Planet 150 FOWLR

[Bkatz1]

We just took delivery of our next tank. It's a Planet 150 (60x24x25). This build will be focusing on the not so "reef safe" species. It eventually may transform into a reef tank, but for now this what we are shooting for. The tank will be plumbed into the storage room behind the wall it's set against, so sump access will be easy. As for dry goods here is what we have so far:

Planet 150 (60x24x25)
36" Classic Planet Stand
30" Tideline Sump
Reef Octopus 150 Protein Skimmer
25 watt Aqua UV Sterilizer
Jeabo Marine 6500
Nero 5

*we are still waiting on our RO/DI system, and lights but excited to get started. I will update as frequently as possible. I will also be posting pictures on our IG @ellies_reef

 

[blaxsun]

"Marco..."

 

[fishguy242]

kids look reef safe to me...

 

[Reefer Reboot]

Let's see here, a well stocked bar, a pool table and a near by glass aquarium. I guess you could also say that the surrounding area is "not so reef safe"!;Nailbiting Just kidding, looks good!

 

[Bkatz1]

Update: we have rock, water, and cycled fishless. I kept the plumbing very simple, no leaks, and we are off to the races! Sump equipment will include Reef Octopus 150, Aqua UV 25watt, and a Jeabo 6500 return pump. Sump is in our utility room behind the tank. Just need to clean up some cords!

 

[Bkatz1]

We installed our protein skimmer in the sump today. My LFS printed me a custom skimmer stand on his 3D printer.

I also installed an ATO solenoid directly hooked up to our RODI system, and the top offs have been spot on.

So we are pushing along, current livestock is one Purple Knee Hermit, one Melenarus Wrasse, and 5 Green Chromis. Everyone is doing great and our parameters are in check. I'm going to start organizing our cords next.

 

[Bkatz1]

Installed our 25 W Aqua UV Sterilizer and final pump to complete our sump. Considering making a control board to clean up the left side. We are glad everything fits and hopefully our UV will help the overall health of our tank.

The Sump now consists of 7" filter sock, large media brick, Reef Octopus 150 protein skimmer, 25w UV, Spectrum ATO hooked up our RODI, and finally Jeabo return pump.

 

[Bkatz1]

Quick update on the tank, so far we have added most of our livestock and luckily have suffered 0 loss. Everyone is eating extremely well, frozen, nori, and off of an auto feeder for 7 days while we were away. Aggression is non existent, fingers crossed. Our parameters have stayed in check through our water changes and salinity has been stabile. It's very cool to see how much easier the FOWLR life is, compared to our reef tank upstairs! Here are some pics from the last few months.

 

[sante21079]

Good work!

 

[Leon821019218]

That's a very nice collection of fish!

 

[Bkatz1]

So everyone has been doing great, I did do something a little unconventional while stocking the tank. Since this will stay a fowler I chose to dose CopperSafe at 1.80 in the display while stocking. It worked great, all the fish stayed ich free (for the time being) and now that stocking is done, I have stripped the copper with water changes, carbon and poly filters. It has tested 0 for 2 weeks now and everyone still seems to be very happy. Feeding pretty heavily, and doing water changes bi-monthly. The parameters have stayed in check and more of a natural bio filter is starting with the copper out. I may try a few clean up crew members to see if my copper is really at 0. We will see.

One thing I have noticed is there are not a ton of FOWLR videos, advice, and personal experiences on here so I'm hoping to add as much as possible for others looking for new FOWLR setups. The tanks current inhabitants include:

Regal Angel
Flame Angel
Lemonpeel Angel
Blue Hippo Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Purple Tang
Tomini Tang
Melanarus Wrasse
Midas Blenny
Disbar Anthias
Blue Chromis (5)

*We rehomed our Blue Girdled Angel to a friend. It was very shy and being bullied by the PBT and Purple Tang.

 

[Bkatz1]

Tank is doing good, I added an Apex eL to the sump set up. We are out of town here and there so this helps with piece of mind while away... all fish are healthy and gaining weight. Here are a few recent pics.