My 200 FOWLR tank

Zivman · 10-17-2005, 05:33 PM

Hey all. Been registered here for a while. Had my ups and downs with the tank, but think I have it all together now. It's been up for a little over a yr. Had plans to go full reef, but fell in love with some non-reef safe fish. Plus, I don't have the time or patience to maintain a full on reef setup.

The tank is a 84" x 24" x 24" Oceanic RR Brick Style (3/4" glass with no cross bracing)and oceanic stand. I have about 225 pounds of liverock, a 72" maristar 4X39W T5, 3X250W HQI MH lighting system, Life reef Berlin system, and a emperor aquatics 40W UV sterilizer.

Fish list:
Desjardini Sailfin Tang
Blonde Naso Tang
Powder Blue Tang
Orange Shoulder Tang
Pair of Blue Jaw triggers
Harlequin Tusk Fish
Diamond Watchman Goby
SaddleBack clown
Ocellaris clown
Purple Firefish

Burchoid · 10-17-2005, 05:41 PM

Nice tank!! Thats a lot of light for a FOWLR ... That light could make some lucky SPS's and clams very happy!!

chazz-66 · 10-17-2005, 05:42 PM

Scott 3560 · 10-17-2005, 05:44 PM

looks nice
alot of nice equipment and lights

so when you going reef ? LOL

Zivman · 10-17-2005, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burchoid

Nice tank!! Thats a lot of light for a FOWLR ... That light could make some lucky SPS's and clams very happy!!

I know, I kind of over bought the lighting. I had plans for a full on reef and the 250W MH combo was only slighly more than the 175W MH combo. I usually run the T5s with only the outer two MHs for a total of about 650 watts or a little over 3 watts per gallon. I originally ran 10K MH, but after their life was up, switched to 14K. I am much happier with the higher kelvin capsules.

Twins Guy · 10-17-2005, 05:51 PM

the triggers and tusk might be a risk in a reef (LOOKOUT shrimp, crabs, +/- snails) but the rest of those guys would behave themselves. of the triggers bluethroats are considered one of the most reef safe, likewise the tusk prolly wouldn't touch corals. maybe you should try...heck you've got the lighting-love my maristar-you might as well put her to use!
tg

Zivman · 10-17-2005, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twins Guy

the triggers and tusk might be a risk in a reef (LOOKOUT shrimp, crabs, +/- snails) but the rest of those guys would behave themselves. of the triggers bluethroats are considered one of the most reef safe, likewise the tusk prolly wouldn't touch corals. maybe you should try...heck you've got the lighting-love my maristar-you might as well put her to use!
tg

I know nothing about corals and how to keep them. this is the biggest thing detering me from trying them. Anything that is pretty hardy and easy to keep?

David Grigor · 10-17-2005, 05:54 PM

Probably can get some softie frags for real cheap and give it a try. Most softies and some LPS don't really need much in the way of additives. Probably your water changes would suffice......at least until you get hooked and try other things....but it is wise to not invest too much in corals just get some cheap stuff for movement....

Frag swap is coming up soon. I know I will have some easy beginer corals at the swap. Most will be $5. A few up to $10 max. Could at least give a try.

Zivman · 10-17-2005, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Grigor

Probably can get some softie frags for real cheap and give it a try. Most softies and some LPS don't really need much in the way of additives. Probably your water changes would suffice......

I do about a 30 gallon water change every week to 10 days. Might be a bit overkill, but would rather be safe than sorry. My biggest complaint about the tank is the evaporation. I usually only run the MH about 4-6 hrs a day and the T5s about 10-12 hrs. I usually have about 3-4 gallons a day of evap, sometimes less. I live in a town house and water changes are easy as I run a python to suck the water out and run a small pump and hose to refill. Replacing what evaps is done a gallon at a time, across the house each morning.

redwinger · 10-17-2005, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zivman

I know nothing about corals and how to keep them. this is the biggest thing detering me from trying them. Anything that is pretty hardy and easy to keep?

If I can keep fuzzy sticks alive anyone can.

oyam123 · 10-17-2005, 06:51 PM

Just add some soft corals and you will love it.

your tank looks great, but adding the soft corals will take it over the top.
i am a fish lover as well, but i think my tank would not look alive with out the soft corals.
its only a 120 with VHO's, just think of what you could do with yours....

epidemic · 10-17-2005, 06:53 PM

Redwinger- we shall see.
Derek

Irenicus · 10-17-2005, 06:53 PM

If you plan on doing more fish (eels, puffers, non-planktonic (sp)triggers, and angels), you may want to give mushrooms and softies a try. A lot of fish don't like the taste of them and some will thrive with the elevated nutrient levels.

Irenicus · 10-17-2005, 06:54 PM

Oh, I need to add from the looks of it you have some good looking fish. Any pics of the tusK?

redwinger · 10-17-2005, 06:55 PM

I agree on the softies and the LPS. Try a few and see how it goes as David said the frag swap is coming up and you could probally find a bunch of softies and LPS for cheap. But beware as soon as corals go in the addiction begins.

You definatelly have a beutiful tank and the equiptment to try some softies and LPS so I say go for it. Your fish will more than likelly not hurt the corals as the non reef safe ones will just go after snails, shrimp and hermits.