Wanna help...?

[willertac]

So...uh...sup?

I will be getting a 125g sometime in the relatively near future to fit the fish I wanted that can't fit in my 55g that I originally planned to set up. Someone suggested that I turn the 55 into a sump. At first I wasn't really for that, but in thinking, I felt it would save a lot of money. I wouldn't have to buy at least another 100 pounds of rock, a filter (even though I was offered an Fx5), I wouldn't have to use that much RO/DI water (even though I now plan to do a FOWLR), and so on. But I already bought the skimmer for the 55g, a HOB one. I don't have any tools or plumbing related things. And I also do not know, despite reading countless articles and threads on various forums, how to make my tank a sump.
Perhaps you guys could help?

It's a 55 who's panels are tempered glass (no drilling), and a tank I bought a welded stand for, and the versatops, powerheads, and as stated, skimmer. So I'd have to find a way to sell all of that (or at least most of it, I'm sure the powerheads are still usable) as money's not a really well-flowing faucet around here. That's why it's taken me this long just to set up for the 55.

I'd bet it'd be easier to go with the sump. At least it would be if I knew what I was doing!!!

So, any pointers/instructions/whatever will be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[Hawkeye]

The quickest way to make a million dollars in this hobby is to start with two million....

Anyways my point is you have a sunk cost already with the 55 and you'll be lucky to get pennies on the dollar of that stuff. A FOWLR 125 doesn't require a sump in my opinion. Actually in my opinion you could have a very nice 55 FOWLR. What's driving you to the bigger tank? What kind of fish are you thinking of?

Just thinking it's always better to go slow in this hobby. Only bad things happen quickly and good things take forever. My 2 cents.

 

[willertac]

I'd really love a Triggerfish and a Dog Faced Puffer. Some butterflies, angels, and tangs also caught my attention.
Originally for the 55, I was going to go with an eventual reef with a Pink Skunk Clown, a few firefish of different colors, and some other smaller fish. But even then, I wan't really... feeling it, I guess you could say; the fish weren't truly speaking to me.

 

[willertac]

What would you put in a 55 FOLWR? That may actually help me.

 

[hans24hrs]

you could do dwarf angels, dwarf lion fish (certain species). You could do puffer, trigger, angel and tangs but sooner than later they will require a lot more space (also I am not recommending all of them at same time). space is always a big problem when doing FOWLR. My buddy was thinking of doing same size set up. Thankfully I was able to talk him out of it, he changes his mind a lot and would end up over stocking tank, get tired of maintenance and sell everything with in a month or so. Anyway if you do a 55 I would look into some smaller fish, or save up your money and get what you really want. All most everyone in this hobby (self included) started with a smaller tank and eventually after spending an arm and a leg on various tanks, equipment and livestock and then went to the larger tank we wanted.

 

[JRWOHLER]

A sump is always helpful if not needed. So you wouldn't need to do anything special to the 55G at this point you are ready to go. Once you plan the bigger tank it will make a wonderful sump. I like having a sump you can put the skimmer in it, you get surface skimming from the overflows, added water volume, perhaps a refugium. Why not set up the 55G as a FOWLR and get the hang of what you are doing. You can have some smaller angels, tangs depending on which ones you like if you start small and know you cannot keep them long term it is suboptimal but doable. Research your fish, some will not do well with others. You don't want a lot of tangs together for instance, though in a bigger tank 2 are doable while in a 55 would be bad idea. Canister filters are not "usually" used on saltwater tanks, I have seen them occasionally on a FOWLR just FYI. One great 15 ish dollars you can spend is to join here as a paying member, we do have group buys, a for sale area, and few other perks. Plus some LFS will give you a discount as a member.

 

[mnat]

First off welcome to the club.

For a 55g FOWLR you could look at tobies, dwarf angels, dwarf lions and clowns. 55 is a good starting point, but the 120 would be much better for the tangs, full size puffers, triggers and butterflies.

Equipment that we don't use in this hobby is almost like a tax you just kind of budget for. We all buy things on a whim or because it is a great price and then never use it. Selling stuff is tough, I had people offer me half price for a brand new in box never used bulb, used equipment is like a car, once off the lot it loses a lot of value.

If your heart it set on the bigger fish, wait and plan for the bigger tank. Turning a 55g into a sump would just require some glass baffles to be cut to size (glass shops will do that) and siliconed into place. You create an area for the skimmer, a fuge (maybe) and then area for a return pump. You would not have to drill the tank at all. This would give you the option to get an in sump skimmer, not just a HOB (which do work well), area to put your heaters and other equipment (if needed), add water volume which adds to stability of the overall system, and give you an area for naughty fish/inverts when they need to go in timeout (very under rated feature of the sump).

 

[Hawkeye]

i'd consider a snowflake eel for a 55 - if eels are your thing. They require a bit more care since you want to ensure the tank prevents them from escape. Then adding any other fish that is bigger than the eels mouth will work. Or some small colorful fish (damsels) that you wouldn't be too upset if the eel ate by accident.

if i didn't go the eel route i'd consider butterflies and angels - neither of which are really reef safe, but very cool in a fowlr.

 

[Hawkeye]

btw i think triggerfish and puffers are excellent fish - they tend to be very smart and will pick up on who the owner is. In many ways they make a very fun pet for a fish.