Getting lost in setting up

Bounce · Jan 20, 2015

Hey forum buddies,

I'm a long time lurker, first time poster, and I have a question about starting out.

I've been interested in starting out on a FOWLR tank, progressing to corals and a clam or two when the tank is mature enough. I've been reading and reading, watching and watching, but I'm still unsure as to what I will need to get the tank up and running.

I have my eyes on a 60x24x24 DT with a sump, she will have sand and LR. My LFS said all I would need in the sump is some LR, a skimmer and maybe a phosphate reactor to begin with.

I've been struggling to confirm this online anywhere, as everyone seems to do it differently, and as it can turn into a serious investment, I'd like to get as much right on the first go as possible.

One other thing, are there any brands to steer clear of? There are so many but I obviously haven't heard of any of them, being new to the scene.

Thanks for your time

vlangel · Jan 20, 2015

Hi Bounce and greetings! You are right about everyone doing things different and there are more than 1 right way to do things. Your display is a reasonably big tank and if I were you I'd probably go with a bigger sump as well so that you have more options down the line. Since you'd like clams some day I'd think about your livestock list and consider only clam safe animals, (no nippers and such) Do you like a minimalist aquascape or a fair amount of rock to mount coral on? Do you like softie coral, LPS or sticks (SPS). The scape and type of coral will somewhat determine what equipment you will need. For example, if you like lots of movement and long flowing tentacles then you might want a tank with more rock to lift some LPS up higher so your coral are not stinging each other. All that rock may do enough filtration that you wouldn't need reactors. LPS don't like ultra clean water. However, if you like the colors of SPS then you don't need as much rock and can do a bonsai effect and use reactors to get more filtration. Another thing to keep in mind is how much maintenance and monitoring do you want to do? Softies need the least, LPS are next and SPS need the most. They also need the most intense lighting. However if you want clams you will at least need moderately high lighting, at least T5s. Sorry this is so much text, but if you think about what you want at the beginning then you won't be reworking it later.

Reefing Madness · Jan 20, 2015

You don't need to put any LR in the Sump, you can keep it all in the DT. Skimmer, heaters, reactors would all be fed off the sump, thats really a good plcae for them all, being as you don't want that equipment seen in the DT.
The GFO Reactor would be entirely up to you, but if you get one, yes it would go there.
You could dose a Lanthanum Product instead of using a Phosphate Reactor, that too would be up to you.

Bounce · Jan 20, 2015

I have a vague idea on what I would like in the tank, but have yet to look into it properly.

So far I have on the list:

Fish:-

Clowns 2+ I would love a harem
Yellow tang
Some sort of colourful wrasse
I would love an Achilles tang, chevron tang and emperor angel, but I don't think my tank will be anywhere near big enough.
My daughter would have loved sea horses, but after doing 5 minutes they are quite limiting on other fish options

Coral:-

I like the looks of devils hand
Hammer coral
Duncans
Blue mushrooms
Flower tree coral

Other
Clams 1 or 2
Bubble tip nem

I'm struggling on deciding on a skimmer, power heads and what to do with lights. Do you have any recommendations? I would love LED's purely for the energy costs.

I've penciled in a jaebo dc-3000 for the return pump

vlangel · Jan 20, 2015

You are right about your tank not being large enough for those fish. Many would say no tangs should go in your tank and that can cause heated debates on forums from what I have seen. You definitely could enjoy clowns and a colorful wrasse and your list of corals and clam and nem would be compatible.
I went without a skimmer for many years and a lot may depend on your bioload and how heavily you stock the tank and how many and how big your water changes. I would think with the corals you've chosen you would want some power heads. I use koralias because they are cheap and do the job but they are not low profile. Because I am old school I like T5s for lighting but LEDs can really offer you a lot of choices with color, shimmer and have more custom programmable capability. It's economical to run but not usually to buy at the onset although they are getting better all the time, especially if you have diy skills. My T5s are not programmable beyond the blues come on, then the whites and then they turn off and the moonlight leds come on. I buy new bulbs every year and probably should sooner than that. Hope that helps.