Recommendations please :)

Kiteboarder85 · Mar 26, 2014

Hello reef world!

This is my first post within this community and I'm hoping to get into a lot of discussions. What I need help with is equipment recommendations.

My plan is a FOWLR and I'll be working with a 56 GAL column tank. I have no intentions to have it drilled because it's tempered. So, what type of filter and/or protein skimmer should I get? Both of my local shops are telling me a hang on filter will be sufficient enough with my live rock and fish only plan. They pointed out the Marineland 400 would be enough for me. I'm scratching my head wondering if that really would be enough?

If I can get a few suggestions as far as what equipment I should be looking for, I'd really appreciate the support from the experienced community here.

Thank you all!

Kiteboarder85 · Mar 26, 2014

Whoops- attached a double photo! You can tell I'm new ;)

phillrodrigo · Mar 26, 2014

Live rock a few powerheads and a protien skimmer. Since your not going to do a sump your gonna have to use a hob skimmer. I think the only decent hob skimmer are the reef octopus bh series. Most of the time its only the bottom that is tempered so if you want a sump look into it. You can drill out the back wall and silicone a overflow to the back wall.

SeahorseKeeper · Mar 26, 2014

I would also recommend looking into the Reef Octopus line of protein skimmers. They would be good. It is possible to do a sump with an external overflow if that is the route that you wanted to go.

Kiteboarder85 · Mar 26, 2014

So are you both saying that a bio filter isn't needed and a protein skimmer only will suffice with just Fish only? Will the fish crap be cleaned this way?

NanaReefer · Mar 26, 2014

Depends on how many fish you plan on keeping. From the size of your tank my guess is you'll have at least 3-5 fish, right? In which case you will need some way of removing built up detritus. Now you can do this via weekly water changes or a very well made canister filter (which many frown upon) but not me :) Especially for a FOWLR. You can incorporate several types of filter media, both chemical and biological. My favorites are Eheim & Fluval. Look them up and you'll see what I mean. Don't be cheap!
As for a skimmer on a FOWLR? IMO it's more of a luxury then a necessity. But if you decide you want that luxury then I too suggest the Reef Octopus BH-1000. I'm running it and it's an awesome skimmer :)

Kiteboarder85 · Mar 27, 2014

That's pretty much what my LFS is recommending, except the canister filter. Just a Bio wheel hand on the back one. I'm planning 5-6 fish at the moment, but that would be months down the road as I would add one additional as months go by to make sure previous additions to the tank are doing good. Do you think just a bio wheel like the Marine 400 would be sufficient? The protein skimmer is something I will add later - money is not an issue at all, I just don't want equipment that really isn't needed but more of a luxury.

3dees · Mar 27, 2014

other than a skimmer, a filter Is just one more Item to maintain and It's not needed. my 120 gal. has 140 lbs of live rock, a hob skimmer, two powerheads, and a heater. I started It as a fowlr but have been adding softies. seven months and everything Is fine. get a skimmer Instead of a filter. I also run It without a sump.

Hentz · Mar 27, 2014

This is literally the first tank I ever bought which my parents now have downstairs for clowns and anemone. I've actually been strongly debating as setting it up as a reef tank and throwing a Radion over it, overflow box and a sump down beneath. I may even change out the same stand we both have so I can add a bigger sump. Currently running a fluval canister on it.