help setting up 45 Gallon FOWLR

jusplainnuts · 04/22/2007, 04:15 PM

Wife has given me her 45 gallon tank, she and her Guppies are now a proud owner of a 75 gallon. Okay, I want to set it up basically as a FOWLR. I am going to use 192 w PC lights. The question with the lights is will they support moderate light corals such as zoos, polyps, xenia in the 45 gallon, by the way the height of the tank is 24". Now to filtration, thinking of getting a canister just to help keep water clear, I know the LR will do most of the biological filtration. My wife wants minimal thins hanging from the back of the tank...So could I get away without having a protein skimmer? Thanks and any suggestions or ideas are welcome....Chris

supertech3 · 04/22/2007, 04:37 PM

If you do weekly water changes and do not overload the tank with fish you may be able to do without the skimmer. The light should be fine for the corals you mentioned.

skwirl · 04/22/2007, 05:08 PM

is a sump not an option? things would be so much easier, and less visible that way.. she would like it alot better..

jusplainnuts · 04/22/2007, 05:14 PM

have mentioned sump to her, however she isnt to fond of the overflow box. I dont know if I want to take the chance of drilling into the tank.

supertech3 · 04/22/2007, 05:26 PM

On the subject for the canister filter, I would not waste your money on them. They need to be cleaned often or your nitrates will escalate and may end up with other issues use the money to buy a skimmer or save for one.

04/22/2007, 04:15 PM	#1
jusplainnuts Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 3	help setting up 45 Gallon FOWLR Wife has given me her 45 gallon tank, she and her Guppies are now a proud owner of a 75 gallon. Okay, I want to set it up basically as a FOWLR. I am going to use 192 w PC lights. The question with the lights is will they support moderate light corals such as zoos, polyps, xenia in the 45 gallon, by the way the height of the tank is 24". Now to filtration, thinking of getting a canister just to help keep water clear, I know the LR will do most of the biological filtration. My wife wants minimal thins hanging from the back of the tank...So could I get away without having a protein skimmer? Thanks and any suggestions or ideas are welcome....Chris

04/22/2007, 04:37 PM	#2
supertech3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: El Paso Posts: 1,206	If you do weekly water changes and do not overload the tank with fish you may be able to do without the skimmer. The light should be fine for the corals you mentioned.

04/22/2007, 05:08 PM	#3
skwirl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: tn Posts: 872	is a sump not an option? things would be so much easier, and less visible that way.. she would like it alot better..

04/22/2007, 05:14 PM	#4
jusplainnuts Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 3	have mentioned sump to her, however she isnt to fond of the overflow box. I dont know if I want to take the chance of drilling into the tank.

04/22/2007, 05:26 PM	#5
supertech3 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: El Paso Posts: 1,206	On the subject for the canister filter, I would not waste your money on them. They need to be cleaned often or your nitrates will escalate and may end up with other issues use the money to buy a skimmer or save for one.