chamty Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwyk153 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 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. Quote Reefing since 2003 4ft x 2ft x 2ft Mixed Reef (BB):- 50 Gal Sump, Apex Controlled System (Lab grade), Deltec SC1455 Protein Skimmer, Vortech MP40wQD, Jebao RW-15 Maxspect Razor 320w Eheim 1260 Return Pump, Hailea HS-66A 1/4HP chiller, TLF Reactor 150, running HydroCarbon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member cdckjn Posted July 28, 2009 SRC Member Share Posted July 28, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chamty Posted July 28, 2009 Author Share Posted July 28, 2009 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solo77 Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 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. Quote Tank : 4 X 2 X 2 with low iron front panel and external overflow Skimmer : BK SM200 with waste collector Return Pumps : Red Dragon 6m3 and Ehiem 1262 FR : 2 X Deltec 509 & powered by AB2000 Nitrate Filter : Deltec NF 509 and tee off from AB2000 Calcium R'tor : Deltec PF 501 with RM secondary chamber Kalkwasser R'tor : Deltec KM500 Chiller : Pansonic 1 HP Compressor with 20m titanium Coil Wave Makers : 4 X Tunze 6055 with 7096 & Vortec MP40w Controller : GHL Profilux Lighting : ATI Powermodule 10 or 8 tubes Water Top-up : Water Top-Up tank powered by Tunze Osmolator External Monitor : American Pinpoint pH and Temp. Monitor for main tank and GHL Profilux Controller to measure temp, pH, Redox Ozonizer : Sander C50 UV : Corallife 6x Algae Scrubbler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member jyoon Posted July 28, 2009 SRC Member Share Posted July 28, 2009 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Thexder Posted July 28, 2009 SRC Member Share Posted July 28, 2009 Tank A for FOWLR. Tank B for reef or species only Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilsontantw Posted July 29, 2009 Share Posted July 29, 2009 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. Quote decommissioned 2.5x2x2 Videos: | | Your mind is like a parachute. It only works when it is open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chamty Posted July 30, 2009 Author Share Posted July 30, 2009 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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