FOWLR ( Fish only with live rock )
A FOWLR setup is common to beginner saltwater hobbyist. A FOWLR setup is still a saltwater setup and will need lots of maintenance. These aquariums cannot be setup until the aquarium has begun its cycle.
Cycling your tank
Patience will be key when starting up these aquariums. The biggest mistake is to rush into it and put everything in your tank at once. This will most likely cause your fish to die. Cycling is a necessity for saltwater aquariums. The process works by adding only your substrate and live rocks into the tank. Let your tank system run for at least two weeks. The reason is that your tank needs to be able to obtain all the necessary bacteria which help decompose waste in your aquarium. Bacteria along with weekly water changes will help you maintain the essential water parameters. There are many ways to cycle your tank, choose one that best suits you.
The first method is called the "fish-less cycle". The first step is to add live rock and your choice of substrate. These will help the bacteria cultivate and in your aquarium. Instead of risking fish's lives to help your tank cycle, you can directly add ammonia. This ammonia that your adding can be found at almost any LFS. On top of all that, you can purchase the necessary bacteria from your LFS, to help your tank cycle.
The next cycle is the fish cycle. This cycle isn't recommended for one main reason. The reason is that beginners and experts in the hobby lack patience. Patience is so important for this method because if you let your excitement get the best of you, you will kill your fish. If you choose to do this method, add live rock and substrate. The next step is to wait at least a month, before adding one fish. By adding the fish it helps supply a little more ammonia for your tank to cycle. A twist to this method is that instead of adding fish, you can slowly add hermit crabs.
One method to speed up the cycle of your tank is to buy fully cured rock and substrate together. It's a good idea to ask your LFS how long the fully cured rock has been in water before buying it. By adding fully cured rock, you have the option of adding a fish right away to bring up the bioload on the tank.
A second jumpstart method is to take substrate and or filter products from a healthy tank that has been running for a while. The important thing is to make sure the equipment your getting comes from a healthy tank. By adding other tanks apparatuses, their is a big chance that you can add bacteria that is harmful to your tank. The last method you can use is by buying the beneficial bacteria from your LFS.
In order to fully understand why cycling is important you must understand how the nitrogen cycle works. Ammonia is a toxin that must be monitored. It is in your aquarium for many reasons, but the main reason is fish waste. Their are two types of bacteria. The first bacteria is called nitrosomonas. This bacteria will convert the ammonia to nitrite, which is also toxic to the fish. The cycling process helps you build a balanced ecosystem, and by doing so you will have another type of bacteria that will help your aquarium. This bacteria is called Nitrospira. Nitrospira converts nitrite into nitrate. Nitrate isn't good for the fish, but they can tolerate nitrate more then nitrite. Overall its important to keep the levels of the ammonia,nitrate, and nitrite and this can be done by frequent water changes, good filtering system, and cycling your tank!
The first method is called the "fish-less cycle". The first step is to add live rock and your choice of substrate. These will help the bacteria cultivate and in your aquarium. Instead of risking fish's lives to help your tank cycle, you can directly add ammonia. This ammonia that your adding can be found at almost any LFS. On top of all that, you can purchase the necessary bacteria from your LFS, to help your tank cycle.
The next cycle is the fish cycle. This cycle isn't recommended for one main reason. The reason is that beginners and experts in the hobby lack patience. Patience is so important for this method because if you let your excitement get the best of you, you will kill your fish. If you choose to do this method, add live rock and substrate. The next step is to wait at least a month, before adding one fish. By adding the fish it helps supply a little more ammonia for your tank to cycle. A twist to this method is that instead of adding fish, you can slowly add hermit crabs.
One method to speed up the cycle of your tank is to buy fully cured rock and substrate together. It's a good idea to ask your LFS how long the fully cured rock has been in water before buying it. By adding fully cured rock, you have the option of adding a fish right away to bring up the bioload on the tank.
A second jumpstart method is to take substrate and or filter products from a healthy tank that has been running for a while. The important thing is to make sure the equipment your getting comes from a healthy tank. By adding other tanks apparatuses, their is a big chance that you can add bacteria that is harmful to your tank. The last method you can use is by buying the beneficial bacteria from your LFS.
In order to fully understand why cycling is important you must understand how the nitrogen cycle works. Ammonia is a toxin that must be monitored. It is in your aquarium for many reasons, but the main reason is fish waste. Their are two types of bacteria. The first bacteria is called nitrosomonas. This bacteria will convert the ammonia to nitrite, which is also toxic to the fish. The cycling process helps you build a balanced ecosystem, and by doing so you will have another type of bacteria that will help your aquarium. This bacteria is called Nitrospira. Nitrospira converts nitrite into nitrate. Nitrate isn't good for the fish, but they can tolerate nitrate more then nitrite. Overall its important to keep the levels of the ammonia,nitrate, and nitrite and this can be done by frequent water changes, good filtering system, and cycling your tank!
Equipment
FOWLR tanks dont need as much equipment as a reef setup, but all the equipment will still get pricey. Before buying equipment, you need to think about your tank size. Keep in mind that the bigger the tank you buy, the easier for your fish to survive. Also, make sure you find a suitable stand for your aquarium, and stay away from windows because they will allow extra light into your tank. The sunlight from outside will increase algae growth making it harder for you to keep your water parameters. The tank should be shallow and long because saltwater fish swim side to side, not up and down.
Filtration and Substrate
The first type of filtration that is necessary for a FOWLR tank is a biological filter. Their are many different biological filters. You can choose to buy a separate biological filter, or your live rock and substrate can act as a biological filter. If you choose live rock and substrate to be your biological filter, make sure you cycle your filter before adding them. If you do not cycle your tank before buying them, then you must purchase cured rock. The general rule for live rock is 2 lb per gallon, but you are not limited to doing this. For a FOWLR setup, it is more common to see live rock as a biological filter, then a canister.
The next recommended type of biological filtration is substrate. Your substrate will help add the necessary bacteria that your tank needs to break down ammonia. There are many to choose from, and each serves a different purpose. The general rule for a substrate is no more than 1". Keep in mind that certain fish require different amounts and types of substrates.
The second type of filtration is the mechanical filtration. The main purpose for this is to pick up all the visible waist or matter in your aquarium. This adds that extra clean look to the water, and also helps you maintain the necessary water parameters. Their are many different types of mechanical filters, and when choosing one make sure it's suitable for the size of your aquarium.
The next recommended type of biological filtration is substrate. Your substrate will help add the necessary bacteria that your tank needs to break down ammonia. There are many to choose from, and each serves a different purpose. The general rule for a substrate is no more than 1". Keep in mind that certain fish require different amounts and types of substrates.
The second type of filtration is the mechanical filtration. The main purpose for this is to pick up all the visible waist or matter in your aquarium. This adds that extra clean look to the water, and also helps you maintain the necessary water parameters. Their are many different types of mechanical filters, and when choosing one make sure it's suitable for the size of your aquarium.
Lighting
A big myth is that you need superior lighting for a FOWLR setup. Lighting is necessary, but don't worry if their not the best lights out their. Lighting for FOWLR setups are mainly for showing off your fish's color. Standard lights for these tanks are fluorescent lights.
Thermometer and Heater
An important part of the FOWLR setup is the temperature. Without a heater, your fish would die. The necessary temperature of the tank depends on what type of fish you have in it. Certain fish come from a deeper part of the ocean, so the temperature would be lower than one that lives close the surface.Make sure to check your thermometer every day or so to make sure your heater is properly working. So do your research and find the ideal temperature, and make sure you maintain that temperature for the success and happiness of your fish.
Protein Skimmer
A big debate is whether or not you need a protein skimmer for a FOWLR setup. The answer is no. Protein skimmers are necessary for reef tanks, but not FOWLR. While many sites recommend it, I have had much success with FOWLR tanks without protein skimmers. The protein skimmer can help you maintain your water parameters, but with water changes,live rock, and substrate your water parameters can easily be managed.
Water Testing equipment
It is highly recommended to buy a water testing kit. These are sold at almost every LFS. Many fish stores will urge you to get them tested for free, but if you ever plan on creating a reef tank its a good idea to start now. The Ph, Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite are the most important. There are products sold at fish stores to help maintain these if they spike, but those will only help temporarily. There are many factors that can cause these levels to rise. One main example is overfeeding. This will cause your ammonia level to rise. If any of these occur, check your filters to make sure they are running ok, and also do frequent water changes. This will help your tank cycle in new water and hopefully get your water parameters back on track. If this doesn't help a common mistake is overstocking your fish tank. This means that you have too many fish for the size of your aquarium. If you are unsure, ASK! It is so important in this hobby to ask questions so you can learn. Lastly, keep a journal of all your water tests. This will help you get an overview of how your parameters are doing.
Making Saltwater and Measuring it
It's obvious that your going to need saltwater for a saltwater tank. You have two options to obtain it. You can DIY (Do it yourself), or you can buy pre-made saltwater from most LFS. Most fish stores will charge you an up front fee of a bucket, then charge a constant price for the saltwater. If you decide you want to create your own saltwater, then you need to buy synthetic salt and water. It's important to make sure your water has gone through Reverse Osmosis or De-ionization (RO/DI). When making your own saltwater, obtain any type of container that can hold 5-10% of the volume of the tank that your going to add it to. Read the directions on the synthetic sold to add the proper amount of salt per gallon. The ideal salinity of the tank is 1.020 to 1.026, but will fluctuate depending on the fish you have in your tank. A device that is used to measure this is a refractometer.