<-'\-> Howdy !

wetpresidents · 04-12-2006, 12:23 PM

I was wondering if anyone had an opinion about the necessarity of a protien skimmmer on a 125 fowlr. Right now i got a custom closed loop with a little giant pushing through dual bio/chem magnums. Then leads to a custom uv/heater unit. Thats another point, does ne1 use the uv sterilizer?on what?

thanks
wetpresidents

BoomerD · 04-12-2006, 02:12 PM

Well, how about more information on your set-up? How much live rock? My first thought, it that you're using a biological media (bio-chem) that will create huge amounts of nitrates in your tank, which for a FOWLR, may not be TOO bad. (depending on what species you keep) For a FOWLR, you MAY need that external filtration, or you may not, (again, depending on your bio-load and what species you keep)
For a reef tank, live rock should be your main filtration source, NO outside mechanical filtration, NO outside biological filtration. I know this is counter to what we've always done for freshwater tanks, but the live rock becomes a VERY efficient biological filter, even to the point of helping reduce nitrates, HOWEVER, you need to have a LOT of rock in the tank, usually recommended at 1-1/2 to 2 lbs/gallon.
You'll find that the vast majority of us run our reef tanks with ONLY live rock and a good quality protein skimmer. FOWLR tanks can be operated the same way, although you do need to keep a good eye on your bio-load.
I'm a strong believer in protein skimming. It helps remove pollutants from your tank that you may not get out any other way, and even removes some things BEFORE they can become pollutants. I also like carbon filtration on an occasional basis, to remove colorants and chemicals from the water, but NOT run 24/7...

Dragon Wrasse · 04-12-2006, 03:35 PM

A good skimmer is always a good idea....welcome to RS!!

blade25 · 04-12-2006, 10:29 PM

what is a fowler

Rougiem · 04-12-2006, 10:32 PM

Welcome to RS Wet!

Blade ~ FOWLR = fish only with live rock

Cheers!

lcstorc · 06-02-2006, 05:22 PM

IMHO get the best skimmer you can. They pull lots of junk out of the tank before they can cause a problem.
Peace
Lynn

billyr98 · 06-02-2006, 07:05 PM

I go with skimmer!! and welcome to RS!

cheeks69 · 06-02-2006, 07:13 PM

There are many people that DON'T use skimmers and keep very successful reef tanks. There are other methods for exporting nutrients like frequent large water changes, a DSB and vegetable filters. I prefer a skimmer, to me it's just alot easier and it's so effective why wouldn't you want to use one ? I know it does remove important elements and plaknton but I've got plenty of food in my tank !

I don't recommend beginners going skimmerless but if you have plenty of experience and keep a low bio-load it can be accomplished JMHO

View Poll Results: is the skimmer necessary
Yes	9	90.00%
No	1	10.00%
Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll

04-12-2006, 12:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
wetpresidents Tubeworm Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: BREWCITY Posts: 27 View Gallery Karma Komment	<-'\-> Howdy ! I was wondering if anyone had an opinion about the necessarity of a protien skimmmer on a 125 fowlr. Right now i got a custom closed loop with a little giant pushing through dual bio/chem magnums. Then leads to a custom uv/heater unit. Thats another point, does ne1 use the uv sterilizer?on what? thanks wetpresidents

04-12-2006, 02:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,234 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: <-'\-> Howdy ! Well, how about more information on your set-up? How much live rock? My first thought, it that you're using a biological media (bio-chem) that will create huge amounts of nitrates in your tank, which for a FOWLR, may not be TOO bad. (depending on what species you keep) For a FOWLR, you MAY need that external filtration, or you may not, (again, depending on your bio-load and what species you keep) For a reef tank, live rock should be your main filtration source, NO outside mechanical filtration, NO outside biological filtration. I know this is counter to what we've always done for freshwater tanks, but the live rock becomes a VERY efficient biological filter, even to the point of helping reduce nitrates, HOWEVER, you need to have a LOT of rock in the tank, usually recommended at 1-1/2 to 2 lbs/gallon. You'll find that the vast majority of us run our reef tanks with ONLY live rock and a good quality protein skimmer. FOWLR tanks can be operated the same way, although you do need to keep a good eye on your bio-load. I'm a strong believer in protein skimming. It helps remove pollutants from your tank that you may not get out any other way, and even removes some things BEFORE they can become pollutants. I also like carbon filtration on an occasional basis, to remove colorants and chemicals from the water, but NOT run 24/7... __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

04-12-2006, 03:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dragon Wrasse Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: <-'\-> Howdy ! A good skimmer is always a good idea....welcome to RS!! __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* "A wise man learns more from a foolish question, then a fool learns from a wise answer" - Bruce Lee _____________________________ 75 gal SeaClear II Reef Tank (softy tank) - Coralife 125 Super Skimmer - Little Giant 2-MDQX-SC - Angstrom 2537 UV 15W - HOB Refugium - Eheim Pro 2228 - Red Sea Wave Maker w/Maxi-Jet 600 (X4) - 100 lbs Live Sand (DSB) - 100 lbs Live Rock - 260W PC lighting - 470nm lunar lights (X15) - AquaController II Custom 75 gal Starphire glass tank (SPS/LPS tank) - Custom 24 gal Refugium - Tuzne Wave box - JBJ Chiller - 390W PC lighting - 175W MH (X2) - Knop Cal. Reactor - AquaController 3 Pro - Aqua C Skimmer - Phosban Reactor - 18W Turbo-twist UV sterilizer - Sump - Sony Computer 5 gal Nano Hospital Tank - Eheim 2213 - Red Sea Prizm Skimmer - Live sand - Live Rock - Built in Refugium - 36W PC lighting

04-12-2006, 10:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
blade25 Bryozoan Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 43 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: <-'\-> Howdy ! what is a fowler

04-12-2006, 10:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rougiem Ichthy Inquisitor Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Biggest Little City In The World Posts: 2,898 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: <-'\-> Howdy ! Welcome to RS Wet! Blade ~ FOWLR = fish only with live rock Cheers! __________________ "Apes don't read philosophy." "Yes they do Otto, they just don't understand it." Intial School Tank Set Up and Progress

06-02-2006, 05:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 16,449 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: <-'\-> Howdy ! IMHO get the best skimmer you can. They pull lots of junk out of the tank before they can cause a problem. Peace Lynn __________________ 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 Jawfish enjoyment ASM answer girl. Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

06-02-2006, 07:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
billyr98 Reefing Addict Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ Posts: 5,399 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: <-'\-> Howdy ! I go with skimmer!! and welcome to RS! __________________ Billyr98 -=NJRC Treasurer=- My 450g Reef Tank ~~~ Its HERE!!!

06-02-2006, 07:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
cheeks69 Wannabe Guru Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast Posts: 6,533 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: <-'\-> Howdy ! There are many people that DON'T use skimmers and keep very successful reef tanks. There are other methods for exporting nutrients like frequent large water changes, a DSB and vegetable filters. I prefer a skimmer, to me it's just alot easier and it's so effective why wouldn't you want to use one ? I know it does remove important elements and plaknton but I've got plenty of food in my tank ! I don't recommend beginners going skimmerless but if you have plenty of experience and keep a low bio-load it can be accomplished JMHO __________________ Robert My Cube “A spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein

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