How do you keep your FOWLR clean?

[Reefing102]

Hey all,

So after seeing this beauty today at the LFS:

I’m thinking about starting a FOWLR but how do you guys keep them clean as far as inverts since many are eaten by those that are kept in FOWLR tanks

 

[blaxsun]

Nice fish! I'm also curious to hear the responses...

 

[tjohnson3]

Hey all,

So after seeing this beauty today at the LFS:

I’m thinking about starting a FOWLR but how do you guys keep them clean as far as inverts since many are eaten by those that are kept in FOWLR tanks

1. An awesome protein skimmer. Do NOT skimp on the $$ here.
2. Frequent water changes/vacuum substrate
3. Avoid over feeding… only several small meals throughout the day

 

[Reefing102]

Gotcha. Large protein skimming to remove the excess organics

 

[Hermie]

Algae Turf Scrubber

 

[kados]

Things that have ready been mentioned.. Big water changes, vacuum substrate, brushes for cleaning rocks if necessary. A quality UV keeps tank walls clean (I only run a UV for algae reduction on panels.. Will not help on rocks). A good strong skimmer. FOWLR life is good. I run GFO to keep phosphate low since I feed heavy. Tank is always crystal clear minimal algae.

 

[Reefing102]

Appreciate the responses. Now to find a suitable tank (should probably get rid of the the lizards…free up space…hmm ideas. Ideas

 

[Waters]

One good thing about running a FOWLR is the ability to shut the lights off for extended periods of time without hurting livestock. Does wonders for keeping rocks clean.

 

[Dbichler]

buy big Mexican turbo snails, hermits and fighting conchs. All of which have hard enough shells which most fish can’t bite through. Just have to make sure turbos get flipped back over if they flip.

 

[Hermie]

No but seriously,


Algae turf scrubber



Check out Reefer James on youtube, he has several fowlr setups and tackled algae with ATS

 

[BigSkyRich]

No but seriously,


Algae turf scrubber



Check out Reefer James on youtube, he has several fowlr setups and tackled algae with ATS

Interested in your thoughts/experience on the ATS. I'm getting ready to build my FOWLR - 130 Gallon. Currently have my first reef tank running for 1.5 years (mixed) using a skimmer. Going back and forth on scrubber v skimmer. Your thoughts/suggestions appreciated

 

[Hermie]

Interested in your thoughts/experience on the ATS. I'm getting ready to build my FOWLR - 130 Gallon. Currently have my first reef tank running for 1.5 years (mixed) using a skimmer. Going back and forth on scrubber v skimmer. Your thoughts/suggestions appreciated

I don't own an ATS, and I have a skimmer and refugium. I'd have both an ATS and a skimmer because they serve different though overlapping functions. ATS generally replaces a refugium not a skimmer. ATS are very simple. They have a function and make it easy: Grow Algae and export it from your system. Meleev's reef also has a lot of videos recently of his ATS use (on youtube).

 

[Largeangels]

Water changes, protein skimmer, filter socks (changed often)

 

[Reefing102]

Thanks for the responses so far guys. It’s appreciated

 

[Roger D]

I set up a predator tank and drilled three holes. The two ends are skimmers the center one I dropped down the back to the bottom put a "t" on it and strainers. Since I have a bare bottom all seems to get sucked to the back center. Just remember to drill a hole just below your water line in the 90 going down so it doesn't siphon your tank if you lose power.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Aren't lionfish reef safe with caution? I think they eat inverts but don't touch coral. Correct me if I'm wrong

 

[Reefing102]

They are as a general rule, it is the inverts that are the issue

 

[GHOSTLY]

To keep a fowlr clean water changes, home for bacteria, skimmers, and even a refugium that's on the majority of the day could probably help

 

[Pneumatic_Addict]

+1 for a quality UV Sterilizer & Skimmer. Buy a skimmer rated for over the tank volume.

Flow is also a factor. Doesn’t have to be strong, just consistent throughout the tank. Keep an open aquascape, avoid the stereotypical “Rock Pile”.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I feed very heavily— on average I’d say 8x per day. I use a skimmer, UV sterilizer, and filter pads/floss. (Right now I only clean my front glass— letting the sides and back do as they please.)