Fowlr?

roodeem · 04-09-2004, 12:09 PM

Since the weather is warming up my wife has decided that I cannot go reef until next winter. She will not allow me to buy my MH and Chiller at this time. Doh! I'm sure alot of us have the same problem with hubbies and the wifey.

Well I guess we are going FOWLR for now with my 120G AGA. Since this will be my first FO tank, do you have any tips or red flags I should note when buying a clean up crew? Or does FOWLR actually mean FOWLR and NO clean up crew?

I know it matters on what type of fish I am going to buy but in general I will be getting mostly reef safe to semi aggressive.

Thanks

sulfuric · 04-09-2004, 03:14 PM

Well, an easy solution is to get enough fans for the MH, and then turn down your residence's thermostat to about 65°F.

But then again, I live by myself and I like it cold..... Your wife (and the power bill) might not be too "accommodating" for that.

SaltBlock · 04-09-2004, 03:26 PM

My only suggestion...If you are planning on "converting" the FOWLR tank to a reef tank, without tearing it down in between, be very meticulous about cleanliness. Fish can create a lot of waste, which will not work in your favor once the tank is a reef.

Make sure you get "children safe" fish for that setup...

AEB

salt creepette · 04-09-2004, 03:37 PM

if you want a cleanup crew get whatever (i just stick with hermits, snails, shrimps and maybe a starfish), just be sure you dont add fish that will eat them, such as wrasses or triggerfish. and dont overload your tank with fish if you plan on going reef. if you get bigger fish, you will have to have fewer fish. if you do like me and get small one or two inchers (like chromis and small basslets) you can do more fish. click the link at the bottom of my signature to see what i have in my reef in the way of fish. I tend to have more fish than i probably should for a reef but i cant help it, i love them!!!

Phishnoob · 04-09-2004, 03:54 PM

Why not meet in the middle. I did not want the expense and hassle of MH and got FOWLR and we are adding polyps, gorgonians and other soft stuff that lives with moderate lighting.

Also, once you get the wife on board you might get more than you bargain for...Mrs. Phish has an amazing 29g tank now that is just perfect with the exception of no hard corals. She had zero interest but once she got "her" tank she bought all the books and reads TRT daily and does a ton of research. I just have to keep my mouth shut when it comes to decision making on her tank...hard as it is.

For the transition we are overskimming and have a mega clean up crew from www.saltwaterfish.com that is about twice what some people recommend.

Phishnoob

roodeem · 04-09-2004, 03:55 PM

Its almost certain this 120G will be a reef. This is the way it usually goes for me. My 33G started off the same way, reef keeping is just inevatable!

Before the inevatable happens I want to try some exotic fish which will of course be trade in's later. I've always wanted a clown or niger trigger.

If I do get this species, what is the best way to keep the enviornment heathly w/out busting out my syhpon all the time?

Phishnoob, I hear ya on the wife on board thing. I'm sure my wife will come around soon. I'm trying to get her as the caretaker of my 3G Eclipse. hehe

Oh and salt creepette, I've been studing your 120G for sometime now. I love your BB aquaworld!

salt creepette · 04-10-2004, 07:22 AM

"Oh and salt creepette, I've been studing your 120G for sometime now. I love your BB aquaworld!"

WHAT?! how cool, I have my own little fan club!!! awesome! hey i updated with more/better pictures if you havent checked it out in the past three or so days.

I need more live rock (you know, to mount more coral on) but that will come soon.....

by the way, I LOOOOVE your avatar!!!!