Advice on 125G FOWLR build

[Nano-Newb1983]

Im looking for some info on what equipment i will need for my 125g Trigger and puffer tank

Im going to be getting the tank and stand at the swap

I have been told the tank cant be drilled on the bottom so what are my options for having a sump? Do i need a HOB overflow? do i still drill the tank for return?

IT possible to have the tank with no sump? if so what would be needed?

also whats a good skimmer to get? and what would be a good return pump?


sorry for all the newb questions, but all this fancy equipment new to me since i have only done nanos before

Thanks for any advice

mark

[bigbill]

my 90 gallon cant be drilled on the bottom i built an over flow box hand the tank drill 2 inch for the top of the tank on the back used a 1 1/2 bulk head ran pvc pipe to my sump i did not drill the return lines i hung it over the back , i allso blk out the back of the tank with oil based black paint from home depot it drys like rubber easy to remove and holds up any ? shoot me a pm our post it here

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/members/bigbill/albums/bigbills-80gal-display/2255-img-2228.jpg
http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/members/bigbill/albums/bigbills-80gal-display/2254-img-2221.jpg

[Nano-Newb1983]

thanks alot for tips. So could i just buy a HOB overflow box and do it that way?

[bigbill]

thanks alot for tips. So could i just buy a HOB overflow box and do it that way?
yea that will work 2

[Nano-Newb1983]

would it matter what one? should it be a certain size or GPH? sorry for all the questions lol

this fancy stuff all new to me lol

[bigbill]

just make sure u are draining a little bit more then u are pump back i went with the 1 1/2 drain and had to down size it to 1 1/4 and i am runing a mag 12

---------- Post added at 09:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 AM ----------

sorry for all the questions lol. thats what where hear for bud ask away most of us love to talk about this stuff

[Nano-Newb1983]

just make sure u are draining a little bit more then u are pump back i went with the 1 1/2 drain and had to down size it to 1 1/4 and i am runing a mag 12

---------- Post added at 09:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 AM ----------

sorry for all the questions lol. thats what where hear for bud ask away most of us love to talk about this stuff

so what would be a good HOB overflow to get? :highfive3:

[bigbill]

so what would be a good HOB overflow to get? :highfive3:
i would look around and figure out what return pump u are going to use i find it easier to get a build list tougher saves from running back and fourth to the store our waiting a week cause no one sells the part u need

and iam not to sure about the hob overflows some one will chime in i hope

[Nano-Newb1983]

im not sure what return pump either lol

Im sorry if i clueless about this :silly:

[bigbill]

is this a reef tank our a fish only

[Nano-Newb1983]

it will be fowlr for puffers tiggers and few other larger fish

[MizTanks]

You stated this is to be a FOWLR right? If so then there is no need for a skimmer nor a sump actually. There's no need for drilling your tank, no need for an overflow. Unless of course you plan on a reef tank in the future. If not I would just invest in one of the many high quality canister filters out there. Keep it simple :)

[Nano-Newb1983]

You stated this is to be a FOWLR right? If so then there is no need for a skimmer nor a sump actually. There's no need for drilling your tank, no need for an overflow. Unless of course you plan on a reef tank in the future. If not I would just invest in one of the many high quality canister filters out there. Keep it simple :)

Yes this will be fowlr, not planning on doin it reef. I have wanted puffers and triggers for the longest time now and now im doing it lol

i have thought about the canister filters too, but i dont even know where to start on what one would work. There sooo many

What would the pros and cons be of having a sump tho? Sure it a pain drilling and all that, but would it be better in the long run?

I overfeed some and plan on nice stocked tank with lots of fish

[bigbill]

You stated this is to be a FOWLR right? If so then there is no need for a skimmer nor a sump actually. There's no need for drilling your tank, no need for an overflow. Unless of course you plan on a reef tank in the future. If not I would just invest in one of the many high quality canister filters out there. Keep it simple :)

i totally disagree canister filters are junk

[Nano-Newb1983]

yea i just dont know what to do lol

Im pretty sure i wanna do a sump. Just need to figure out what HOB overflow to get and return pump and what size bulkheads

Im pretty sure for my sump i goin to do a 40 or 30g long. Would like to fit a small fuge in if possible too

[MizTanks]

This is the biggest and best Fluval has to offer. You can't go wrong here. There are a number of great canister filters out there. Personally I've been using them on my FW tanks for over 35yrs. If I had a FOWLR this is exactly what I'd be using for my tank. Actually I still use one periodically for polishing my reef water. There are so many different types of filter media that can be used with them also. Here's just one Fluval has to offer. For tanks up to 400g with a gph of 607.
Fluval fx5 fluval fx5 canister filter fluval fx5 canister hagen fluval fx5 fluval fx5 filter Hagen fluval hagen fluval canister hagen fluval filter hagen fluval filters hagen filter hagen filters hagen fluval canister filter fluval canister (http://www.marineandreef.com/Hagen_Fluval_FX5_Canister_Fluval_FX5_Filter_s/227.htm)

My question to you is this. Why would you want a sump, skimmer, plumbing, drilling for a FOWLR if none of it is needed? Doesn't matter how much you plan of feeding your fish, or how many fish you plan on keeping. A sump is mainly used for a place to put the items you wouldn't want in your reef system. A place to easily access said items if the need should ever arise. Leaving our delicate corals less put upon. A refugium is for filtration. The only thing your going to want to hide in a FOWLR would be a heater and you don't need a sump for that.

[Nano-Newb1983]

This is the biggest and best Fluval has to offer. You can't go wrong here. There are a number of great canister filters out there. Personally I've been using them on my FW tanks for over 35yrs. If I had a FOWLR this is exactly what I'd be using for my tank. Actually I still use one periodically for polishing my reef water. There are so many different types of filter media that can be used with them also. Here's just one Fluval has to offer. For tanks up to 400g with a gph of 607.
Fluval fx5 fluval fx5 canister filter fluval fx5 canister hagen fluval fx5 fluval fx5 filter Hagen fluval hagen fluval canister hagen fluval filter hagen fluval filters hagen filter hagen filters hagen fluval canister filter fluval canister (http://www.marineandreef.com/Hagen_Fluval_FX5_Canister_Fluval_FX5_Filter_s/227.htm)

My question to you is this. Why would you want a sump, skimmer, plumbing, drilling for a FOWLR if none of it is needed? Doesn't matter how much you plan of feeding your fish, or how many fish you plan on keeping. A sump is mainly used for a place to put the items you wouldn't want in your reef system. A place to easily access said items if the need should ever arise. Leaving our delicate corals less put upon. A refugium is for filtration. The only thing your going to want to hide in a FOWLR would be a heater and you don't need a sump for that.

that does seem like a pretty sweet filter. would that be overkill for 125g?

i still not sure what to do.. canister filter sure would be alot easier to do..

I will see what others have to say. thanks alot MIZ

[EMUreef]

This is the biggest and best Fluval has to offer. You can't go wrong here. There are a number of great canister filters out there. Personally I've been using them on my FW tanks for over 35yrs. If I had a FOWLR this is exactly what I'd be using for my tank. Actually I still use one periodically for polishing my reef water. There are so many different types of filter media that can be used with them also. Here's just one Fluval has to offer. For tanks up to 400g with a gph of 607.
Fluval fx5 fluval fx5 canister filter fluval fx5 canister hagen fluval fx5 fluval fx5 filter Hagen fluval hagen fluval canister hagen fluval filter hagen fluval filters hagen filter hagen filters hagen fluval canister filter fluval canister (http://www.marineandreef.com/Hagen_Fluval_FX5_Canister_Fluval_FX5_Filter_s/227.htm)

My question to you is this. Why would you want a sump, skimmer, plumbing, drilling for a FOWLR if none of it is needed? Doesn't matter how much you plan of feeding your fish, or how many fish you plan on keeping. A sump is mainly used for a place to put the items you wouldn't want in your reef system. A place to easily access said items if the need should ever arise. Leaving our delicate corals less put upon. A refugium is for filtration. The only thing your going to want to hide in a FOWLR would be a heater and you don't need a sump for that.

Im sorry but IMO you are giving him the wrong advice. Ya he might not need a skimmer for the fact he doesn't have coral, but he should consider one for the nutrient export. The fish he plans on having poop often and a lot. Without a skimmer i would see him having trouble battling algae. A sump is also nice to hide heaters and other stuff you don't wanna have in the main display.

With that being said, if you can i'd stear away from the HOB overflow boxes, they are a pain. You should be able to drill the back glass if you can you should think about getting something like this, 3000 Overflow Box Complete Kit-Blemished (http://www.glass-holes.com/3000-Overflow-Box-Complete-Kit-Blemished-3kblem.htm)

check to see if ur LFS will drill the tank for you, usually pretty cheap.

but like i said with the type of fish you plan on keeping, you should really have a sump and skimmer.

[MizTanks]

First notice that I will NOT say: "You Should Have". Whether it's FW or SW fish poop is fish poop and a sump and skimmer is NOT the only way to remove the nutrients from a FOWLR tank. If it was, a lot of suppliers would be out of business.
I'm merely suggesting an easier way to maintain your system without all (what I call) hassle. Hassle (if only to me who likes to keep it as simple as possible) that is totally unnecessary. Requires less space if space is an issue (and even if its not) Less water needed. Less to worry about. IMO much easier to maintain. Offers a wider verity of uses both biological and chemical. Good husbandry is also the key here. Proper timely water changes on a well stocked fish only tank is a must no matter what your using for filtration :)

Having said all this IMO it comes down to what is best for your fish and you. What's best for your fish can be had by several different methods period. What's best for you only you can say :) Good luck and have fun!

Oh and Fluval (I only mention Fluval because I want one lol) has many different sizes of canister filters. I ran 2x Magnum 350's by MarinLand on my 75g which gave me a total of 700gph. Over kill? Not. By the time you add your media the gph slows a bit. My tank was stocked with South American Cichlids all being 6+" Never had algae, nitrates, nitrites nor the dreaded ammonia. In one I ran carbon/floss and the other I ran a po4 sponge. I still add the canister to my reef tank when I need a very quick fix to a phosphate issue or just want to polish up the water. Guess you can say I really like canister filters :)

[Nano-Newb1983]

Im sorry but IMO you are giving him the wrong advice. Ya he might not need a skimmer for the fact he doesn't have coral, but he should consider one for the nutrient export. The fish he plans on having poop often and a lot. Without a skimmer i would see him having trouble battling algae. A sump is also nice to hide heaters and other stuff you don't wanna have in the main display.

With that being said, if you can i'd stear away from the HOB overflow boxes, they are a pain. You should be able to drill the back glass if you can you should think about getting something like this, 3000 Overflow Box Complete Kit-Blemished (http://www.glass-holes.com/3000-Overflow-Box-Complete-Kit-Blemished-3kblem.htm)

check to see if ur LFS will drill the tank for you, usually pretty cheap.

but like i said with the type of fish you plan on keeping, you should really have a sump and skimmer.

my tank can be drilled, but not on the bottom.

I got a buddy that can drill it for me. SO to have internal overflow i just need to drill back and not bottom?


thanks again everyone for the help so far. I really do love this place

[MizTanks]

my tank can be drilled, but not on the bottom.

I got a buddy that can drill it for me. SO to have internal overflow i just need to drill back and not bottom?


thanks again everyone for the help so far. I really do love this place

Yes, just the back. 1 for intake and 1 for return.

---------- Post added at 12:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 PM ----------


i totally disagree canister filters are junk

Care to elaborate on your reasoning? What your opinion is based on to better clarify for the OP :) Experiences good and bad would help.

[EMUreef]

First notice that I will NOT say: "You Should Have". Whether it's FW or SW fish poop is fish poop and a sump and skimmer is NOT the only way to remove the nutrients from a FOWLR tank. If it was, a lot of suppliers would be out of business.

yes fish poop is fish poop but compare a clownfish poop to tang poop, which is gonna create more ammonia or the need to export it? probably the bigger fish. A canister filter will work OK on a normally stocked tank but he's gonna be stocking his tank on the heavier side.


I'm merely suggesting an easier way to maintain your system without all (what I call) hassle. Hassle (if only to me who likes to keep it as simple as possible) that is totally unnecessary. Requires less space if space is an issue (and even if its not) Less water needed. Less to worry about. IMO much easier to maintain. Offers a wider verity of uses both biological and chemical. Good husbandry is also the key here. Proper timely water changes on a well stocked fish only tank is a must no matter what your using for filtration :)

I would like to clear up the misconception that having a sump is a hassel. I've had bother a canister filter and a sump and i will never use a canister filter again. In my opinion sumps are the easiest to maintain. If you research and set up the sump the correct way, all you will have to do is empty your skimmer cup every week. Maybe once a month or everywater change clean your return pump. If thats a hassel...than this is the wrong hobby to be in.

Can canister filters be useful and work? Sure... but they require the same amount of maintenance as a sump does, sometimes more. When i had my canister filters there were times i had to clean the entire thing every couple of days.



Having said all this IMO it comes down to what is best for your fish and you. What's best for your fish can be had by several different methods period. What's best for you only you can say :) Good luck and have fun!

have you ever used a sump?

---------------

Most of the time fish die from disease because of poor water quality. Can a canister do the job? Sure, if maintained correctly. You want to be able to provide the best water quality possible for your fish to live in.

say you live in a area that has a lot of air pollution, you'd wanna make sure your family has the best air quality available to them and you'd want do whatever it takes to get that for them.

[Nano-Newb1983]

ok i think im going for a sump lol. i would feel safer going that way

So if i were to use a 40long would that be ok? and how would i do about seening how to put baffels in? and would a small fuge work in sump too?

if i go with the over flow kit listed earlier. what would be a good return pump? also looking for advise on the skimmer

thanks again

[bluwc]

ok i think im going for a sump lol. i would feel safer going that way

So if i were to use a 40long would that be ok? and how would i do about seening how to put baffels in? and would a small fuge work in sump too?

if i go with the over flow kit listed earlier. what would be a good return pump? also looking for advise on the skimmer

thanks again
I agree with Russ & Bill on this one. Sump is the way to go. I understand corals produce a very small bioload but the heavy bioload people talk about are from fish...period. I would be more apt to run a junk canister filter on a reef only tank vs a FOWLR tank. Those are going to be some big fish and a big bioload. Why wouldn't you want a big skimmer to clean it up? HOB skimmers are junk too.....it's so much easier with a sump to not only hide the equipment, but more water cycling through the system, chaeto to help with nutriants. I don;t understand how you can get that from a canister filter.

Canister filter/hob skimmer=junk imo =0)

[EMUreef]

ok i think im going for a sump lol. i would feel safer going that way

So if i were to use a 40long would that be ok? and how would i do about seening how to put baffels in? and would a small fuge work in sump too?

if i go with the over flow kit listed earlier. what would be a good return pump? also looking for advise on the skimmer

thanks again

40 long would work. if there is a petco by you, you should hit them up they have a 1$ a gallon sale on tanks.
make sure that you would be able to fit in your stand , though im sure you wouldn't have an issue with it.

i'd google how to put baffles in a sump, its easy to do.

as far as pumps i'd recommend a quiteone 4000, though otheres might have advice as i've only used quiteones, i have a 4000 and 3000 in my system.

skimmers, i'd look at reef octopus. CV-OCT-NWB-200 Premium Aquatics - CV-OCT-NWB-200 Aquarium Supplies (http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/CV-OCT-NWB-200.html)
keep an eye out for used ones, used skimmer preform just as good as new ones.

[bluwc]

If you want Mark, you can go buy the sump tank and have a glass company cut your baffles for you. You bring all your material with you the meeting this Sunday and we can do a "how to build a sump" class.

[Nano-Newb1983]

40 long would work. if there is a petco by you, you should hit them up they have a 1$ a gallon sale on tanks.
make sure that you would be able to fit in your stand , though im sure you wouldn't have an issue with it.

i'd google how to put baffles in a sump, its easy to do.

as far as pumps i'd recommend a quiteone 4000, though otheres might have advice as i've only used quiteones, i have a 4000 and 3000 in my system.

skimmers, i'd look at reef octopus. CV-OCT-NWB-200 Premium Aquatics - CV-OCT-NWB-200 Aquarium Supplies (http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/CV-OCT-NWB-200.html)
keep an eye out for used ones, used skimmer preform just as good as new ones.

cool i was just looking at that skimmer, i think im going to go with it

Now that link above you posted with with overflow, is that that size i should get? and would i need 2 holes for intake? then just one for return?

i will keep the quietone pumps in mind
:highfive3:

---------- Post added at 12:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 PM ----------


If you want Mark, you can go buy the sump tank and have a glass company cut your baffles for you. You bring all your material with you the meeting this Sunday and we can do a "how to build a sump" class.

i prolly wouldnt have tank by then. we can for sure do it at the meeting next time. Can demo drilling my tank too by then lol

[bluwc]

I have a quietone on my cube mark, its a nice pump. You will need a bigger one than me, but I only have a 20g sump with about a 700gph going through it.

---------- Post added at 11:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------

You should get the tank before next weekend....the sale only lasts until the 17th or 18th....petco $1 a gl sale.

[Nano-Newb1983]

where you get yours from? i will look online for them

[EMUreef]

cool i was just looking at that skimmer, i think im going to go with it

Now that link above you posted with with overflow, is that that size i should get? and would i need 2 holes for intake? then just one for return?

i will keep the quietone pumps in mind
:highfive3:

---------- Post added at 12:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 PM ----------



i prolly wouldnt have tank by then. we can for sure do it at the meeting next time. Can demo drilling my tank too by then lol

The way its setup, the 2 wholes for the overflow are used for the drain.
Here's a link to my buddies tank, in the first post you can see how he set his up and how i would recommend you doing yours, but maybe 2 returns, one in each corner.

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/members-reefs/my-34g-cube-build-13209/

dont go with teh one i showed you, thats way to much lol

1500 gph complete kit - Glass-Holes.com dope aquarium stuff (http://www.glass-holes.com/1500-gph-complete-kit-gh1500kit.htm)

[bluwc]

I got mine from dave, another reefer.

[Nano-Newb1983]

The way its setup, the 2 wholes for the overflow are used for the drain.
Here's a link to my buddies tank, in the first post you can see how he set his up and how i would recommend you doing yours, but maybe 2 returns, one in each corner.

http://www.captivereefs.com/forum/members-reefs/my-34g-cube-build-13209/

dont go with teh one i showed you, thats way to much lol

1500 gph complete kit - Glass-Holes.com dope aquarium stuff (http://www.glass-holes.com/1500-gph-complete-kit-gh1500kit.htm)

i will check out the build, and order the 1500gph kit

And i think i go with quiet one return pump. and the 4000 will be good?

thanks for all the tips again everyone :fish2:

[EMUreef]

i will check out the build, and order the 1500gph kit

And i think i go with quiet one return pump. and the 4000 will be good?

thanks for all the tips again everyone :fish2:

ya i have a 4000 on my 90g, so it'll work fine for your tank.

[Nano-Newb1983]

cool thank you

[Nano-Newb1983]

ok so what does everyone think about this list so far

125g tank and stand
40G long for sump

This for overflow
1500 gph complete kit - Glass-Holes.com dope aquarium stuff (http://www.glass-holes.com/1500-gph-complete-kit-gh1500kit.htm)

This for skimmer
CV-OCT-NWB-200 Premium Aquatics - CV-OCT-NWB-200 Aquarium Supplies (http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/CV-OCT-NWB-200.html)

Quiet one 4000 (would it be big enough, it less than 800gph @ 4 foot)

flow, not sure yet

[bluwc]

I was with Dale today and got you a sump if you want it...really nice but need to know the dimensions of the stand.

[Nano-Newb1983]

I was with Dale today and got you a sump if you want it...really nice but need to know the dimensions of the stand.

awesome, sorry i missed ur call yesterday i was in bed, had to work at 11pm

Im not sure what dimensions are of stand, i will send him message. What size was the sump? i know the guy said i could easy fit a 40g long under there