Thinking of setting up a FOWOLR

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I usually have a large sump/refugium (ie. 90g wide under a 165g display) and I keep up 100 lbs of cured live rock in there along with cheato for nutrient export. I also used to keep a large plastic tub filled with 8"-10" of sand as an in-sump remote deep sandbed. In this way, I could remove the dsb if I wanted to without too much trouble.

However, I like live rock in a fish only because it gives the fish a place to hide, swim through, etc.

[kole]

Originally Posted by Palmer

How about algae turf filtration? That looked like some work and a bit of a mess from what I read about it but people seem to be getting good results.

I think you should give the scrubber a try. Read up on it. It is very easy to build and will keep nitrates and phosphates low while being able to give the fish the food they are going to need.

[burgerchow]

no problem with fish only tank. We been doing them for decades before the berlin method came about. Just make sure you got a really strong skimmer, good wet/dry filter ( diy in a big sump) and you're set to go.
Actually, fish only tank is really fun. Everytime you go to the lhs and see a cool looking fish you want, no worries about if it's reef safe. Just buy what you see. Would also recommend a large uv sterilizer, ( at least 25 watts)

[SauceBoss]

Originally Posted by Reef Pilot

Can't say myself, because have never tried that. But if you have enough surface area with your old rock work and bio balls with beneficial bacteria, maybe that is enough to provide an adequate nitrogen cycle for your organic waste. Then use a bio pellet reactor and with your skimmer you may be able to keep your nitrates low enough.

Why don't you give it a try and let us know how it works out. You can always add live rock later, or fill up a sump with it.

+1000

[Palmer]

In my case in particular there still is a lot I don't know about saltwater species because I have avoided many fish for my 120 G reef. After having Cichlids for years I really didnt want to deal with a lot of fish aggression. So I have 6 fish in my reef but all farily small and polite to each other

I plan on researching any fish I get for the next tank and only asked for suggestions because of the expertise on this board and the fact that I can be lazy and get recommendations and have some great conversations about fish at the same time .