Newbie looking for advice

docstrop · 03/06/2006, 10:12 PM

"I'm a newbie- who has a 72 gal. bowfront African Cichlid tank and is looking to break it down, find a new home for the dozen or so remaining fish and use this tank to set up a simple FOWLR set up with a few corals" Any suggestions? i.e. filters, lighting, etc.

ChunksInClemson · 03/06/2006, 10:34 PM

First off, A FOWLR has NO corals! Even if you have one coral, you are gonna need certain light to keep it alive. Another is you are gonna have to read a ton! You can find most answers on here if you really search.

There are several types of lighting. MH is the best IMO, but rather expensive. Do some research to become familiar with the terms of lighting. This is way to broad of a topic to explain in one night.

Filtration systems- 2 types: Mechanical and Biological. Biological will be the LR. The LR breaks down and "eats" the ammonia which then breaks down into nitrites and nitrates in the aquarium. Most people use a Sump for mechanical. Heres a webpage to explain sumps- http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html

Konadog · 03/06/2006, 10:40 PM

docstrop,

To Reef Central

Well, you've come to the right place for information. As as many questions as you can before purchasing any equipment to save $$. Start by reading all you can about starting a tank. Here is a quick overview of some of the things you may need:

So, you want to start a Marine Tank

Also, look up all the articles you can in this forum by Waterkeeper, besides learning a few things, you'll laugh yourself silly!

jimbo045 · 03/07/2006, 10:39 PM

Protein Skimmer and strong lighting is good. JD

mikenpam · 03/07/2006, 11:20 PM

If you are going to have a fish only then you do not need to have expensive MH lighting. A good skimmer would be nice to have in all cases. Please do your research as others have advised. One big question would be what filtration you intend to use. You mention FOWLR. If you plan to add 1 - 1.5 lbs of LR per gallon you may not need anything other than the LR and a good skimmer. Good luck!

docstrop · 03/08/2006, 12:16 AM

Thanks to both jimbo045 and mikenpam - I'll definitely use this info.

03/06/2006, 10:12 PM	#1
docstrop Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hillsborough, NJ Posts: 9	Newbie looking for advice "I'm a newbie- who has a 72 gal. bowfront African Cichlid tank and is looking to break it down, find a new home for the dozen or so remaining fish and use this tank to set up a simple FOWLR set up with a few corals" Any suggestions? i.e. filters, lighting, etc.

03/06/2006, 10:34 PM	#2
ChunksInClemson Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Anderson, SC Posts: 824	First off, A FOWLR has NO corals! Even if you have one coral, you are gonna need certain light to keep it alive. Another is you are gonna have to read a ton! You can find most answers on here if you really search. There are several types of lighting. MH is the best IMO, but rather expensive. Do some research to become familiar with the terms of lighting. This is way to broad of a topic to explain in one night. Filtration systems- 2 types: Mechanical and Biological. Biological will be the LR. The LR breaks down and "eats" the ammonia which then breaks down into nitrites and nitrates in the aquarium. Most people use a Sump for mechanical. Heres a webpage to explain sumps- http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html __________________ Me to my brother-"Dude, you don't need to spend 75 dollars on a shirt! My brother to me-"Man, you just spent 100 dollars on some rocks" Me and him- "Laughs" Current Tank Info: 29g, a pair of true percs so far. Tank is newer!

03/06/2006, 10:40 PM	#3
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	docstrop, *To Reef Central* Well, you've come to the right place for information. As as many questions as you can before purchasing any equipment to save $$. Start by reading all you can about starting a tank. Here is a quick overview of some of the things you may need: So, you want to start a Marine Tank Also, look up all the articles you can in this forum by Waterkeeper, besides learning a few things, you'll laugh yourself silly! __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

03/07/2006, 10:39 PM	#4
jimbo045 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Aiea, HI. Posts: 1,788	Protein Skimmer and strong lighting is good. JD

03/07/2006, 11:20 PM	#5
mikenpam Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 326	If you are going to have a fish only then you do not need to have expensive MH lighting. A good skimmer would be nice to have in all cases. Please do your research as others have advised. One big question would be what filtration you intend to use. You mention FOWLR. If you plan to add 1 - 1.5 lbs of LR per gallon you may not need anything other than the LR and a good skimmer. Good luck!

03/08/2006, 12:16 AM	#6
docstrop Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hillsborough, NJ Posts: 9	Thanks to both jimbo045 and mikenpam - I'll definitely use this info.