Advice for new 180g FOWLR

hokie79 · 08/11/2014, 11:49 AM

Hey all,

My wife has requested that I build her a large aquarium for her new childrens clinic. After talking to the contractors(they're building the in-wall setup/stand), we decided a 180g FOWLR would be just right. I have some many years of freshwater experience, but only a limited amount of saltwater from a 38g I tried a few years back. Actually had success, but had to shut it down due to moving.

Few questions:

Best size sump for 180g?
Are the pre-made sumps ok or should I build one?
Best pump/s for return lines?
Do I really need equipement like calcium reactors n such for a FOWLR?

Any other advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

fishhuman · 08/11/2014, 12:02 PM

180 is a great size congratulations the children will love it, my sump for my 180 is a 50 gallon which is a bit small but I only use it for housing equipment and don't have a refugiem. I would not be the right person to tell you about pumps and such. You don't need any reactors and such for a fowlr you only need them if you want coral. Some fish that the kids at the hospital will like are
. Clownfish
. Blue tang
. Harlequin tusk
. Butterflyfish
. Flame angels
. Puffer fish
. Triggerfish
. Lionfish( not compatible with puffers or triggers )
. Mandarin dragonet
. Yellow tangs

hokie79 · 08/11/2014, 12:11 PM

thanks for the reply! I want to keep the sump simple, no refugium, just a protein skimmer, heaters, and return pump/s. Would like to do a 55 or 75g sump underneath. Looked at some of the manufactured sumps, but they're all seem too small.

lagatbezan · 08/11/2014, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishhuman

180 is a great size congratulations the children will love it, my sump for my 180 is a 50 gallon which is a bit small but I only use it for housing equipment and don't have a refugiem. I would not be the right person to tell you about pumps and such. You don't need any reactors and such for a fowlr you only need them if you want coral. Some fish that the kids at the hospital will like are
. Clownfish
. Blue tang
. Harlequin tusk
. Butterflyfish
. Flame angels
. Puffer fish
. Triggerfish
. Lionfish( not compatible with puffers or triggers )
. Mandarin dragonet
. Yellow tangs

agree, but I would not keep clownfish with triggers, puffers or lionfish. they would soon become food.

I have a 46g sump for my 180.
as far as pumps go, you are going to need a pump to bring water back up from the sump as well as some more water movement in the tank (not a lot but enough to get a good circulation). you can either have powerheads in the tank or set up a closed loop system.
Also I would get a good skimmer as well a RO/DI unit.

Fallling · 08/11/2014, 12:20 PM

Get the biggest sump that you fit is the general convention. Whatever size sump you choose, just make sure that if the power cuts out, the sump can hold the extra water from the DT tank. Deciding on what equipment you need will help you determine what sump layout will work for you. Whether you make it yourself and buy one, make sure the return section will fit your return pump, the skimmer section will fit you skimmer, etc. I had a simple custom made sump made by Advanced Acrylics as the area under my stand isn't a standard size.

I disagree about not needing other equipment. You'll still want a decent protein skimmer and likely a reactor for gfo and maybe one for carbon to help polish the water. While most fish aren't as delicate as corals, high nitrates and phosphates will lead to unwanted algae and should still be kept under control.

fishhuman · 08/11/2014, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fallling

Get the biggest sump that you fit is the general convention. Whatever size sump you choose, just make sure that if the power cuts out, the sump can hold the extra water from the DT tank. Deciding on what equipment you need will help you determine what sump layout will work for you. Whether you make it yourself and buy one, make sure the return section will fit your return pump, the skimmer section will fit you skimmer, etc. I had a simple custom made sump made by Advanced Acrylics as the area under my stand isn't a standard size.

I disagree about not needing other equipment. You'll still want a decent protein skimmer and likely a reactor for gfo and maybe one for carbon to help polish the water. While most fish aren't as delicate as corals, high nitrates and phosphates will lead to unwanted algae and should still be kept under control.

Yes I missed the skimmer but other than that reactors are optional

Fallling · 08/11/2014, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishhuman

Yes I missed the skimmer but other than that reactors are optional

Reactors are always optional (technically, a skimmer is also optional), but at least one media reactor to run gfo really is good idea to help control phosphates. High phosphates often lead to algae woes, and with a tank that is in a business setting, that's something you want to keep under control from the get go. A media reactor isn't a super expensive piece of equipment either. Also, if you decide to stock non-invert safe fish like triggerfish or certain wrasses, you won't be able to stock a CUC to help combat algae. That's just my thoughts on it, of course. You'll figure out what's best for you

08/11/2014, 11:49 AM	#1
hokie79 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 11	Advice for new 180g FOWLR Hey all, My wife has requested that I build her a large aquarium for her new childrens clinic. After talking to the contractors(they're building the in-wall setup/stand), we decided a 180g FOWLR would be just right. I have some many years of freshwater experience, but only a limited amount of saltwater from a 38g I tried a few years back. Actually had success, but had to shut it down due to moving. Few questions: Best size sump for 180g? Are the pre-made sumps ok or should I build one? Best pump/s for return lines? Do I really need equipement like calcium reactors n such for a FOWLR? Any other advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

08/11/2014, 12:02 PM	#2
fishhuman Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: LA california Posts: 647	180 is a great size congratulations the children will love it, my sump for my 180 is a 50 gallon which is a bit small but I only use it for housing equipment and don't have a refugiem. I would not be the right person to tell you about pumps and such. You don't need any reactors and such for a fowlr you only need them if you want coral. Some fish that the kids at the hospital will like are . Clownfish . Blue tang . Harlequin tusk . Butterflyfish . Flame angels . Puffer fish . Triggerfish . Lionfish( not compatible with puffers or triggers ) . Mandarin dragonet . Yellow tangs

08/11/2014, 12:11 PM	#3
hokie79 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 11	thanks for the reply! I want to keep the sump simple, no refugium, just a protein skimmer, heaters, and return pump/s. Would like to do a 55 or 75g sump underneath. Looked at some of the manufactured sumps, but they're all seem too small.

08/11/2014, 12:20 PM	#5
Fallling Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 455	Get the biggest sump that you fit is the general convention. Whatever size sump you choose, just make sure that if the power cuts out, the sump can hold the extra water from the DT tank. Deciding on what equipment you need will help you determine what sump layout will work for you. Whether you make it yourself and buy one, make sure the return section will fit your return pump, the skimmer section will fit you skimmer, etc. I had a simple custom made sump made by Advanced Acrylics as the area under my stand isn't a standard size. I disagree about not needing other equipment. You'll still want a decent protein skimmer and likely a reactor for gfo and maybe one for carbon to help polish the water. While most fish aren't as delicate as corals, high nitrates and phosphates will lead to unwanted algae and should still be kept under control.