Thinking of setting up a FOWOLR

Palmer · #1 01-08-2012, 07:27 AM

The main reason for the post is that I know I am going against conventional advice and what has made my current reef successful. But to do something without LR I figured would require adjustments and other solutions would need to be looked at. I liked a lot of the suggestions like the deep sand bed and ozone and hiding the LR away underneath in the sump. Several things suggested I wouldnt have thought of.

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.

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #2 01-08-2012, 09:28 AM

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 · #3 01-08-2012, 12:37 PM

Quote:

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 · #4 01-08-2012, 06:25 PM

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)

intarsiabox · #5 01-08-2012, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burgerchow

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.

Great advice if you have a lot of cash to burn on dead fish. There are a lot of other reasons to not buy any fish you see other than being reef compatible. Do the research before buying any fish! Compatability, special diet, etc.

naesco · #6 01-09-2012, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Great advice if you have a lot of cash to burn on dead fish. There are a lot of other reasons to not buy any fish you see other than being reef compatible. Do the research before buying any fish! Compatability, special diet, etc.

Great advice from you. We have an obligation as reefers to provide the optimum of care for all the critters we remove from the ocean

burgerchow · #7 01-09-2012, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Great advice if you have a lot of cash to burn on dead fish. There are a lot of other reasons to not buy any fish you see other than being reef compatible. Do the research before buying any fish! Compatability, special diet, etc.

Yo, what I mean is that I'm assuming the op is savvy with fish husbandry, as he already has a large reef tank, and would know about asking about fish diets and special needs. What I mean is that if he saw a nice queen angel or even a goldflake angel, maybe a clown trigger, he could get them without worrying about whether they would eat his corals or invertebrates.
How many times have you been in a fish store and saw the most beautiful fishes, but regrettably have to pass because they weren't reef safe?
As for hiding places, the slate slabs make beautiful caves and crevices for hiding.

If you don't think I know my fish, I've been in the hobby for 35 years. Reef for 20 years.

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #8 01-09-2012, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burgerchow

Yo, what I mean is that I'm assuming the op is savvy with fish husbandry, as he already has a large reef tank, and would know about asking about fish diets and special needs. What I mean is that if he saw a nice queen angel or even a goldflake angel, maybe a clown trigger, he could get them without worrying about whether they would eat his corals or invertebrates.
How many times have you been in a fish store and saw the most beautiful fishes, but regrettably have to pass because they weren't reef safe?
As for hiding places, the slate slabs make beautiful caves and crevices for hiding.

If you don't think I know my fish, I've been in the hobby for 35 years. Reef for 20 years.

Good point. There is an absolutely gorgeous parrotfish at King Ed's that selling for a good price but I can't bring it home because I don't have a big fish only tank for it.

burgerchow · #9 01-09-2012, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

Good point. There is an absolutely gorgeous parrotfish at King Ed's that selling for a good price but I can't bring it home because I don't have a big fish only tank for it.

I know what u mean, I actually bought a gorgeous one at j&l the other day, but had to return it cause I bumped into Jason darr who was shutting down his big reef, and bought about 30 corals from him. Would have been an expensive dinner for the parrotfish. Lol
Seahorse, which tanks u still running? How's that eheim pro filter work out that I gave you?

paddyob · #10 01-17-2012, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

Good point. There is an absolutely gorgeous parrotfish at King Ed's that selling for a good price but I can't bring it home because I don't have a big fish only tank for it.

Having a big tank is only one issue with parrots. The specialized diet is a bigger issue.