Help For New Setup Please!

[cybernetuk]

OK I’ll come clean and tell you I am completely confused! When I read something on the net or book I then read something else that contradicts the first thing I read!!

Anyway so I thought if someone wouldn't mind I just want to ask some basic questions! So here goes:

Will a Juwel Rio 125 be suitable for a FOWLR setup for a marine beginner? (only really plan to put in maybe 6 or 7 fish).

How much live rock will I need?

Do I need a skimmer?

Do I just get rid of all the sponges out of the existing filtration system?

Is live sand any good?

I no all these questions have been asked before at various place but i'd REALLY appreciate some answers


Many Thanks

 

[Betta5]

Live rock is 1lb per gallon min 2 being more ideal. Yes you will need a skimmer. Get rid of the sponges. Live sand is a waste of money your LR will turn it live over a peroid of time.

These are very basic answers, someone will give more info.

 

[SkiFletch]

Will a Juwel Rio 125 be suitable for a FOWLR setup for a marine beginner? (only really plan to put in maybe 6 or 7 fish).

Probably, what are its dimensions?

How much live rock will I need?

1lb/gallon minimum

Do I NEED a skimmer?

No. A better question is, would my fish appreciate a skimmer which would make them healthier (ie less prone to disease) and assist in avoiding nuisance algae outbreaks? Yes. Many people have gone skimmerless, especially in FOWLR and had success. There have also been some who have failed without one. If you are willing to go SLOWLY and learn BEFORE you add fish, you can avoid one.

Do I just get rid of all the sponges out of the existing filtration system?

Yes. You might want to consider purchasing some rowaphos and some women's nylons to use in place of the existing. Will help keep phosphates low and your tank will be less prone to nuisance algae.

Is live sand any good?

If your question is, "Is live sand sold in bags on my LFS' shelves any good?" the answer is absoloutely NOT. Sorry, but nothing is going to be alive in that bag which has been sitting in a warehouse then frozen in the bottom of a plane or back of a truck and finally sitting on your LFS' shelves for months at a time. Now, a couple of cups from a marine aquarist with a large established system, thats worth it. But save your money on that gimmicky baged junk.

 

[tmreynolds]

OK I’ll come clean and tell you I am completely confused! When I read something on the net or book I then read something else that contradicts the first thing I read!!

Anyway so I thought if someone wouldn't mind I just want to ask some basic questions! So here goes:

Will a Juwel Rio 125 be suitable for a FOWLR setup for a marine beginner? (only really plan to put in maybe 6 or 7 fish).

Should be fine, I am setting my first marine tank with a Juwel Vision 180, 6 or 7 fish may be too many though in a 125 litre tank. I am getting 5 or 6 in my 180 litre max.

How much live rock will I need?

About 15-20kg's would be ideal.

Do I need a skimmer?

I would get one, I got a Tunze nano doc skimmer, either this or the Deltec MC500 would be ideal (these were the best I saw for my tank)

Do I just get rid of all the sponges out of the existing filtration system?

Yes, I have removed all the internal sponges and replaced with a filter bag of Rowaphos and a bag of active carbon

Is live sand any good?

No, get some coral sand or argonite (spelling?) sand instead.

I no all these questions have been asked before at various place but i'd REALLY appreciate some answers

Read as many articles on this website as you can, I would wait a few weeks before buying anything, in this time do as much background reading as you can, so you know exactly what you want before spending any cash.

Many Thanks

 

[cybernetuk]

Probably, what are its dimensions?

Dimensions: 81 x 36 x 50cm


Thanks for the help guys

 

[SkiFletch]

Thats a pretty good size. A little on the thin side at 36cm but better than those stinkin 30cm tanks, they drive me nuts.

 

[Betta5]

30mm 3cm?

 

[SkiFletch]

mm, cm, they're the same thing right?

 

[Betta5]

mm, cm, they're the same thing right?

Thats a joke right?

 

[Eversurf]

I'm canadian I know the answer to that

1m (meter) = 100 cm (Centimeter) =1000mm Millimiters

Metric is so much easier.

 

[SkiFletch]

Yes, that was a joke, hence the blush symbol. I do that all the time when typing for some odd reason.