tank is fine without it. Pretty heavily stocked, very healthy. I haven't lost a fish in a very long time, over a year or two. Tank has been established at least 6-8 years.
For step by step help, spend < $14 and invest in New Marine Aquarium by Mike Paletta.
Shallow sand bed, aragonite
~65-75 lbs live rock
BakPak HOB filter
Rena SmartFilter run without media for circulation
Powerhead in tank for more circulation
Coralife 4 x 65-watt PC light fixture
You definitely need a skimmer. BakPaks aren't the greatest, but they are okay and do a fair job.
I have lots of macro in the tank. Used to also have a HOB refugium, but tank is fine without it. Pretty heavily stocked, very healthy. I haven't lost a fish in a very long time, over a year or two. Tank has been established at least 6-8 years.
For step by step help, spend < $14 and invest in New Marine Aquarium by Mike Paletta.
miserkris
New member
Hi Lisa,
Is yours a rectangular std 55g?
Let me ask you...Is it ok to buy cured LR & LS from an established tank(5yr old)?
(He's askin $150 for 55lb LR and 30lb LS) said LR has little hair algae...but his tank/fish are healthy . A lilltle hair algae - what will it do ?
Thx!
kris
Is yours a rectangular std 55g?
Let me ask you...Is it ok to buy cured LR & LS from an established tank(5yr old)?
(He's askin $150 for 55lb LR and 30lb LS) said LR has little hair algae...but his tank/fish are healthy . A lilltle hair algae - what will it do ?
Thx!
kris
anbosu
New member
Well, hair algae can take over a tank if you have excess nutrients. Ultimately it isn't a big deal, but it can be unsightly.
There is nothing wrong with cured live rock, I would just make sure you run the tank with just the live rock long enough that any parasites life cycle would be complete (so no ich or anything like that).
There is nothing wrong with cured live rock, I would just make sure you run the tank with just the live rock long enough that any parasites life cycle would be complete (so no ich or anything like that).
miserkris
New member
Does it mean that some s/w tanks never get HA and some do and if they are in , they can t be got rid off? If I do get this used LR, can I remove HA from it by what means?!
Thx
lostintheocean
New member
do your research and figure out what you want, or go pay some one to do it all for you.
anbosu
New member
Does it mean that some s/w tanks never get HA and some do and if they are in , they can t be got rid off? If I do get this used LR, can I remove HA from it by what means?!
Thx
Yes, some tanks never get hair algae because they keep pristine water conditions. You can scrub the rock when you get it and that should get rid of most of the hair algae. The condition you keep your water in going forward will determine if it keeps coming back or not.
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