Going to be setting up a 75G FOWLR

[Drasi]

This will be my first real full salt experience...

Hopefully soon I will be setting up a 75 gallon folwr tank. I'm getting very excited. I don't plan on corals right now, though I don't fully rule it out, but thats not my goal.

I have about 140lbs of live rock - I dont plan on using it all, but its what I got for a great price.

Definitely includes some hitchhikers I spotted.. I have seen Asterina starfish, a brisstleworm (decent size too, didnt get a chance for a pic - gotta work on that to make sure its not a fireworm), and some kind of fan worm thing as well.

First question - Do I add the rock first then sand, or should I do the sand first?

My stock idea is my Green spotted puffer and if he will tolerate anything else, possibly some other odds and ends in there. I'd like to plan on a few ideas on what to stock, I definitely want to try clown fish and I maybe some other non-aggressive fish in there to see how it goes (suggestions are more than welcome). I do have to be careful as whatever I put in it, in case it doesnt work out, could be moved to a biocube 32 (That will be my "backup" tank while we transition). Strategy would be non-aggressive fish in first, followed by the everyone else who might be more aggressive at the same time.

Last but not least - any recommended FOWLR aquascaping people have on similar 4' tanks? I'm thinking two sections of rock and try to have one or two cave/hide away in each area.

EDIT: Additional question - Should I aquascape this with water in the tank since its live rock?

 

[cshouston]

This will be my first real full salt experience...

Hopefully soon I will be setting up a 75 gallon folwr tank. I'm getting very excited. I don't plan on corals right now, though I don't fully rule it out, but thats not my goal.

I have about 140lbs of live rock - I dont plan on using it all, but its what I got for a great price.

Definitely includes some hitchhikers I spotted.. I have seen Asterina starfish, a brisstleworm (decent size too, didnt get a chance for a pic - gotta work on that to make sure its not a fireworm), and some kind of fan worm thing as well.

First question - Do I add the rock first then sand, or should I do the sand first?

My stock idea is my Green spotted puffer and if he will tolerate anything else, possibly some other odds and ends in there. I'd like to plan on a few ideas on what to stock, I definitely want to try clown fish and I maybe some other non-aggressive fish in there to see how it goes (suggestions are more than welcome). I do have to be careful as whatever I put in it, in case it doesnt work out, could be moved to a biocube 32 (That will be my "backup" tank while we transition). Strategy would be non-aggressive fish in first, followed by the everyone else who might be more aggressive at the same time.

Last but not least - any recommended FOWLR aquascaping people have on similar 4' tanks? I'm thinking two sections of rock and try to have one or two cave/hide away in each area.

rock first, then sand, to ensure a solid foundation that won’t be affected by anything which might burrow or move sand. This is a 90 gallon, but there is swimming space in front and behind. I recommend not just piling rocks against the back. It will also help with maintenance and prevent spots that turn into a detritus toilet.

 

[Drasi]

rock first, then sand, to ensure a solid foundation that won’t be affected by anything which might burrow or move sand. This is a 90 gallon, but there is swimming space in front and behind. I recommend not just piling rocks against the back. It will also help with maintenance and prevent spots that turn into a detritus toilet.

That is super inspiring, I love that!

 

[DaddyFish]

I have two 90-gal FOWLR tanks (actually one is FO, the other FOWLR) which are the same footprint as your 75, just taller.
140 lbs of rock is definitely way too much for a 75. You will want to balance your rock inventory against your filtration and planned fish population. Are you using a sump? Can some of that rock live in your sump?

Too much rock and you'll find yourself very limited on fish selection and size. Too little rock and you will face biological/cycling issues. So you probably want to give serious thought where this tank will end up in say two years; with lots of corals, lots of fish, or a fairly even split.

A couple suggested rules for rock...
* No more than half the height of your tank occupied by rock.
* Keep all your rocks far enough away from the tank sides to permit a mag scraper to freely pass.
* Use larger base rocks whenever possible and build from there. There will come a time when you need to remove the rock decor for some reason and you want that gorgeous aquascape to come out and go back in intact.

 

[cshouston]

That is super inspiring, I love that!

this is the side view. Live rock can be out of water for a little while without harm, but I’d be ready to fill‘er up right away once you have something you like.

 

[Drasi]

I have two 90-gal FOWLR tanks (actually one is FO, the other FOWLR) which are the same footprint as your 75, just taller.
140 lbs of rock is definitely way too much for a 75. You will want to balance your rock inventory against your filtration and planned fish population.

Too much rock and you'll find yourself very limited on fish selection and size. Too little rock and you will face biological/cycling issues. So you probably want to give serious thought where this tank will end up in say two years; with lots of corals, lots of fish, or a fairly even split.

Yeah, I figure its way more than I need. It gives me options for what I want to do, and I might look at breaking/cutting if need be to get to where I want to be.. though that will probably create a longer process just to cure/etc. This was just a good deal based on a certain dollar amount I was planning on spending, and I got WAY more than I needed. Some I will probably toss into the biocube afterwards and get that going, then figure out what to do with the rest (maybe sell)