Tank Choices for FOWLR

[chamty]

Hi all..

I am planning to set-up a Fowlr tank very soon..but have 2 choices:

Option A:

Convert an existing (5 ft x 16" x 1.5" high) freshwater planted tank.

Option B:

Use a new 2.5 ft x 1.5 ft x 2 ft high tank that I just ordered..

Option B tank was specially designed and ordered for this purpose and pretty straight forward...

However, tank is a bit small for large fishes (2.5 ft long and approximately 56 gallons) ..

Idea of using Option A tank only came out 2 days ago..

Nice long tank but a bit shallow (only 16" wide and 18" high.. approximately 75 gallons)

Will be back breaking-work though.. to remove existing sand, driftwood, etc..

Equipment-wise, pretty straight forward as it has a sump and ample space for a protein skimmer

If I were to go for this option, the newly ordered tank (Option B tank) will be setup as a planted tank.

Intend to keep medium sized tangs and angels for this FOWLR tank (as requested by wife!)

Any advice?

[nwyk153]

Hi all..

I am planning to set-up a Fowlr tank very soon..but have 2 choices:

Option A:

Convert an existing (5 ft x 16" x 1.5" high) freshwater planted tank.

Option B:

Use a new 2.5 ft x 1.5 ft x 2 ft high tank that I just ordered..

Option B tank was specially designed and ordered for this purpose and pretty straight forward...

However, tank is a bit small for large fishes (2.5 ft long and approximately 56 gallons) ..

Idea of using Option A tank only came out 2 days ago..

Nice long tank but a bit shallow (only 16" wide and 18" high.. approximately 75 gallons)

Will be back breaking-work though.. to remove existing sand, driftwood, etc..

Equipment-wise, pretty straight forward as it has a sump and ample space for a protein skimmer

If I were to go for this option, the newly ordered tank (Option B tank) will be setup as a planted tank.

Intend to keep medium sized tangs and angels for this FOWLR tank (as requested by wife!)

Any advice?

**!!PICK 'A'!!** lio.

cuz, tangs and angels need a lots and lots of room to swim.

[cdckjn]

Option A is a good choice if you want to go FOWLR. BUT please note the thickness of your glass especially if it is 5ft. Does it have bracing in the middle? If it is meantt for freshwater but now you are using it for marine water, the thickness of glass may nt be thick enough.

In my opinion, both of the tank also can. It really depend on you. For FOWLR tank, the depth does not really matter as this will only affect the depth of light penetration. It also depends on what type of fish you want, if you want tangs or angelfish, then a longer tank (Option A) is better as they will swim left to right. If you are keeping others type of fishes, then Option B is ok as well as they have the depth to swim in.

Happy reefing.

[chamty]

Option A is a good choice if you want to go FOWLR. BUT please note the thickness of your glass especially if it is 5ft. Does it have bracing in the middle? If it is meantt for freshwater but now you are using it for marine water, the thickness of glass may nt be thick enough.

In my opinion, both of the tank also can. It really depend on you. For FOWLR tank, the depth does not really matter as this will only affect the depth of light penetration. It also depends on what type of fish you want, if you want tangs or angelfish, then a longer tank (Option A) is better as they will swim left to right. If you are keeping others type of fishes, then Option B is ok as well as they have the depth to swim in.

Happy reefing.

Thanks for the advice...

Yup the 5ft tank has proper bracing and has served me well for a year..

With such shallow depth, the water pressure shouldnt be that high...

In a bit of a dilemma..

Option A

Backbreaking work..

Long but not very impressive to look at in terms of height..

Freshwater planted aquarium using new tank may not be good for the plants at 2ft height..

Option B

New tank.. easy set-up

Impressive height but not not long enough..

Most probably will go for option A as FOWLR

[Solo77]

for fowlr with big fishes.....i think depth and height are important. The depth should be at least 2.....2.5 to 3 will be good. height wise, 2.5 seems good.

[jyoon]

Hi Bro

Option A will be great if you have to choose between 1 for a FOLWR.

More surface area mean more gas exchange. Also fishes swim more horizontal then vertical. That's my 2 cents.

[Thexder]

Tank A for FOWLR.

Tank B for reef or species only

[wilsontantw]

hi bro...

my strong recommendation is use the 5' for fowlr. 2.5' for planted.

i'm currently running a 2.5' and my 3 mid-size tangs are already screaming for space. Speaking from personal experience, i'm currently planning to upgrade becoz of this reason.

personally, i think 16" height shouldnt be a major issue since it's fowlr. though 2' height is usually ideal.

backbreaking it will be... but at least u're doing it just once and for 1 tank. Imagine if you regret after setting it up... it's twice the back breaking experience.

[chamty]

hi bro...

my strong recommendation is use the 5' for fowlr. 2.5' for planted.

i'm currently running a 2.5' and my 3 mid-size tangs are already screaming for space. Speaking from personal experience, i'm currently planning to upgrade becoz of this reason.

personally, i think 16" height shouldnt be a major issue since it's fowlr. though 2' height is usually ideal.

backbreaking it will be... but at least u're doing it just once and for 1 tank. Imagine if you regret after setting it up... it's twice the back breaking experience.

Thanks for all the advice!

Will definitely go for the 5 feet tank now..

Haha.. look's like this weekend will be a busy one for me!