FO tank filtration

duke1231 · 09-07-2006, 10:07 PM

I am having trouble understanding something. Why do I need less filtration with FO tank then I do with a reef tank? Can I still use live rock and live sand for some of the filtration. this is until I can afford a sump. I tell you what I cant wait to start but man salt water aquariums is starting to drain me. I just want to start off slow and cheap I mean I dont even want fish until my aquarium is really mature. I know I sound like a broken record but I sometimes feel like starting a cichlid tank would be a lot easier. HELP!!

sasquatch · 09-07-2006, 11:42 PM

Duke Im sure a better answer will be coming soon but I believe it has to do with the more delicate nature of corals vs fish, live rock and sand I would think to be an advantage but all that fish poo will probably gum it up

lcstorc · 09-08-2006, 12:23 AM

Fish tend to be more tolerant of high nitrates than most corals.
You can absolutely use live rock and live sand as filtration in a fish only tank. That is FOWLR or fish only with live rock. If possible get a protein skimmer since that will help a lot as well. It is pretty incredible the junk mine pulls out of the system.
Hope that helps some. Keep in mind the best thing you can do is go slowly so perhaps it is good that you are kind of forced to do so. You will likely end up with a better established system for it.
This is not however a cheap or easy hobby. There are a lot of things you can DIY to help with the costs and there is a lot of information and many helpful people around so read, ask questions, and take your time.

BoomerD · 09-08-2006, 02:20 AM

Hmm, me thinks you have misunderstood somewhere along the line...

A fish only (or FOWLR) tank actually requires MORE filtration than a reef does. Higher biological load, (and usually messy eaters), requires more filter to handle it. MOST reefs are filtered by only live rock and a protein skimmer, whereas fish only tanks usually have a filter system in addition to those, be it a canister filter, wet-dry (bio-balls), or a HOB filter. YES, you CAN run a FOWLR with no additional filtration, but you have to keep the bio-load down. IMO, you also need a very efficient skimmer to handle the load more efficiently.

sasquatch · 09-08-2006, 10:53 PM

Icstorc and BoomerD, I have just added to your karma, again I stand shocked at the truly decent remarks made above and in general at RS, carry on troops well done.

meandean45 · 09-09-2006, 07:29 AM

Hello Duke,
How's life in Burlington? Things are OK here in Bradford (GOD!!! a fellow Vermonter!). If you really want a Reef tank, I'd suggest that you not start with a FOWLR. I had Parts and Bits and Pieces hanging around the house for more than three years before I managed to collect (read that "AFFORD") everything that I needed to start my 90 gallon reef. In this hobby, patience isn't just a virtue, it's everything. If you MUST hurry, this is probably not for you.
I don't know what you have for equipment now, but a sump isn't a necessity on a smaller (30Gal or so) reef. However, I wouldnt consider a reef any larger than a 55 Gallon without one. Of course a 33 gal. long tank (if you have a 75 gal. or larger tank) fits nicely below the tank in your' stand, and for reefing is as good or better than one of the pricey custom sumps. my own sump is a cut down used 55 gal. acrylic tank that I picked up for $20.00 at my LFS, and it has served me quite nicely for 7+ years now.
Live rock and Live sand are definitely needed in a reef, as well as the best (not necessarily the most expensive/newest) protein skimmer that you can afford.
Lighting is another thing that shouldn't be skimped on. My tank ran well for years with a homemade VHO setup, (about $320 + or -) but am now running two 175w HQI metal halides with two T5 actinics(about $550+ or -) and I'd recommend starting with the latter, and saving yourself the initial $ 320 now.
PM me if you want more advice from a "Local" (well, almost local) I'll try to advise on almost anything that I know about, but have the good sense to admit "I don't know" if I don't. Good luck.
Regards, Dean

meandean45 · 09-10-2006, 05:21 AM

Thanks Lynn!
Dean

09-07-2006, 10:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
duke1231 Fire Coral Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 78 View Gallery Karma Komment	FO tank filtration I am having trouble understanding something. Why do I need less filtration with FO tank then I do with a reef tank? Can I still use live rock and live sand for some of the filtration. this is until I can afford a sump. I tell you what I cant wait to start but man salt water aquariums is starting to drain me. I just want to start off slow and cheap I mean I dont even want fish until my aquarium is really mature. I know I sound like a broken record but I sometimes feel like starting a cichlid tank would be a lot easier. HELP!!

09-07-2006, 11:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: FO tank filtration Duke Im sure a better answer will be coming soon but I believe it has to do with the more delicate nature of corals vs fish, live rock and sand I would think to be an advantage but all that fish poo will probably gum it up

09-08-2006, 12:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 19,905 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: FO tank filtration Fish tend to be more tolerant of high nitrates than most corals. You can absolutely use live rock and live sand as filtration in a fish only tank. That is FOWLR or fish only with live rock. If possible get a protein skimmer since that will help a lot as well. It is pretty incredible the junk mine pulls out of the system. Hope that helps some. Keep in mind the best thing you can do is go slowly so perhaps it is good that you are kind of forced to do so. You will likely end up with a better established system for it. This is not however a cheap or easy hobby. There are a lot of things you can DIY to help with the costs and there is a lot of information and many helpful people around so read, ask questions, and take your time. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

09-08-2006, 02:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: FO tank filtration Hmm, me thinks you have misunderstood somewhere along the line... A fish only (or FOWLR) tank actually requires MORE filtration than a reef does. Higher biological load, (and usually messy eaters), requires more filter to handle it. MOST reefs are filtered by only live rock and a protein skimmer, whereas fish only tanks usually have a filter system in addition to those, be it a canister filter, wet-dry (bio-balls), or a HOB filter. YES, you CAN run a FOWLR with no additional filtration, but you have to keep the bio-load down. IMO, you also need a very efficient skimmer to handle the load more efficiently. __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

09-08-2006, 10:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: FO tank filtration Icstorc and BoomerD, I have just added to your karma, again I stand shocked at the truly decent remarks made above and in general at RS, carry on troops well done.

09-09-2006, 07:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
meandean45 Ricordea Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bradford, Vt., USA Posts: 177 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: FO tank filtration Hello Duke, How's life in Burlington? Things are OK here in Bradford (GOD!!! a fellow Vermonter!). If you really want a Reef tank, I'd suggest that you not start with a FOWLR. I had Parts and Bits and Pieces hanging around the house for more than three years before I managed to collect (read that "AFFORD") everything that I needed to start my 90 gallon reef. In this hobby, patience isn't just a virtue, it's everything. If you MUST hurry, this is probably not for you. I don't know what you have for equipment now, but a sump isn't a necessity on a smaller (30Gal or so) reef. However, I wouldnt consider a reef any larger than a 55 Gallon without one. Of course a 33 gal. long tank (if you have a 75 gal. or larger tank) fits nicely below the tank in your' stand, and for reefing is as good or better than one of the pricey custom sumps. my own sump is a cut down used 55 gal. acrylic tank that I picked up for $20.00 at my LFS, and it has served me quite nicely for 7+ years now. Live rock and Live sand are definitely needed in a reef, as well as the best (not necessarily the most expensive/newest) protein skimmer that you can afford. Lighting is another thing that shouldn't be skimped on. My tank ran well for years with a homemade VHO setup, (about $320 + or -) but am now running two 175w HQI metal halides with two T5 actinics(about $550+ or -) and I'd recommend starting with the latter, and saving yourself the initial $ 320 now. PM me if you want more advice from a "Local" (well, almost local) I'll try to advise on almost anything that I know about, but have the good sense to admit "I don't know" if I don't. Good luck. Regards, Dean __________________ Meandean45 -RELATIVITY: "Sit on a red hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit next to a pretty Girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's Relativity". A.Einstein : "A man's got to know his limitations."- Clint Eastwood in "Magnum Force"

09-10-2006, 05:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
meandean45 Ricordea Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bradford, Vt., USA Posts: 177 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: FO tank filtration Thanks Lynn! Dean __________________ Meandean45 -RELATIVITY: "Sit on a red hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit next to a pretty Girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. That's Relativity". A.Einstein : "A man's got to know his limitations."- Clint Eastwood in "Magnum Force"

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