75 gallon reef or fowlr?

[beang2299]

So I am working on starting up my first salt water tank. It's 75 gallons and I have the fluval fx4 canister filter. I mostly can't decide what I wanna do. If I should do a reef tank or if I wanna do a fowlr tank. I have fish that I really want that would work for both tanks but I just can't decide. I want to do a few clown fish a flame angel a pearlscale butterfly fish Chalk bass bengaii cardinals lion fish snowflake eel firefish tomini tang and more that I can't think of at the moment. What do you think would be the best option? Also if you have any other fish recommendations please let me know

 

[PBar]

Dear colleague,
my first reaction is… it doesn’t matter much … you will end up with a reef tank sooner or later

Jokes aside, what I would suggest is to start step by step with a FOWLR… and probably later you can move to a reef.

My only initial concern is linked to the setup for the tank. If I understand correctly you want to use a canister filter, right?
If that is the case, unfortunately this is not the best or the easiest way for a saltwater tank (it is possible, but… very difficult and will limit you in many things).

Very important suggestion (if you allow me) that will save you not only money but also future frustrations:
Spend a bit more time researching on basic setups for marine tanks before considering any final decision. For instance, the use of a sump and skimmer.

There a many videos or articles explaining everything.

I‘m more than happy to help you in case of any doubt or suggestions.
Let me know!
Cheers

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Do the reef tank, I think you will enjoy it more. I have a 75 gallon tank with an FX4 also.

 

[davidcalgary29]

A bigger concern is that you're going to end up with a tank with just two predators in it.
Fat, happy predators after they've eaten all the rest of your delicious little fish that you've thoughtfully provided for them. Is this the direction you really want to go?

 

[beang2299]

Dear colleague,
my first reaction is… it doesn’t matter much … you will end up with a reef tank sooner or later

Jokes aside, what I would suggest is to start step by step with a FOWLR… and probably later you can move to a reef.

My only initial concern is linked to the setup for the tank. If I understand correctly you want to use a canister filter, right?
If that is the case, unfortunately this is not the best or the easiest way for a saltwater tank (it is possible, but… very difficult and will limit you in many things).

Very important suggestion (if you allow me) that will save you not only money but also future frustrations:
Spend a bit more time researching on basic setups for marine tanks before considering any final decision. For instance, the use of a sump and skimmer.

There a many videos or articles explaining everything.

I‘m more than happy to help you in case of any doubt or suggestions.
Let me know!
Cheers

I have looked into doing a sump but it's just not feasible at the moment for me. What do you juggest?

 

[beang2299]

Do the reef tank, I think you will enjoy it more. I have a 75 gallon tank with an FX4 also.

Is it really as bad as everyone says? Any time I say that I have the fx4 everyone just says it's a terrible idea and way to much work

 

[MONTANTK]

Go with the reef! I would also carefully look over your fish selection. Lionfish and Eels won’t mix well with with some of the smaller fish you mentioned. The pearls ale may also nip at some corals but can’t say for certain.

As long as you’re not planning on keeping any super demanding corals the canister should be fine. Start with some softies and some easier LPS and you will have yourself a beautiful reef!

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Is it really as bad as everyone says? Any time I say that I have the fx4 everyone just says it's a terrible idea and way to much work

I love it, I could careless what others think about my setup, everyone does reefing different. I'm in no hurry to keep up with the Jones'

 

[Sleeping Giant]

I also use a hob aquamaxx 1.5 skimmer, it works great.
Canisters work, sumps work, AIO work. It just depends on your dedication to keeping your reef as good as you possibly can. We're all guilty of not keeping up. Anything is possible.

 

[SlugSnorter]

So I am working on starting up my first salt water tank. It's 75 gallons and I have the fluval fx4 canister filter. I mostly can't decide what I wanna do. If I should do a reef tank or if I wanna do a fowlr tank. I have fish that I really want that would work for both tanks but I just can't decide. I want to do a few clown fish a flame angel a pearlscale butterfly fish Chalk bass bengaii cardinals lion fish snowflake eel firefish tomini tang and more that I can't think of at the moment. What do you think would be the best option? Also if you have any other fish recommendations please let me know

the snowflake would eat some of that stuff, also I think 75 is the bare minimum to have one, a bit bigger could be good. if you go with Eel you will have to go Fowlr as they drop water quality due to their slime, messiness and diet

 

[beang2299]

A bigger concern is that you're going to end up with a tank with just two predators in it.
Fat, happy predators after they've eaten all the rest of your delicious little fish that you've thoughtfully provided for them. Is this the direction you really want to go?

I know that the fish won't all mix. These are just some fish I want not necessarily all together

 

[PBar]

Hello,
as I said, not ideal but still possible.
I suggest you to consider/think about the use of hang-on skimmer.
Good luck!

 

[SlugSnorter]

I know that the fish won't all mix. These are just some fish I want not necessarily all together

for most of those fish, you could go with a docile reef, you could even keep a few garden eels in a very docile reef tank

 

[JumboShrimp]

FOWLRs can be a lot of fun— that’s my 2-cents. And by the way, Pearlscale Butterflies are beautiful, and way overlooked.

 

[beang2299]

FOWLRs can be a lot of fun— that’s my 2-cents. And by the way, Pearscale Butterflies are beautiful, and way overlooked.

I know I randomly saw one at petco and was like I have to have one! They are incredible

 

[Ancient Mariner]

If you have no experience with saltwater, I’d do FOWLR 1st just to get basics of chemistry and maintenance. Once it looks good and you can picture stepping it up in terms of maintenance, additives/dosing, extra equipment and upgrades, and cost then consider a reef. The step up will definitely require upgrade lighting and circulation at least, and maybe automatic top off and dosing. By going FOWLR first you might also prep the live rock and overall system for an easier transition to a reef.

and by doing it stepwise you will be practicing the number 1 virtue of this hobby: patience. Go slowly and deliberately and you will be successful.

 

[beang2299]

If you have no experience with saltwater, I’d do FOWLR 1st just to get basics of chemistry and maintenance. Once it looks good and you can picture stepping it up in terms of maintenance, additives/dosing, extra equipment and upgrades, and cost then consider a reef. The step up will definitely require upgrade lighting and circulation at least, and maybe automatic top off and dosing. By going FOWLR first you might also prep the live rock and overall system for an easier transition to a reef.

and by doing it stepwise you will be practicing the number 1 virtue of this hobby: patience. Go slowly and deliberately and you will be successful.

would you recommend getting only reef safe fish?

 

[BanjoBandito]

considering the pain and suffering of dinos I've had in my reef tank, I'd go back to a FOWLR tank and if I wanted corals wouldn't add them until a year or 2 down the road honestly. Probably my next plan.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

would you recommend getting only reef safe fish?

Not necessarily. As long as you have a friend or LFS to unload fish that might not work out in the future.

 

[Ancient Mariner]

would you recommend getting only reef safe fish?

And don’t overstock!