Beginner Setting up a Red Sea E170 Fowlr Have questions

[Ritchie G]

Hello. I made a post about a week ago and got good info on where to go to learn about setting up a Fowlr Tank. I have not bought anything yet, just looking for all info so I can get everything I need before going through the steps. I am going to post what what I learned and would like to know some things that I am still not sure about. After I get all of this dialed in I will make a new post about fish and clean up crew.

This is what I have on my list so far.
45 Gal Red Sea E-170 Tank/Stand
Lighting (comes with Tank)
Protein Skimmer (comes with Tank)
Thick Super Glue x2
20 Lb Special Grade Arag-Alive Reef Sand
RO/DI Water system
Brute Trash Cans
200W Titanium Heater System
Classic Sea Salt Mix - Tropic Marin
One & Only Saltwater Live Nitrifying Bacteria - Dr Tims
Red Sea Ammonia Test Kit
Salifert Nitrate Aquarium Test Kit
24" Aquablade Glass Scraper
Piranha Float Plus
1" Pro-clean Small Tall Gravel Wash
4x8 BRS Mesh Media Bag with Drawstring
Bulk Premium ROX 0.8 Aquarium Carbon




Q1 - I am going to use Dry Live Rock and Live Sand. For the red sea E170 (37 gal display tank) how much foundation rock should I get? they have small, med, large sizes and how much regular should I get? I want to make a nice amount of caves and hiding spots.

Q2 - What kind of powerheads do I need for a FOWLR tank this size?

Q3 - Anything that I would need that I dont have on my list? Anything I dont need?

Thank you all in advance. I truly appreciate it.

Ritchie

 

[JumboShrimp]

Hey, Richie, welcome.

You will have a good start with that equipment; good choice of sand, too.

Having had many FOWLRs before (you can check out my build thread for something current), I’d say to start doing a ton of reading on the fish you want well in advance. Plan your long-game, because 45 gallons will go quickly after rock and sand (and of course you can’t fill a tank to the brim). A few early-on impulse purchases on fish, and you can find yourself boxed in by having an overcrowded tank, or incompatible fish. Not to mention now you haven’t gotten that one or two fish you really, really wanted! Just like people window shop before they buy, start window shopping on the Internet with fish-seller websites, and videos. Best wishes, and keep asking questions here on R2R.

 

[vetteguy53081]