Whats needed for a FOWLR

n4soccer06 · Oct 1, 2018

I've gone myself confused in all my research and talking with people and I'm hoping guys can get me back on track. I'm doing a 60gal FOWLR tank with a 55gal sump. What should be in my sump for a FOWLR tank? So far a have a Reef Octopus 150INT protein skimmer and a Neptune COR-20. My current plan for my sump is to have the protein skimmer area then an area for the fuge (future plan) and then an area for the return. I plan on having ATO into the sump. What else do I need and do you have any suggestion on changing my current sump plan?

Gareth elliott · Oct 1, 2018

Welcome!
Your plan sounds solid so far.

Whats needed for a fowlr is:
Something to move water over the rock.(power heads)

Something for nutrient export(fuge, skimmer, water changes all are valid options)

A light to view your fish and gove them a day light period.

Something to keep temperatures in the fishes range. Most of us this is a heater, but tropical climates or warm houses this could be a chiller or fans.

A plan for evaporation

For fowlr i like the berlin method, its simple, its easy to manage and proven over 30 years.

What fish have you decided on?

n4soccer06 · Oct 1, 2018

Awesome.

For power heads I'm thinking of using the Vortech MP10. I plan on starting with 1 and seeing if I need to add another.

Would like to keep my tank maintenance manageable. I'm hope to be able to major maintenance somewhere between once every 1-6 months.

I haven't even started my research on lighting yet. Although, I do see lighting will be quite expense.

I will actually be able to have my sump in the basement directly below the display. So I will definitely need a heater. Hopefully, I wont need a chiller but we will see.

I'll trying to. I plan on running a RO DI system, that get stored in a 32 gal container. I also plan on using a ATO. I'm still unsure of what to do / or how to create and monitor the saltwater. I haven't gotten my research to that point yet. I am open to suggestions and info.

I'm not sure what the berlin method is yet. I need to do some reading on that.

I know I want a puffer (dog face or spotted) but that's it so far.

Gareth elliott · Oct 1, 2018

Lighting a fowlr is pretty inexpensive, strip light and a timer.

Look at current and finnex. Both have offerings that meet this bill.

My ato uses sensors to determine when it falls below a certain level fills till at that level. I then spot check occasionally with a refractometer.

For flow on a fowlr look at 20-30x your tank volume. So around 1800 total gph.

Dog face will get too big for a 60g. Smaller puffers will be much better choice.

n4soccer06 · Oct 1, 2018

Perfect, I like to hear that. The expense lights are for more growing coral then?

I will

Do you have 2 containers for your ATO. One for fresh RO DI water and then one that uses RO DI water to create saltwater and your ATO pulls water from the second contatiner?

Does 20-30x include the return pump flow rate?

Got yeah, I haven't done any research on fish yet. I figure I will do that once I have everything figured with the tank and sump.

Gareth elliott · Oct 1, 2018

n4soccer06 said:
Perfect, I like to hear that. The expense lights are for more growing coral then?

I will

Do you have 2 containers for your ATO. One for fresh RO DI water and then one that uses RO DI water to create saltwater and your ATO pulls water from the second contatiner?

Does 20-30x include the return pump flow rate?

Got yeah, I haven't done any research on fish yet. I figure I will do that once I have everything figured with the tank and sump.

I have a single rodi reservoir hooked up. Some have more complex mixing stations. Mine is simply a container some shutoff valves and lid and a pump to pump into a different container. I then either fill my ato or pour into a bucket to make salt water. If i had more room i would probably add a second connected container to mix and hold saltwater. Yes the flow rate includes return. With fowlr dont have to worry about corals just dead zones. Add and subtract so almost everywhere gets enough movement to keep uneaten food and waste from ending up in your sand bed.