Thinking about setting up a FOWLR tank

[rusty shackleford yes]

Hey y’all, I have a 13.5 gallon reef tank but I’ve been wanting some cool fish, so I was thinking of setting up a 50-60 gallon saltwater fish & invert only tank. I’ll probably just get a used tank off of FB marketplace (there’s a 60gal on there for 60$ right now lol). I’ll also get live rock & sand.

Do yall have any fish and non-reef safe inverts you’d recommend? I was thinking of a royal gramma, a school of blue damsels, and a chocolate chip sea star so far, what else could I put in there? Thanks y’all!

 

[JumboShrimp]

FOWLRs are fantastic, in my opinion. But note that although a 60-gallon tank may sound big, with sand, rock, etc., you will still have to be strategic as to which fish you get-- so you don't have compatibility issues in a semi-small confine, nor find that you have 'filled up' before getting your most hoped-for fish. This is a long winded way of saying research, research, research, and then work your stocking plan. When you have narrowed down some choices of what you would think you would like in your FOWLR, bounce it off of us here on R2R.

 

[rusty shackleford yes]

FOWLRs are fantastic, in my opinion. But note that although a 60-gallon tank may sound big, with sand, rock, etc., you will still have to be strategic as to which fish you get-- so you don't have compatibility issues in a semi-small confine, nor find that you have 'filled up' before getting your most hoped-for fish. This is a long winded way of saying research, research, research, and then work your stocking plan. When you have narrowed down some choices of what you would think you would like in your FOWLR, bounce it off of us here on R2R.

Of course I know I can’t get any tangs or anything! And yeah it might be a while before I actually get the tank as I need to also scout out a space. And I will research as much as I possibly can! Thanks so much!

 

[kingranch2003]

Hey y’all, I have a 13.5 gallon reef tank but I’ve been wanting some cool fish, so I was thinking of setting up a 50-60 gallon saltwater fish & invert only tank. I’ll probably just get a used tank off of FB marketplace (there’s a 60gal on there for 60$ right now lol). I’ll also get live rock & sand.

Do yall have any fish and non-reef safe inverts you’d recommend? I was thinking of a royal gramma, a school of blue damsels, and a chocolate chip sea star so far, what else could I put in there? Thanks y’all!

Pencil urchin!

 

[rusty shackleford yes]

Pencil urchin!

Actually that’s another idea I had, I always see them at Petco and I’ve always wanted one. Same with a decorator crab!

 

[JumboShrimp]

You are welcome. I feel as if over many years I have had dozens-upon-dozens of FOWLR fish, so I can give you an idea of whether you'd be making a good move or bad. So can so many other folks here.

 

[rusty shackleford yes]

You are welcome. I feel as if over many years I have had dozens-upon-dozens of FOWLR fish, so I can give you an idea of whether you'd be making a good move or bad. So can so many other folks here.

Have you had any of those really colorful lobsters before? I know they aren’t reef safe. I’ve also seen some cool slipper lobster at my LFS!

 

[kingranch2003]

Actually that’s another idea I had, I always see them at Petco and I’ve always wanted one. Same with a decorator crab!

Awesome looking critters and very effect cleaners!

 

[rusty shackleford yes]

Awesome looking critters and very effect cleaners!

I was also thinking of maybe a small lobster, do you have any of them? Beautiful urchin also!!!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Never tried a lobster... except on my dinner plate!

 

[Puggz]

Hey y’all, I have a 13.5 gallon reef tank but I’ve been wanting some cool fish, so I was thinking of setting up a 50-60 gallon saltwater fish & invert only tank. I’ll probably just get a used tank off of FB marketplace (there’s a 60gal on there for 60$ right now lol). I’ll also get live rock & sand.

Do yall have any fish and non-reef safe inverts you’d recommend? I was thinking of a royal gramma, a school of blue damsels, and a chocolate chip sea star so far, what else could I put in there? Thanks y’all!

IMHO i'd wait and source a larger tank; as large as you can accommodate because this will save you the suffering of one upgrade after another. If you put in the effort, you can often find great deals on FB marketplace. I'd look for something 4' long at a minimum but 6' is MUCH better. My first FOWLR was 108 gallon made by Hagen back in the late '80s and it was amazing. Pay me now, pay me later. It always cost more later :)

 

[exnisstech]

I started with a 75g went to 6ft 180g and upgraded that to a 84x30x24" tank because i thought my fish were looking cramped. I say buy the biggest you have room for that is in the budget. There are a lot of cool small fish but I'm more of larger fish person. More room also allows more rock and helps reduce aggression I think.

 

[Puggz]

I started with a 75g went to 6ft 180g and upgraded that to a 84x30x24" tank because i thought my fish were looking cramped. I say buy the biggest you have room for that is in the budget. There are a lot of cool small fish but I'm more of larger fish person. More room also allows more rock and helps reduce aggression I think.

Agreed, and let your fish grow into the tank, not out of it. It's pretty common for hobbyists to buy fish based on their next tank (i.e., juvenile large angle) with the plan to upgrade the tank later on. Well life happens and this doesn't always happen and now your looking to rehome a larger fish that most people aren't interested in. YMMV.

 

[Puggz]

I started with a 75g went to 6ft 180g and upgraded that to a 84x30x24" tank because i thought my fish were looking cramped. I say buy the biggest you have room for that is in the budget. There are a lot of cool small fish but I'm more of larger fish person. More room also allows more rock and helps reduce aggression I think.

Is the 84" tank 24" tall? I'm in the process of sourcing an approx. 250gal for a fowlr. I like the idea of going 30" tall and 24" wide but could go the other way. I have room for up to 10' in length but will likely settle on 6'. Now that you've had this for a while, what are the pros/cons of this spec and any advise? Mine will also be along an external wall so only 3 sides access. TIA!

 

[Puggz]

You are welcome. I feel as if over many years I have had dozens-upon-dozens of FOWLR fish, so I can give you an idea of whether you'd be making a good move or bad. So can so many other folks here.

What was your favourite? Mine was a minniatus grouper. I ended up being able to hand feed him. Tons of personality, but then again I never had a puffer..lol

 

[exnisstech]

Is the 84" tank 24" tall? I'm in the process of sourcing an approx. 250gal for a fowlr. I like the idea of going 30" tall and 24" wide but could go the other way. I have room for up to 10' in length but will likely settle on 6'. Now that you've had this for a while, what are the pros/cons of this spec and any advise? Mine will also be along an external wall so only 3 sides access. TIA!

It 25" tall 30" front to back. The extra 6" of depth compared to a 24" deep feels huge. I went with a waterbox 330.7 I thought of going custom but wasn't feeling up to DIYing the stuff needed.

EDIT; for me the front to back depth makes more of a difference than hight. It allowed me to place my scape so fish can swim in front and behind the rock. When I ran the 24" 180 rock was against the back wall so fish were forced too swim back and forth past each other. I had a 29" tall 150 once and it was a bit of a hassle working in it. I would love to have been able to go with an 8 or even 10ft tank but I just don't have the room

 

[Puggz]

It 25" tall 30" front to back. The extra 6" of depth compared to a 24" deep feels huge. I went with a waterbox 330.7 I thought of going custom but wasn't feeling up to DIYing the stuff needed.

EDIT; for me the front to back depth makes more of a difference than hight. It allowed me to place my scape so fish can swim in front and behind the rock. When I ran the 24" 180 rock was against the back wall so fish were forced too swim back and forth past each other. I had a 29" tall 150 once and it was a bit of a hassle working in it. I would love to have been able to go with an 8 or even 10ft tank but I just don't have the room

the 30" front to back does make a lot of sense for a fowlr for sure. A 96x30x24 would certainly fit the bill. I'm making a DIY sump out of acrylic and all the plumbing and the long tank would give ample room for a large, 6ft long sump and still room for an ATO. Lots of options :)

 

[bob88884]

Hey y’all, I have a 13.5 gallon reef tank but I’ve been wanting some cool fish, so I was thinking of setting up a 50-60 gallon saltwater fish & invert only tank. I’ll probably just get a used tank off of FB marketplace (there’s a 60gal on there for 60$ right now lol). I’ll also get live rock & sand.

Do yall have any fish and non-reef safe inverts you’d recommend? I was thinking of a royal gramma, a school of blue damsels, and a chocolate chip sea star so far, what else could I put in there? Thanks y’all!

Australian Strpey, very active, peaceful. My Fire Red Shrimp doesn't bother anything, but he doesn't take any junk from anyone. Arrow Crab, I like. I have a Foxface, a Magnificent Foxface, a Blue Tang, and a Six-Line wrasse. All of those do well, not sure how they will do in a 60-gallon. I have a couple of Sand Sifting starfish, Chocolate Starfish. Several Snails, crabs of all types, Coral Banded Shrimp, for the cost, he doesn't do anything, just hangs out. Any of those should work, as they work for me.

 

[bob88884]

Australian Strpey, very active, peaceful. My Fire Red Shrimp doesn't bother anything, but he doesn't take any junk from anyone. Arrow Crab, I like. I have a Foxface, a Magnificent Foxface, a Blue Tang, and a Six-Line wrasse. All of those do well, not sure how they will do in a 60-gallon. I have a couple of Sand Sifting starfish, Chocolate Starfish. Several Snails, crabs of all types, Coral Banded Shrimp, for the cost, he doesn't do anything, just hangs out. Any of those should work, as they work for me.

Oh, I have a half dozen various Urchins.

Australian Strpey, very active, peaceful. My Fire Red Shrimp doesn't bother anything, but he doesn't take any junk from anyone. Arrow Crab, I like. I have a Foxface, a Magnificent Foxface, a Blue Tang, and a Six-Line wrasse. All of those do well, not sure how they will do in a 60-gallon. I have a couple of Sand Sifting starfish, Chocolate Starfish. Several Snails, crabs of all types, Coral Banded Shrimp, for the cost, he doesn't do anything, just hangs out. Any of those should work, as they work for me.

 

[rusty shackleford yes]

IMHO i'd wait and source a larger tank; as large as you can accommodate because this will save you the suffering of one upgrade after another. If you put in the effort, you can often find great deals on FB marketplace. I'd look for something 4' long at a minimum but 6' is MUCH better. My first FOWLR was 108 gallon made by Hagen back in the late '80s and it was amazing. Pay me now, pay me later. It always cost more later :)

Honestly yeah I could just get a 100-150 gallon used on Facebook marketplace or something