should I go FOWLR

[3dees]

used to lurk here about 6 years ago when I had a 24 gal nano reef. got out of fishkeeping for a while due to medical problems. about 1 1/2 years ago I decided to get back into it. I was going to go with sw but I really wanted to try a discus tank as a challenge. I have a 120 gal. wild discus tank that I'm pretty proud of. the problem is that it's a very boring tank. discus are not the most active fish in a tank. I have been thinking of selling everything but the tank/stand and lights. I am running two cannisters. I know that cannisters are frowned upon with sw and I will get rid of them if I must. I would like to set up a FOWLR with more smallish fish rather than a few large fish. is a sump a must, or can I use one of the cannisters without media and just a hang on skimmer? I plan on using 100-150 lbs of live rock. I don't really understand sumps and I'm afraid of flooding due to power loss. I would like to keep it as simple and inexpensive as possible. I don't mind spending, but being retired I have to have somr money left for my other hobbies. here is a pic of my tank to show that I am not new to fishkeeping. thanks for any advice.

 

[slowwrx137]

I would definitely get rid of the canister filters and add a sump with a skimmer, you'll be glad you did from the beginning instead of trying to add it on later.

I started out my 90 gallon fowlr thinking the same things, I bought a hang on skimmer and a canister filter to run media. That lasted about 2 weeks before I sold the skimmer, unhooked the canister, and built my own sump/refugium.

I was intimidated by the who sump thing also but as long as your return pump pushes less than your overflow drains you shouldn't have a problem and just make sure the sump has extra room for the overflow water from the main tank if the pump shuts off.

Most larger cities have a local reef club and there are always people selling used equipment for cheap, craigslist is a good alternative also. Maybe even someone locally to help you setup/plumb your sump.

 

[JPhan1]

+1 I would run a sump and make sure you have enough room in the sump dividing the return pumps shuts off the sump can hold the water that drains from the display.

 

[Gill_bucket]

Your definitely going to want to get a sump IMO. One thing to consider is that you are probably going to sink a lot of money into switching over, and your tank looks awesome as is! Not saying you shouldn't do it, just don't think it will cheap because of the equipment you already have.

 

[3dees]

yea, thats what I thought. thanks Gill. actually, I don't have that much invested in this tank. I know I will lose some on the filters, but I'm sure I could get a good price for the fish. all my fish are just about fully grown and really healthy. there is a big demand for wild discus. I have'nt made a decision yet. I'm really happy with this tank, but the sw tank is always on my mine. the nano reef I had was the smallest tank that I ever had, but gave me more enjoyment than any other. my problem is, I don't have room for another tank, so it's one or the other.

 

[dzfish17]

Although a sump is a nice feature on a marine tank it is not a necessity for a successful one. You can remove the media from the canister filters and use them for added flow or chemical filtration. Im using two FX5s that I had when my tank was FW. With the LR and HOB skimmer you will be just fine. One of the drawbacks to sumpless is that you will see the equipment in the tank. Ive had tanks with a sump and tanks without one and it really doesnt matter to me as long as the system works.

 

[rayn]

Agree with ravish. Sump is your choice. The canisters will build up with nitrates, but if you stay fowlr and do water changes and media changes you should be fine. If you are even thinking of going reef sometime, drill (if you're tank isn't tempered) and do the sump.

 

[Jerry W]

Beautiful discus set-up! That wuld be a tough one breaking that down.
! had a 120 for several years. Agree that keeping several small fish can be more enjoyable than a few large specimens. Sump is definitely optional. As stated, a good hang on skimmer, ample live rock and regular water changes and you should have no problems. The low profile powerheads available will hardly be noticed, and you'll see only the heater cord and what's visible from the skimmer. You might get away with less rock. I started out with about 140 lbs but ended up after a few years with closer to 100. More open spots= better flow.
Good luck with the switch.

 

[3dees]

thanks for the replies. tank is tempered so no drilling. my Ehiem tubes and the heater cover are black and hard to see in the tank. powerheads are going to be seen in either case. I was thinking of using one of the cannisters without media for some flow, and it could be used if carbon or phosphate removal was ever needed. wc's are no problem as I do a 60-70% every 5 days now. if all I need is a skimmer and a RO/DI unit ( besides the rock and extra equiptment) I may have a go at it. I'm just worried that I may regret tearing down my discus tank if I have problems with sw.

 

[D5HP]

Sounds like you're pretty capable of handling it to me! I'd go for it...but just realize that you won't need/want to do such large changes so often as the cost of salt might overcome you in time.

It sounds like you don't need much to get going so I'd go for it!

Your discus tank looks incredible but I agree they are very boring to watch. I'd say get yourself a SW with lots of smaller fast moving bright fish.

 

[rayn]

Patience here is the key. Read the new to hobby stickies and prepare yourself. Algea is a way of a new tank. Expect it going g in, but know with patience and diligent work on your part you will overcome it.

 

[3dees]

yes I know about patience. I had a 24 gal. nano reef that ran for almost two years before medical problems forced me to get out of the hobby. I think if anyone can keep a nono reef, then a fowlr should'nt be a problem. the nano was a self contained tank. now I'm reading about sumps or wet dry's without the media. I want something easy to set up as I'm one of those guys that are dangerous with tools. some of the setups I see, even for discus, would confuse a master plumber. I have posted on simplydiscus to see if there is any interest in my fish. if I decide to go sw, I will have many more questions. thanks for all the replies. in 25 years of fishkeeping, this is the hardest dicision I have had to make.

 

[nonstopfishies]

Good luck and don't give up if/when you run into problems! Trial and error is a lot of what will eventually bring you success.