Fish Only Tank

[MadReefer]

I used a Rena XP3 with a skimmer on FO tank with 10% water change every 2 weeks on a 55 gallon setup. Biggest problem, as usual, is not to overstock.

Mark

 

[ken6217]

I could be wrong but isn't running copper with LR detrimental to the LR?
Ken

PS- Great thread!

 

[DaveK]

I could be wrong but isn't running copper with LR detrimental to the LR?...

Yes, it is. the live rock will absorb the copper, and leach it into the system. In addition, a high dose of copper will kill most of the desirable things growing on the rock. This makes any live rock in a tank with copper being run, just about useless for any other type of setup.

 

[Tito]

IF you do this and instruct them as so - the tank will not fail.

1. Two not one but two canisters! I recomend XP3s (that's what I use and would not use another). Fill the XP3s with biorings and top off with a floss pad for polishing.
2. A UV sterilizer (Keeps water clear and algea free and will kill parasites)
3. A H.O.B. Skimmer (It helps a LOT) I recommend a Seaclone nothing fancy.
4. Aragonite sand. Large grain small grain what ever suits your taste.
5. Decor Live rock dead rock any rock make it rock man! LOL
6. Powerheads if you need more water movement(depends on size of tank).
7. Phosban Reactor (especially if using tap).

You use these for you FO or FOWLR and you will succeed with good husbandry - you know - don't overstock, don't overfeed, don't put it fish that eat other fish, oh, and common sense.

 

[Phyl]

1. Two not one but two canisters! I recomend XP3s (that's what I use and would not use another). Fill the XP3s with biorings and top off with a floss pad for polishing.

This is the best looking advice I've seen in this thread. Having two allows you to keep some bio filtration while cleaning the other "half" of the filter. Sounds like a great idea.

 

[mladencovic]

Bill asks an important question about what kind of fish he plans to keep.

The answer I get when I ask is pretty, colorful ones. Of course I responded "that's not good enough to give advice". Then I directed them to LiveAquaria and Marine Center to look at the fish. Honestly, I'm hoping the sticker shock will deter them. I'm pretty sure the tank will fail quickly and we'll end up with a bunch of dead fish. But it's my wife's girlfriend and her husband so I'm trying to not insult them and stay out of the dog house. I'm almost tempted to set it up with a couple fish I wouldn't mind adding to my tank and when things start going south (if they even tell me) yank them, QT, and add to my tank.

I appreciate all the advice. I'll probably recommend a couple pieces of cured live rock from the LFS, course aggregate substrate, and a canister filter. Of course a heater, maxi jet and light (probably compact PC) as well.

Rich I am with you completely on that sentiment. If somene is not capable of maintainig FW tank, no way they will be able to maintain any kind of SW tank (unless there is huge difference in motivation). Someone once posted that it is the same to maintain SW and FW tanks, but that is completely not true.

Anyway, my suggestion would be for them to go minimalistic and not to go for plenty of colors. Try to sell them the idea of one fish in the tank but something that would be very very cool (and more expensive). Like one colorfull lionfish that is "poisonous", or one morey eel that is "dangerous", or one angel that is "fragile". Of course nothing that is really fragile and difficult to maintain and feed, just something that looks like that. That way you can reduce the bioload, and therefore have a lot of freedom in choice of the setup and it simplifies the maintenace.