Planning a FOWLR

docscorals

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Dec 13, 2025
Messages
606
Reaction score
563
Location
Madison
What state or country do you live in
Alabama
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
So I am upgrading my 75 gallon reef to a UNS180. When I do,
I will be moving this tank to a new spot and would like to put a FOWLR/Predator tank where my 75 gallon currently sits. There are a number of fish I would love to get, but can’t because of my corals.

I would love some feedback on size or tank recommendations (NO Red Sea please). The spot I have is 60 inches long and no more than about 30 inches wide.

Some of the potential fish I would love to stock it with include (this is a list of different ones I’m looking at, obviously not all will go in the tank):
Snowflake eel
Jeweled eel
Picasso trigger
Niger trigger
Clown trigger
Coral beauty
Emperor angel
Queen angel
Girdled angel
Narrow line puffer
Blue porcupine puffer

Thoughts on size, equipment, lighting are all appreciated.
 
For that area a traditional 120g tank (48x24x24) would fit nice. Some of those fish you mentioned will out grow the 120 but it’s a nice start.

If it was me starting a new FOWLR I’d start with real live rock from a place like Tampa Bay Live Rock. You’ll cycle the tank so quick and it will give you a tremendous head start. I read here once a great insight on using live reef rock. All the risk of pest from live rock we worry about in a reef tank doesn’t matter in a FOWLR because most of fish you want to put in it like triggers and puffer will happily make those pests a snack, lol!

Also a big sump with a big skimmer. That’s always a must with messy eaters.

Some things I feel people forget sometimes is water flow and lighting. These fish still come from the same environment your corals come from. They may not need water movement and bright light to survive like corals but I feel they benefit from it tremendously. Not saying go spend 3k on a light but a buy a good strong LED strip and some powerhead, it will go a long way.
 
Thanks @PhishEDELIC . Are there any on the list you would not recommend for a 120?
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHICH TYPE OF MISTAKE TAUGHT YOU YOUR MOST EXPENSIVE REEFKEEPING LESSON?

  • Moving too quickly or adding too much at once

    Votes: 8 29.6%
  • Skipping—or shortening—quarantine or dipping

    Votes: 5 18.5%
  • Buying the wrong equipment the first time

    Votes: 4 14.8%
  • Ignoring maintenance, warning signs, or redundancy

    Votes: 9 33.3%
  • Chasing numbers or making too many changes

    Votes: 3 11.1%
  • Choosing incompatible fish, corals, or invertebrates

    Votes: 5 18.5%
  • Poor aquascaping or tank-design decisions

    Votes: 2 7.4%
  • Failing to research an animal’s needs

    Votes: 1 3.7%
  • Trusting bad advice

    Votes: 4 14.8%
  • Doing something on the tank when you should've gone to bed

    Votes: 5 18.5%
  • Something else—tell us below

    Votes: 4 14.8%
  • I’m still waiting for my first expensive lesson!

    Votes: 3 11.1%
Back
Top
Home
Post thread…
Market
What's new