Sand and Rock in a Fowler or not

runyonh · 12/03/2009, 01:15 PM

Any advice on setting up a fish only aquairum. Should I put sand and rock or just plastic decor. Any and all advice is welcomed thank you

BLKTANG · 12/03/2009, 01:27 PM

FOWLR.Fish,Only,With, Live,Rock.

The LR is the Biological center of any SW aquairum.

billdogg · 12/03/2009, 01:39 PM

I would strongly reccommend that you use both sand and rock. Liverock can be (is) the major source of biological filtration in most marine aquariums. As for sand - even though you plan on a fish only tank, sand , imo, is a good idea if for nothing else, a more natural look. It will also (assuming arragonite - ie coral, sand) help to buffer the tank and help you maintain a stable pH. I would also suggest that you incorporate a sump and refugium with your system. The sump can be used as nothing more than a place to put heater, skimmer, and reactors, along with the added bonus of increased tank volume which will also help to maintain stable water parameters. A refugium is a nice addition as well - there you can maintain a deep sand bed and/or grow macroalgae to increase your nutrient export.

I know this can begin to sound overwhelming, but there is a huge amount of information available, both on this site and others. If you have not yet discovered www.wetwebmedia.com please go there and spend as much time as it takes to fully understand just what it is you are trying to do. The most important aspect of marine aquarium keeping, imo, is knowledge. The more you have, the better off you will be.

This hobby is one that many people enjoy. All too often, people get discouraged soon after starting, usually because they have expected too much, too fast. Nothing good in this hobby happens quickly.

HTH?

runyonh · 12/03/2009, 02:29 PM

Thank you for your advice. I am just learning about Fowler aquariums I have two sucsefull reef aquariums. I will do more reading thanks for the website and any other advice on the start up is welcome.

12/03/2009, 01:15 PM	#1
runyonh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Melbourne Florida Posts: 188	Sand and Rock in a Fowler or not Any advice on setting up a fish only aquairum. Should I put sand and rock or just plastic decor. Any and all advice is welcomed thank you

12/03/2009, 01:27 PM	#2
BLKTANG Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Never,Never Land Posts: 7,061	FOWLR.Fish,Only,With, Live,Rock. The LR is the Biological center of any SW aquairum. __________________ We the few have done so much,for so long,for so little.That we are now qualified to do anything with nothing. ____________________________________________________________________________ Current Tank Info: RR 90 Maganvore sump,250w Hamilton fixture,VorTec's ASM skimmer.

12/03/2009, 01:39 PM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I would strongly reccommend that you use both sand and rock. Liverock can be (is) the major source of biological filtration in most marine aquariums. As for sand - even though you plan on a fish only tank, sand , imo, is a good idea if for nothing else, a more natural look. It will also (assuming arragonite - ie coral, sand) help to buffer the tank and help you maintain a stable pH. I would also suggest that you incorporate a sump and refugium with your system. The sump can be used as nothing more than a place to put heater, skimmer, and reactors, along with the added bonus of increased tank volume which will also help to maintain stable water parameters. A refugium is a nice addition as well - there you can maintain a deep sand bed and/or grow macroalgae to increase your nutrient export. I know this can begin to sound overwhelming, but there is a huge amount of information available, both on this site and others. If you have not yet discovered www.wetwebmedia.com please go there and spend as much time as it takes to fully understand just what it is you are trying to do. The most important aspect of marine aquarium keeping, imo, is knowledge. The more you have, the better off you will be. This hobby is one that many people enjoy. All too often, people get discouraged soon after starting, usually because they have expected too much, too fast. Nothing good in this hobby happens quickly. HTH? __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

12/03/2009, 02:29 PM	#4
runyonh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Melbourne Florida Posts: 188	Thank you for your advice. I am just learning about Fowler aquariums I have two sucsefull reef aquariums. I will do more reading thanks for the website and any other advice on the start up is welcome.