20Gals. FOWLR Set-Up?

[ajeric234]

Hello everyone!

I am planning on setting up a 20g FOWLR aquarium. Since, I am a beginner I have some questions on my mind and here are some:

1. Is a Sump essential for a 20g FOWLR set-up?
2. Do I still need a protein skimmer? What kind of protein skimmer?
3. I have no choice but to use water coming from NAWASA. What would I do?
4. I have an OHF already is it sufficient for a 20g FOWLR set-up?
5. What kind of lightning fixtures could you suggest?

Thank you for your response

[drmikelangelo]

Welcome to reef philippines

I would suggest that you setup a bigger tank, because you cant put to many fishes in a 20 gal tank and some of the beautiful species have a minimum tank size thats much much bigger than a 20.

1. It would be good to have a sump because it would increase your water volume which would stabilize your system and you can add more live rocks for filtration.
2. IMO a protein skimmer is a must, because youll be feeding your fish often and fishes would excrete waste. Waste and uneaten food would be removed by the protein skimmer. i use macro aqua, others use queen turbo skimmer. there are other skimmers available
3. NAWASA water wont do. youll need RO/DI(revesrse osmosis/ de-ionized) water. you can buy water from refilling stations or invest on a RO/DI unit
4. Im not sure about the OHF maybe if you remove all the foam, bioballs and ceramic rings and replace them with live rock it might work. foam, bioballs and ceramic rings are not used for saltwater because they say that they becom nitrate factories in the longrun
5. Lighting is only aesthetic in a fish only setup. i think a 20000K bulb would emphasize the color of the fishes. but any light would do

Research before you buy and ask around first
Its better to buy fishes at Direct Aquatics or Marina Aquaria
Good luck

[ajeric234]

[pugo1]

1-2. You don't need a sump or skimmer if you want it simple. But you have to do regular water change at least 10% once a week, twice a week is better.

2. If you want a skimmer, you can use a hang on type if you don't have a sump.

3. Declorinate muna then filter NAWASA at least using TUPRO (this is what jolt uses) or x-green ceramic filters (art uses the ceramic candle by doulton??) better yet if you have an RO purifier. Or buy purified water.

4. Been using OHF for my 10 Gal. FOWLR without any sump or skimmer.

5. Screw type comcpat fluorescent will do. For fish color, you can use 20000k fluorescent T5 or T8 bulbs.

The key here is cycle the tank at least 6 wks. Check other threads on how.

Good luck!

[jolt26]

clarification lang. i used TUPURO for deepwell water. haven't used NAWASA ever. now, i top off with RO/DI na rin. one 5g in 2.5 days

btw, welcome

[ajeric234]

[drmikelangelo]

[audioactive08]

[ajeric234]

[drmikelangelo]

[manmarine]

[jackryan]

[Aquaz]

1. Is a Sump essential for a 20g FOWLR set-up?
a) Yes and No, as a "Sump" is mainly an area where you could house your equipments and make your maintance alot more easier.

Having a "Sump" do help too, when you are dosing additives. As it is better to dose additives into your "Sump" rather than directly into your tank.

2. Do I still need a protein skimmer? What kind of protein skimmer?
b) It would be better to have at least a protein skimmer. But since it is only 20gallon FOWLR. You could just control your feeding and do weekly water change with salt mix.

3. I have no choice but to use water coming from NAWASA. What would I do?
c) You could purchase salt mix from many brands like "Coralife" etc.

4. I have an OHF already is it sufficient for a 20g FOWLR set-up?
d) An OHF is more like a mechnical filter, where you could include wools, crabon etc. My 2cents, i would just do without the OHF and let the tank mature by itself.

5. What kind of lightning fixtures could you suggest?
e) For FOWLR you could go with either PL / PC (power compact) or T8.

Hope it helps. Above are just my 2 cents.

Sherlyne

[ajeric234]

[manmarine]