To build, or not to build, that is the question.

[Shoebiedoo]

I want to start a 55 gal FOWLR tank. It's been a FW tank for many years I am now getting the urge to go back to salt. Maintenance is probably my biggest issue and which is why I'm wondering if I should even attempt this tank. My job takes me out of town every other week for a week at a time so I figure I can realistically plan on doing water changes once every other week. I will be able to do unscheduled maintenance items during the week I'm home but I'm smart enough to know scheduled maintenance will have to be every other week. I'm planning, as mentioned earlier, on a FOWLR tank and am trying to figure out how best to go about it.
After much reading and watching (videos) I've come to 2 conclusions. If I'm going to do this a DSB with live rock are the best options as they will provide much needed natural filtration. The rest is all a mystery :headwallblue:
I'm spelling all this out because I want to make sure I'm on the right track.
To start: I have over 50lbs of base rock sitting in the basement so I'd like to use as much of that as I can. I'm not sure what the best was to "seed" the base rock would be. I'm hoping to get away with just 10% live rock. While I'm out of town I was going to put the auto feeder on a low setting just to keep the bacteria population growing.
I'm also planning on getting 50 lbs Quikrete play sand for a deep sand bed. Now what
I assuming I will run into evaporation issues with sump while I'm away for a week. Not sure what to use instead. From what I read, a canister filter isn't a good idea either (not sure why).
I'm open to suggestions.
I'm set on an LED strip for lighting and plan on stocking to an average of 1/2 inch per gallon.
I'm I on the right track??

Thanks

 

[RobZilla04]

You're definitely on the right track. It's a wise choice to go fish only if you are going to be away that often. I like the sump idea for filtration. Look into auto top offs, ATO. If done right with a large enough reservoir you could be gone for a week or more. Coupled with an auto feeder you could get by with maintainence on an unscheduled basis.

 

[Shoebiedoo]

You're definitely on the right track. It's a wise choice to go fish only if you are going to be away that often. I like the sump idea for filtration. Look into auto top offs, ATO. If done right with a large enough reservoir you could be gone for a week or more. Coupled with an auto feeder you could get by with maintainence on an unscheduled basis.

The problem is, location. With where the tank is, an auto top off isn't gonna work as I don't want to drill holes through the hard wood floors to run a line. and even that would be just tap water. I don't see anyway to install any type of top off :sad1: but hey, it's something to worked towards right?

 

[Shoebiedoo]

But, let's say I did decide on a Sump . What type of reservior would you be referring to, and are you really saying No water changes or minimal chores? You have my attention

 

[RobZilla04]

But, let's say I did decide on a Sump . What type of reservior would you be referring to, and are you really saying No water changes or minimal chores? You have my attention

Under a 55 stand you should have room for a small basic sump. Next to the sump put a 5 or 10 gallon reservoir container with RODI water in it. Then get an auto top off, several on the market to choose from, that fits your budget. Fill that up before you go outta town and your set. Just make sure to test the system for evaporation rate so you know how much on average will be topped off daily.

As for water changes, you would still need to do them IMO. But you would be fine to do the unscheduled and sporadic.

 

[Shoebiedoo]

Under a 55 stand you should have room for a small basic sump. Next to the sump put a 5 or 10 gallon reservoir container with RODI water in it. Then get an auto top off, several on the market to choose from, that fits your budget. Fill that up before you go outta town and your set. Just make sure to test the system for evaporation rate so you know how much on average will be topped off daily.

As for water changes, you would still need to do them IMO. But you would be fine to do the unscheduled and sporadic.

That's actually a pretty good idea!

The bench next to the aquarium is for the dogs to look out the window. (I know about the light. It's NW facing so it doesn't get too much). it wouldn't be too hard to incorporate a reservoir.
What do you recommend in the sump? I'd like to go without a skimmer as it's in the "zen" room and I've heard they are rather noisy.
Thanks for the tips though.

Under a 55 stand you should have room for a small basic sump. Next to the sump put a 5 or 10 gallon reservoir container with RODI water in it. Then get an auto top off, several on the market to choose from, that fits your budget. Fill that up before you go outta town and your set. Just make sure to test the system for evaporation rate so you know how much on average will be topped off daily.

As for water changes, you would still need to do them IMO. But you would be fine to do the unscheduled and sporadic.

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[RobZilla04]

Skimmerles can be done successfully, many folks do it. You'd probably be better off to have one with a sporadic maintenance schedule. You can cross that bridge when you get there though. As for noise they aren't that loud. Return pumps and power heads make just as much noise.

 

[WatDatThing]

I don't think you need to worry about evaporation much. I run 2 chinese 165w LED blackbox on my 55. I only need to top off once every too weeks, a gallon worth of RO water. Feeding while you are out of town could be an issue.

 

[RobZilla04]

I don't think you need to worry about evaporation much. I run 2 chinese 165w LED blackbox on my 55. I only need to top off once every too weeks, a gallon worth of RO water. Feeding while you are out of town could be an issue.

Evaporation has less to do with your lights and more to do with the temperature and humidity of the ambient air. The less humid the air, the higher the rate of evaporation. A gallon a week is probably average. I top off daily, still manually. With an ATO the top off will happen much more frequently at lower volume thus resulting in a more constant water level.

 

[Shoebiedoo]

I've decided an ATO system is going to be a must. I'm hoping tk have enough to room under the tank for a sump (with a skimmer) along with a reservoir for the ATO. Sounds like 5 gallons will be plenty. BTW is there any reason why Salt water would evaporate at a different rate then fresh?

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[ReefsandGeeks]

The main difference in evaporation is slat tanks may be run at higher temps, which would give higher evaporation. I run my reef at a nice 78 degrees. Also air flow across the surface of the water, both the display and the sump, will add to evaporation. if your stand is relatively air tight, your evaporation will be lower as well.

for reference, my house if very dry now in the winter <30% relative humidity, and my 65G sumpless tank evaporates about 5 gallons a week, maybe a bit less. In the summer I get about half that evaporation due to humidity in the air. A 55 with a sump should be fairly similar, at least same ballpark for evaporation.

Also a note on canister filters, I have 2 on my tank (though I wish I had a sump instead) and they are considered bad because they are "nitrate factories". This is said because they trap detritus and because they are a pita to clean, they are often left longer than they should between cleaning, and this causes them to produce excessive nitrate. Just more of an FYI as you've already decided on a sump, which IMO is better.

Sounds like your right on track to having a tank you can leave for a week at a time. Once it's all said and done, I think you'll be surprised just how easy it is to maintain, at least as a FOWLR.