Question about filtration for FOWLR

[PotysGSXR]

Hi everyone. I had a general question. My reef tank died, so I'm thinking about converting it to a FOWLR. I had some questions. Would I need anything like MH for my tank? I was hoping avoid it since it heats up the tank too much. I have a 34g hex so space for lights are pretty limited but I would be able to fit one 15" 32w PC light. Would that suffice for fish only?

Second question, I was thinking on perhaps purchasing a canister filter. The only problem is, I don't have any experience with canister filters at all. I was thinking about drilling the bottom back of my tank because I dont have an overflow on my tank. Do canister filters have air inside like a wet/dry filter? The reason I ask is because if it doesn, then it would most likely create microbubbles on the way back right?

Lastly, can you recomment a canister filter that would be best for my tank that comes with a pump that can sufficiently pump water back up to my tank (about 5' up).

Thank you eveyrone!

 

[iCam]

If the only livestock are fish, you don't need MH.

As far as canister filters, I generally only used mine to run media in such as carbon, and for a bit of extra flow. There isn't air inside, but after initially filling it, some air will get trapped, and may cause some microbubbles for a short while. It will eventually escape, and afterwards there shouldn't be any. If you decide to get one, make sure you clean the filter well, and often, so that waste and food particles don't get trapped in it for a long time and further deterioate.

I don't know about using a canister filter as a return pump, so I will let someone answer that with more knowledge on the subject.

 

[PotysGSXR]

Thank you for your reply.

I have another question as well. Will my drilling a hole near middle bottom of the tank risk the tank cracking? It is a 34g hex acrylic aquarium.

I was thinking about purchasing this canister. What do you all think? Would this canister have enough power to push water up about 4'-5'?

How much flow do you need in a FOWLR tank? Thanks again

 

[PotysGSXR]

Some more questions. Thanks for the time and reply everyone. For FOWLR, how much LR do you need?

 

[marrone]

PotysGSXR

You can purchase an Eheim wet/dry canister filter, and doesn't produce any micro-bubbles into the tank. This sit under the tank and the tubes hang on the back, like most canister filters. There isn't a need to drill the tank when using a canister filter.

Michael

 

[lovelylinda]

I had a fluval 404 for my 55 gallon and about a pound of liverock per gallon is ok- just clean the fluval weekly (rinse foam) and replace carbon every 2-3 weeks, or you will get nitrate buildup, No bubbles. I still use it on the 125 for carbon and the flow- about 300 gph.

 

[marrone]

Since this is a Fowlr and not a reef tank nitrates aren't a thing to worry about, as where with a reef tank they need to be close to zero that isn't the case with a Fish tank. You can't place the standards of a reef tank on a fish tank.

 

[PotysGSXR]

Thanks again for the replies everyone. I have a black background tank and I was wondering if the hose that hangs on the back is black as well?

Also will it have enough gph even with though it has to go back up 4'? Thanks.

 

[marrone]

The hoses are either green or clear color and since you have a black background you wouldn't see them as they are behind the tank. The return and intake tubes are going to be black for the Magnum and green for the Eheim.

Canister filters come in different size so you need to pick the one for your needs. Most will not have any problem pumping up to 4' but the GPH will be reduced some what because of the height. If you go to one of the on-line site you'll be able to see all the spec and get GPH at different heights fo each canister filter.

 

[justgeorge]

you don't want to drill your tank halfway down; if the power goes out it will flood. Although if the canister filter acts like a closed loop you'll be ok, but if you are using the drain to a sump you will flood.

 

[PotysGSXR]

Do any of you have any experience with via aqua canister filters? I'm thinking of that instead of the eheim because the price difference is so huge and the via aqua has more gph.

 

[PotysGSXR]

oh and one more thing? Since this isnt a reef tank, do i even NEED LR? I'd rather do without it if I could.

 

[marrone]

I haven't had any experience with Via Aqua canister filters but they're eheim know-offs.

You don't need live rock in the tank since it's a fish only tank. In my tanks I have some rock or cured coral on the bottom, which gives the fish hiding spaces and leaves a large open swimming area in the tank.

 

[mikersx02]

you can get an eheim canister filter dirt cheap if you look around on the internet- I got my 80gallon capacity eheim for about 80 bucks shipped-

It came with tons of media- but Im not sure if it is perfect for SW- Does anyone have any other recommendations for replacement media for the chambers? Or is the stock stuff fine?