AIO FOWLR Build - Could use advice!

[BBestvin]

A friend of mine is going to replace his 55g Hex tank with a 75g Hex tank with a built in filtration system (rear chambers). He's always had freshwater, but is considering going to salt, and asked for my advice since I keep saltwater tanks (reefs, nanos, 30g or less). He wants to make it as simple as possible, so I recommended a FOWLR tank, as corals introduce another layer of complexity (and $$$). I have never built such a large FOWLR tank and was hoping for some advice. He doesn't want a large stock list, so I believe that will help keep the bio-load down. These are my initial thoughts for him. I'm not sure what to do with inverts if he were to get an eel, but I'd like a few interesting fish to make saltwater worth his time and I think an eel would do the trick.

1) RODI System
2) Reef Crystals
3) 75-100lbs of Live Rock
4) He could use his current gravel substrate (larger particles, small smooth rocks)
5) Filter pads/floss
6) Carbon/Purigen
7) More live rock in the rear chambers?
8) Heater
9) Skimmer? Absolutely necessary with low bio-load and water changes?

Stock List:
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
2 Firefish
1 Yellow Tang
1 Longnose Hawkfish
1 Snowflake Eel?
Pencil Urchin
Inverts as Cleaner Crew?

Any other ideas for easy to keep fish/inverts that would add color to the tank? Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[laverda]

I would not use his existing substrate. Araganite sand helps a reef tank stable. While his old gravel may contain undesirable elements. I would skip the yellow tang as your bio load is not that light and the tank configuration is not the most suitable. You will want a net top as the firefish and hawk are very prone to jumping.

 

[BBestvin]

Am wondering what anyone would recommend in terms of stocking a 75g? I would like a few interesting fish, but nothing crazy. What would be considered a light bioload?

 

[FrioActual]

A friend of mine is going to replace his 55g Hex tank with a 75g Hex tank with a built in filtration system (rear chambers). He's always had freshwater, but is considering going to salt, and asked for my advice since I keep saltwater tanks (reefs, nanos, 30g or less). He wants to make it as simple as possible, so I recommended a FOWLR tank, as corals introduce another layer of complexity (and $$$). I have never built such a large FOWLR tank and was hoping for some advice. He doesn't want a large stock list, so I believe that will help keep the bio-load down. These are my initial thoughts for him. I'm not sure what to do with inverts if he were to get an eel, but I'd like a few interesting fish to make saltwater worth his time and I think an eel would do the trick.

1) RODI System
2) Reef Crystals
3) 75-100lbs of Live Rock
4) He could use his current gravel substrate (larger particles, small smooth rocks)
5) Filter pads/floss
6) Carbon/Purigen
7) More live rock in the rear chambers?
8) Heater
9) Skimmer? Absolutely necessary with low bio-load and water changes?

Stock List:
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
2 Firefish
1 Yellow Tang
1 Longnose Hawkfish
1 Snowflake Eel?
Pencil Urchin
Inverts as Cleaner Crew?

Any other ideas for easy to keep fish/inverts that would add color to the tank? Thanks in advance for any advice!

I would recommend a wrasse in there as well. Also I don’t know how involved you’d be in your friends tank but probably start with only the hardiest fish (most on the list already are).