New to SW tanks and i need some advice!!

R

RONALD123

AC Members
Sep 24, 2006
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Im getting ready to start buying all the equipment i need to start a FOWLER tank but i have a few questions..

This is the stuff i have
65gal acrylic tank
2 rena filstar xp3 canister filters
2 MAXI JET 1200 POWERHEAD

Now I know I need to buy
Skimmer but im confused on what brand I should get
Heater
Auto top off unit
RO unit
Light


Am i missing anything?

When it comes time to put everything together and cycle the tank with the live rock I should start off with a small amount of live rock and add more as time goes by correct?

I have a few more questions but I'll wait cuz i have alot more reading to do

Thanks for ya time
Ron
 
Its best to add all the LR at once, will you be running a sump because that will help us to help you on skimmer choices. With the proper amount of lr and flow that could be all the filtration you would need but that also can depend on your stocking
 
:iagree:

Its ok to purchase more rock later but i think the rule was,dont add more that 1/4 of your current weight,but i may be wrong.
 
Im not to sure about the sump....Do you think i should have a sump?

Is it better to have a sump?
 
I wouldnt' necessarily start off with a sump. You should be fine with a canister filter to start with. You should probably have some basic understanding of how your tank operates before you go into the sump world. I put one in about 6 months after I started my tank.
 
I think its easier to start with a sump/fuge than to add one later. With a sump/fuge it gives you a place to put your heater and gives you more options for skimmers because in sump skimmers tend to work better than hang on skimmers, run your ATO to your sump. With a sump/fuge there are no filters to clean except for cleaning the skimmer cup, when the macro fills the fuge you just pull some out and give it away, throw it out or try to sell some. I know I will never set up a tank over 20 gallons with out a sump/fuge myself.
 
archer772 said:
I think its easier to start with a sump/fuge than to add one later. With a sump/fuge it gives you a place to put your heater and gives you more options for skimmers because in sump skimmers tend to work better than hang on skimmers, run your ATO to your sump. With a sump/fuge there are no filters to clean except for cleaning the skimmer cup, when the macro fills the fuge you just pull some out and give it away, throw it out or try to sell some. I know I will never set up a tank over 20 gallons with out a sump/fuge myself.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply im looking into a sump as we speak....

What type of sump do you have?
 
I built my own out of a 4 foot 50 gallon, just siliconed 3 baffles in, about 11 inches for skimmer about 2 foot for fuge and about 12 inches for return pump. I had the 50 gallon given to me, used old window glass for the baffles that my wife cut and bought a tube of silicone total cost about $6
 
Thank you archer for the help...Would a 45gal tank be a good size for my sump?

I have a picture of the plans for the sump so you can see...Ill post it when i get home from work
 
get the biggest one that fits...I too went with a sump/fuge after research and the only regret...I should have gone larger. mine is on a110 and the fuge is about 30 g. if I do it over again I'll fit in the largest one can.
 
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