My 1st FOWLR tank journal

[reef999]

Hi all,

1st attempt on marine.

Read through quite a lot in marine during pass 2+ months.

Decided to go for a FOWLR tank this time.

Initially quite confuse with many equipments for marine.

Slowly check each equipment one by one and here is the things i have done so far.

I am using my 2x1x1.5(H) tank as main tank which previously keeping plecos.

With a RI stand where i can put a sump tank below.

The 1st DIY item: Needle wheel pump. Which i posted on the DIY section.

I bought a 1500L/H Atman power head and modified the impeller using a bioball.

This is how it look like:

And here's the assembly parts. As needle wheel purpose is to break the air into tiny bubble, so i modified the inlet with a air intake joint.

[reef999]

The next DIY item: Skimmer

I am using an old filter casing and did some modification. Also posted in the DIY section.

Here's the picture after assembled.

[reef999]

Next DIY item: Sump tank,

I bought a 2nd hand 2x1x1ft tank from a bro previously keeping shrimps.

Can see from the pictures that many water marks and stain remained, but should be ok as it's only a sump tank.

There are 3 compartment in this tiny sump.

The water intake on left, skimmer in the middle and return at the back.

As my silicone applying skill sucks, the sump tank looks messy with silicone stain

Here's the pictures.

And here's the skimmer in sump.

[reef999]

The next DIY item: Overflow box.

As my main tank do not have any hole for sump, so i DIY the overflow box.

I read through the forum with some great ideas where using PVC pipes.

But i am quite worry bubble slowly suck into PVC pipe and accumulate which might lose siphon and causing flood which cannot be seen due to the PVC material.

So i am using acrylic to make a overflow box where i can monitor the bubble trapped in the weir. Also a pipe attached on the weir to removed the bubble trapped.

Here's the picture:

Attached on the tank.

Another view.

[reef999]

I am using a flexible hose for the overflow to sump as to avoid using PVC elbow.

The return pump is a 3000L/H atman pump.

Here's the piping connection with sump running.

And the overflow box in action.

Another angle of water flow in.

The entire setup. Filteration system run in.

[reef999]

Here's the dead rock i bought 3 days ago, what a mess.

Also a small live rock on top of live sand in a pail. Live sand given by a nice bro here.

[reef999]

Added live sands 2 days ago. The progress of the adding used live sand just like making a cup of milo...

I am using a power head to run on the temporary filter to filter out the dirt.

And here is the SUPER FILTER!

[reef999]

With the limited sight, scape was done with the temp filter running!

Blurrrrr.........

Here's the picture after connected with sump running.

[reef999]

Yesterday 4th June is day 4 of cycling.

Added a DIY float switch for auto top up system with height adjustment holder.

Also done a minor rescape on the rocks arangement. How's my virgin scape?

That's all for now. Going to sleep soon~

[pokmingsheng]

NICE!

i'm keeping a 2ft FOWLR, new to this hobby too....

just started 2months ago...

shall stay tuned here for more updates

[razornova]

Wow amazing DIY skills! I'll definitely be watching this as I'm upgrading to a 2ft tank soon. Overflow box looks very well done!

[Morpheous]

:bow:

Hows the skimmer doing

[big_ben102000]

your diy skill is impressive !

[reef999]

NICE!

i'm keeping a 2ft FOWLR, new to this hobby too....

just started 2months ago...

shall stay tuned here for more updates

Wow amazing DIY skills! I'll definitely be watching this as I'm upgrading to a 2ft tank soon. Overflow box looks very well done!

your diy skill is impressive !

Thanks! The overflow box taken quite sometime to make.

Still many more to learn from you all!

:bow:

Hows the skimmer doing

The skimmer not yet start running as for now still under cycling. Check out some comments that if skimmer on during cycling will longer the cycling period.

Wondering when should i turn it on?

[reef999]

I removed the market prawn yesterday which been inside the tank for 24 hours.

Today checking out the water parameters:

PH: 8.0

KH: 5 dkh

Ammonia: 0.6 ~ 0.9ppm

Nitrite: 0.25ppm

Nitrate: 20 ppm

sg: 1.019 (refractometer)

Is the parameter looks alright under 6 days cycling?

Water looks quite clear now.

Been added Bacteria, Calcium, PH buffer and KH buffer on day 3.

Should i monitor the parameter or dose more?

[stevenkoh08]

Thanks! The overflow box taken quite sometime to make.

Still many more to learn from you all!

The skimmer not yet start running as for now still under cycling. Check out some comments that if skimmer on during cycling will longer the cycling period.

Wondering when should i turn it on?

as i have said on only after you done with the market prawn don't wait too long all else your water contain too much nutrient it too late to control by then when you done with the cycle

[stevenkoh08]

I removed the market prawn yesterday which been inside the tank for 24 hours.

Today checking out the water parameters:

PH: 8.0

KH: 5 dkh

Ammonia: 0.6 ~ 0.9ppm

Nitrite: 0.25ppm

Nitrate: 20 ppm

sg: 1.019 (refractometer)

Is the parameter looks alright under 6 days cycling?

Water looks quite clear now.

Been added Bacteria, Calcium, PH buffer and KH buffer on day 3.

Should i monitor the parameter or dose more?

looks ok for now let it run now for a week without skimmer first correct for the sentence for earlier

[rainbowdarter]

Great bro.....

I like the DIY and arrangement of the LR.

It has been 3yrs I'd leave reefing.

Looking forward for more update from you...Cheers

[peacemaker]

Wow... impressive DIY skills for someone who is relatively new to the hobby! You must have researched quite a bit to get them done up pretty well!

Cute scaping too! Looks like Cookie Monster...

[reef999]

looks ok for now let it run now for a week without skimmer first correct for the sentence for earlier

Thanks! I'll turn the skimmer ON next week. Actually i turn it ON 20 minutes for functioning testing yesterday. Will update the picture later.

Great bro.....

I like the DIY and arrangement of the LR.

It has been 3yrs I'd leave reefing.

Looking forward for more update from you...Cheers

Thanks! Will update the progress.

Wow... impressive DIY skills for someone who is relatively new to the hobby! You must have researched quite a bit to get them done up pretty well!

Cute scaping too! Looks like Cookie Monster...

Thanks! Been busy doing some research and spent many time on all the DIY project...

Cookie Monster...hahah...i like it.

[stevenkoh08]

you may also wanna bring up your kh to 10-12dkh

[reef999]

Yesterday turn the skimmer on 20 m minutes to check for its functionality.

The collection cup

[stevenkoh08]

your return pipe is plastic is it??

[reef999]

you may also wanna bring up your kh to 10-12dkh

Yep. Added the KH and PH buffer yesterday too. Today KH reading around 9dkh. More higher?

[reef999]

your return pipe is plastic is it??

The return hose is a PVC flexible hose. Because i want to prevent using PVC elbow.