Liam’s 20long FOWLR

[FishingLovingSons]

Hello all! So Liam is our Kindergartener and he is getting our first taste of SW in his room! My stand is one I built custom for a 55g years ago and the tank was one I had.

We (wife and I) wanted this tank to be simpler because Liam mainly likes the fish so this one is going up sans sump. Equipment list and future stock to follow.

Equipment:
Biowheel 350 (wheels removed; floss and heaters)

AC 20 (no media; using as refugium)
Pond fountain LED (refugium light, timer set to light up 10pm-4am)

SUN Microsystems 800gph powerhead
Beamswork EA FSpec LED (if/or/until corals)
60 lbs of rock from Billy’s Reef Connection (used 20-25)

Smart Micro ATO (optic in DT, cut trim)

Anyone done this before? Caulk is high enough it doesn’t interfere with sensor... think this will work?!

Today I let Liam do his rock-scaping; with a few pointers from me. 20 minutes and only a little bit of super glue later he said “I’m done!”:

Sorry, blues only are hard for this phone to photograph... just know I was so proud of his scape skills!!! Right side is 1 huge rock with a small leaner for a tunnel; center rock is 3 different pieces we fixed up! He hid almost every single piece of equipment without me telling him to; guess OCD is genetic .

Tomorrow the tank will be filled with RO water and all equipment ran... testing for noise mostly since it’s in his bedroom. If all goes well we’ll then add salt and start cycling!

Stock:
Nothing special- Liam wants 2 clowns and gonna add 3 azure or yellowtail damsels after a couple months. Will consider an anemone and/or any easy care corals. Doors and drawers for stand are being painted and hope to install by this weekend.

 

[James M]

Looks like an awesome build. I really like the aquascape.
I would stay away from the damsels as they get aggressive.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Looks like a good start!

 

[FishingLovingSons]

Looks like an awesome build. I really like the aquascape.
I would stay away from the damsels as they get aggressive.

Thank you! To quote my son; “I want 2 Nemo fish and 3 blue fish... I know I can’t have a Dory in this tank!” Do you know of another “blue” fish that would work better?

Looks like a good start!

Thank you sir! I’ve had more fun setting this tank up with my son than the dozen or more FW tanks I’ve done all together!

Does anyone have any comments (good or bad) for the ATO sensor placement?

 

[James M]

I don’t know any good blue fish for your tank but what about a royal gramma.
I’ve seen people put the ATO sensor under the filter so it’s hidden but it’ll work where you have it

 

[FishingLovingSons]

I don’t know any good blue fish for your tank but what about a royal gramma.
I’ve seen people put the ATO sensor under the filter so it’s hidden but it’ll work where you have it

Thank you James. I’ll keep researching... damsels pretty much a hard no with this tank?

 

[FishingLovingSons]

Double post

 

[FishingLovingSons]

RODI water going in! Fun to fill this way; see where all the nooks and crannies lead to!

Next purchase is the extra membrane to double the output... like today!

 

[Biocube32]

Thank you James. I’ll keep researching... damsels pretty much a hard no with this tank?

I wouldnt say they are a hard no but with caution. Some people may disagree

 

[FishingLovingSons]

I wouldnt say they are a hard no but with caution. Some people may disagree

Hopefully they will work out... unless I can find a replacement fish in the next couple months

 

[FishingLovingSons]

Tank filled, all equipment running smoothly! Cut more of the top frame for the ATO sensor to sit higher; almost no splashing before it kicks on! Mostly from the AC20 but it’s running full power with blue/white poly for now... once I pull media, add macro algae, and reduce flow it will be little more than a trickle then. Bio wheel 350 is a little loud, I think the impeller may be slightly warped. I’ll order a new one but Liam said his room wasn’t loud at all!

Still hoping to figure a trio of “blue” fish to add in the future.

 

[FishingLovingSons]

Trimmed the rest of the framing around the ATO sensor... I can get the water level so much higher now even the AC20 outlet is submerged!

The SUN powerhead behind the rocks is working out very well... once the current wraps around behind the central rock formation the flow is reduced greatly before sweeping around the front glass!

Videos from my phone aren’t uploading- hard to tell from pic but is that enough surface agitation?

 

[FishingLovingSons]

Salt is in... SG higher than I want. Gonna remove a few gallons and refill with RODI. Should get it down to 1.027-1.028

It might bother some people but we will definitly be using a biological starter for this tank... I have done my fair share of cycling FW tanks and I know SW is different but I will wait for the living room tank to run a full cycle with the “uglies” before adding livestock.

10g QT set out in living room sitting empty at the moment. Receiving a shipment of “stuff” from BRS on Monday and that will include a tank mat that part of will sit under the QT (the surface the QT rests on isn’t perfectly flat so hoping the pad absorbs the bumps and levels out.

 

[FishingLovingSons]

On the subject of Biological Starters; what’s the preferred manufacturer- Dr Tim’s One and Only or IO Bio-Spira? I have both... if it matters initial stocking will be 2 clowns followed by shrimp/snails after QT. 3x blue damselfish or chromis to follow months down the road.

 

[FishingLovingSons]

2 regular clowns, 3 Ceriths, 4 Aestraea, and cleaner shrimp all acclimated yesterday... had to re-scape some. Filters were too close to the ATO Sensor so it malfunctioned continuously, had to move filters and then the rock to hide their intakes.

2 digital thermometers on tank testing cheapo vs decent brand; within decimals of each other. The glass therm will be removed. Everyone seems happy and at ease!

 

[BeejReef]

Looks great! Very thoughtful setup. You've got enough light for corals and you're starting with community and reef-safe livestock. Are you still thinking FOWLR all the way, or you leaving yourself some wiggle room?

 

[BeejReef]

Thank you! To quote my son; “I want 2 Nemo fish and 3 blue fish... I know I can’t have a Dory in this tank!” Do you know of another “blue” fish that would work better?



Thank you sir! I’ve had more fun setting this tank up with my son than the dozen or more FW tanks I’ve done all together!

Does anyone have any comments (good or bad) for the ATO sensor placement?

blue chromis is blue, cheap, and bulletproof. Probably the most common fish (aside from clows) in the hobby

 

[FishingLovingSons]

Looks great! Very thoughtful setup. You've got enough light for corals and you're starting with community and reef-safe livestock. Are you still thinking FOWLR all the way, or you leaving yourself some wiggle room?

Yeah the light is a FW full spec holdover from years back; temporary til we decide to keep FO or re-scape for a few hardy corals. Regardless we will add a nem in a few months.

Tank is coming out of the uglies and the chaeto HOB is producing well; adding the 3 Chromis/damsels soon.