Fowlr questions???

[oscarsolis_98]

Can my FOWLR tank only run with a protein skimmer, carbon reactor and live rock and live sand as filtration???

[ashish]

You can use those filters to run a reef tank... However, I'd definately have some kind of mechanical filter; otherwise you will have a lot of detrius build up in your sump. I use a filter sock, protein skimmer, LR, Chemi-pure.....
personally I like the micron sock but blue bonded pad could work for mechanical filter since FOWLR systems tend to have a good amount of detrius. You can really simplify this; few years I used to cut 8''x6'' pieces of blue bond pad and rubber banded them to a tube(with holes) and had it connected to the PVC in my external overflow box. Soon as it got close to over-flowing I'd change it out (every 4 days). No water was getting to the sump w/o passing threw some mechanical filter and I liked how it was so easy to change out (a lot more effective than a drip tray). Also it was not taking up space in the sump area (assuming you have a sump and cabinet space).

[geaux xman]

I run in my sump [ return pump/skimmer/sock ]. Also a small bag of carbon and I dose about 20-30mls vodka/day

no sand.

[oscarsolis_98]

without refugium section???

[geaux xman]

no refugium. i do change about 60g of water each month.

feed 3-5x/day. heavy bioload.

my nitrates <10ppm. phos is high though but who cares.

[oscarsolis_98]

thank you

[geaux xman]

you can post up questions in the FO forum. those guys there are pretty good with answering questions and sharing how they run their tank.

[azjohnny]

With a FOWLR you want to keep things as simple as possible, detritus removal is the most important factor. A fuge just becomes a cess pool in a FOWLR set up

I have a filter sock, quality protein skimmer, bio pellet reactor, GFO reactor and for detritus removal I use the Home Depot "Bucket head" shop vac

[jjk_reef00]

Originally Posted by azjohnny

for detritus removal I use the Home Depot "Bucket head" shop vac

Good idea, does that hold up with saltwater? How long have you been using it?

[azjohnny]

Originally Posted by jjk_reef00

Good idea, does that hold up with saltwater? How long have you been using it?

Been using it for about 6 months and holding up well. You could run some freshwater through it after saltwater to keep it clean. If it does fail they are only $20.

I have been thinking about connecting some PVC pipe and a ball valve to control the flow similar to a Python vacuum.




I do have my tank setup like a reef tank with Vortech pumps getting the detritus to the sump via the overflow and any detritus that does get by the filter sock I can vacuum. I also do my water changes by turning off the main pump and changing out the water in the sump ( about 15% of total volume) this also gives me a chance to make sure the check valve is still working


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[that Fish Guy]

Originally Posted by oscarsolis_98

Can my FOWLR tank only run with a protein skimmer, carbon reactor and live rock and live sand as filtration???

Sure you can.

I have 3 Reef Tanks and none of them have a Protein Skimmer, Sump, Refugium, etc.

They all have Live Rock, Live Sand, two Power Heads, and a Freshwater Hang on the Back Tetra Whisper Cascade Filter.

I keep it simple and have had no problems.

I keep all types of Corals too.