Giving Saltwater a shot!

[The2393]

Hello everyone!

My name is Theo, I'm excited to join! I've been watching plenty of Youtube videos and reading articles about saltwater. I do have experience with freshwater, the biggest being a 210G African Cichlid tank. But now im thinking of giving saltwater a try!

I’m looking at a 75g or 90g FOWLR tank. Only problem is, where the tank is going I can’t fit a sump, so I was thinking about running two AC 110s with the surface skimmer mod and possibly adding a 3rd to use a refugium. Or i could fit an FX4 or FX6 but my understanding is they can cause lots of nitrate build up and I don’t necessarily need that much bio filtration. I’ll also have two wave makers and plenty of live rock (starting with dry and will use it to cycle)

I would like to have a decent amount of fish in the tank.
2 clowns, small school of chromis, goby, clean up crew, flame angel, and tomini tang.

Is this too much bio-load for this filtration? I plan on doing 20-30% bi-weekly water changes. Any help is greatly appreciate!!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[Crabs McJones]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[edsbeaker]

Hi Theo, and welcome to Reef 2 Reef
I’m curious why you don’t have room for a sump. What will the tank be sitting on?

 

[BryanM]

Hello everyone!

My name is Theo, I'm excited to join! I've been watching plenty of Youtube videos and reading articles about saltwater. I do have experience with freshwater, the biggest being a 210G African Cichlid tank. But now im thinking of giving saltwater a try!

I’m looking at a 75g or 90g FOWLR tank. Only problem is, where the tank is going I can’t fit a sump, so I was thinking about running two AC 110s with the surface skimmer mod and possibly adding a 3rd to use a refugium. Or i could fit an FX4 or FX6 but my understanding is they can cause lots of nitrate build up and I don’t necessarily need that much bio filtration. I’ll also have two wave makers and plenty of live rock (starting with dry and will use it to cycle)

I would like to have a decent amount of fish in the tank.
2 clowns, small school of chromis, goby, clean up crew, flame angel, and tomini tang.

Is this too much bio-load for this filtration? I plan on doing 20-30% bi-weekly water changes. Any help is greatly appreciate!!

welcome to the forums!

 

[Utubereefer]

Welcome to the club

 

[tzabor10]

Welcome

 

[fishface NJ]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[The2393]

Hi Theo, and welcome to Reef 2 Reef
I’m curious why you don’t have room for a sump. What will the tank be sitting on?

The tank will be sitting on a stand that was made for a 5ft 120G tank. The problem is, there are 2x4s in the middle providing additional support and the gap between them is only 12 inches wide. Unfortunately, when making the stand, I didnt think about a sump because I just ran 1 FX6 on each side. Never considered saltwater, so never considered a sump.

 

[edsbeaker]

The tank will be sitting on a stand that was made for a 5ft 120G tank. The problem is, there are 2x4s in the middle providing additional support and the gap between them is only 12 inches wide. Unfortunately, when making the stand, I didnt think about a sump because I just ran 1 FX6 on each side. Never considered saltwater, so never considered a sump.

Now I understand. Would you prefer a sump?
If you would could you either slide a sump in from one end, or from the top before you place the tank on it?

A sump would make life easier on that size tank.

 

[The2393]

Now I understand. Would you prefer a sump?
If you would could you either slide a sump in from one end, or from the top before you place the tank on it?

A sump would make life easier on that size tank.

I tried thinking of every possible way. The only thing that would fit would be maybe a 20g tank. Whatever tank it is, has to be 12inch or less wide, and no taller than 16inches in order to be able to get into it. Length isnt much of an issue, 36inches or less would be fine.

Couldnt find any real solutions so I thought 2 HOB with the skimmer mod might cut it.

 

[edsbeaker]

I tried thinking of every possible way. The only thing that would fit would be maybe a 20g tank. Whatever tank it is, has to be 12inch or less wide, and no taller than 16inches in order to be able to get into it. Length isnt much of an issue, 36inches or less would be fine.

Couldnt find any real solutions so I thought 2 HOB with the skimmer mod might cut it.

That’s OK! The HOB’s will work!!!

 

[petcellar]

Welcome!!!!


I agree. You certainly can have a FOWLR that size without a sump.

A sump just gives you lots of options and flexibility when choosing your filtration options, but I think you'll be fine without since that's not possible in your situation.

I'm partial to canister filters over HOB filters, but that's just user preference.

If this really is a FOWLR tank (with live rock) then much of your biofiltration is actually from the live rock itself....

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world Theo. Take things slowly. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here!

 

[1112-425XL]

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !!