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just when i think i have all the things i need to start some one tell me..no..you need this or you need that.]
what are the basic items i need to have a succesful fowlr tank.its so confusing.and yes ill keep reading

Tank, top, lights, heater, powerheads, water, salt, substrate, live rock.

This stuff is opitonal, skimmer(recomended), HOB filter, better lights.



Dan

I agree with Dthurs with the exception, you do not need powerheads. You can use them, and they are a good addition if you have a large tank, but they are not needed. And you do need some kind of filter or aereator at minimal in the tank. With FOWLR, I do recomend some mechanical filterization, such as a HOB filter, and as everyone knows, I prefer the Emperor to all others.

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There is always a bigger fish...

Well you are going to need something to move the water, whether its a powerhead, external pump, or an internal pump (which many refer to as powerheads also).

John

Yes, I agree, but I was leaning more to having a filter than a power head. I just took for granted the use of a filter. If you do not use a filter, then yes, you should have a power head.

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There is always a bigger fish...

I would say, small tank, no powerhead, large tank, yes powerhead. Small tanks should have enough movment with a HOB filter.



Dan

And so you realize,The Hob filter is to take out larger debris as the live rock is your bio-filter.

I had a 45g with 2 Aqua clear 300's and those provided enough water movement.I think 1 may have been enough.Remember the more flow you have the less garbage settles to the bottom.otherwise known as "detritus".

Last edited by fishheadfred at 23-Nov-2004 04:14

ok.would this be ok to do?with nothing in the tank,could i put regular hose water in my tank.and leave about 4 inches to the top,then add my salt turn heater and hob filter on and powerheads,after a few hours check salinity.if that was ok can i then add my playsand and live rock and start cycling?this is what the local petco advise me to do.what do you think.thanks again..

That will work fine.



Dan

Unless theres a specific reason to do it in that order, then i would do it this way.

Add playsand and shape/slope as desired.

Put water in tank by placing a large plate or container on sand so that the water runs off that and doesnt stir up the bed too much.

Turn heater, hob filter and powerheads on.

Add salt and check a few hours later, adjust as necessary and when temp and salinity are correct, add rock and get cycling.

EDIT: Dont worry too much if you get a bit of sand stirred up at first, after a little bit the sand will develop a bio film and be a lot more resistant to sand storms

-DL

Last edited by Dark Lotus at 29-Nov-2004 21:34

Cake > Pie

so when do you know when the water is ok?