90 FOWLR setup questions

[Scales77]

Hi,
I am setting up a 90 gal FOWLR w/ 29 gal sump/fuge and am going to stock it w/ a Picaso Trigger, SFE, and flame hawkfish and I have a few questions.
1) What type and size pump is best for the return
2) Whats a good protein skimmer
3) What kind of overflow should I get
4) How often and how much water should I change
5) What salt to use
6) Whats a good place to order live rock

Thanks-

[Jerry W]

Check out LifeReef for a good hang on overflow. The return pump will depend on how much flow you want. I like mag drives and use a mag 7 on my 120, in addition to some auxillliary powerheads.
Are you looking for an in-sump skimmer? The brand/model may depend on the room available in your sump, as well as your budget. High end skimmers include Deltec, Euroreef, ASM.
Mid line; Coralife Super Skimmer, AquaMedic turbofloater, to name a couple.
Salt; I've always used Instant Ocean. 9 years and no problems on my FOWLR.
Water changes, IMO, should be done religiously, particularly in FOWLR systems that house aggressive, messy fish. 20% every two weeks is not too much. You'll develop your own system after awhile. Maintain good flow to keep waste suspended for the filtration to pick up. How much LR are you planning?

[Scales77]

Hi Jerry,
Wow, that was fast I only posted 2 min. ago. Do you know who sells lifereef overflows, Marine Depot and That fish place don't sell them. I am looking for an in sump skimmer. Which is better the coarlife or aquamedic turbofloater skimmer. How much flow do I need, would the mag 7 without other power heads be good for my 90 or too powerful? Someone told me to use Tropic Marin salt because of no phosphates but it's more $ I was wondering if it was worth it. Would 20% water change a week be too much? I am planning on using 45lbs of live rock and 45lbs of base rock and a 20lb bag of live sand to lightly cover the bottom.

[Jerry W]

The coralife is getting favorable press. With a light bioload, it should work out for you. There's no hard fast rule for flow, but shoot for about a turnover of 10 x your water volume per hour (900 gallons), with more being better. I'd have a couple powerheads simply for surface agitation and gas exchange.
Again, with water changes, you'll get into your own routine. 20% a week might be a bit over the top. Gauge the freqency/amount by your water parameters. Predatory fish tanks tend to see higher concentrations of nitrates, and given your limitations of a clean up crew, you'll need to supplement waste removal. Never used tropic marine salt so can't comment. Your rock and sand amounts are respectable. The eel will appreciate sand, and will hide most of the time under the rocks.

[Maryswaterworld]

In our 90 fowlr we are using a mag 12 and a sump with built in skimmer. Just like a wet/dry system( I think that is what they call it). Thinking about adding a powerhead for more ciculation, but the picasso loves the current how it is so I am not sure yet.

[Confooseld]

4ft tanks are to small for picasso's for life IMO.

[Scales77]

Does anyone know who sells lifereef overflows, the Marine depot and That Fish Place don't have them. Also whats a good brand for test kits and does anyone know a good place for live rock? Lastly I have a 3ft Power compact light what type of bulbs should I use?

[SMS76]

This is what i have:

(1) What type and size pump is best for the return
-> Mag 9 submersible (It might add little heat)
2) Whats a good protein skimmer
-> Euro Reef CS 6-1
3) What kind of overflow should I get
-> My tank is drilled and may be you should look into it. Overflow if not mainitained properly can overflow/leak/loose siphoining etc..
4) How often and how much water should I change
-> I try to change every other week
5) What salt to use
-> I use IO
6) Whats a good place to order live rock
-> I would suggest getting only 25% live rock and then get remaining 75% as base/dry/dead rock. This way you will save lots of money and your live rock will seed dead rock in couple months and turn them in to the live rock. I would say get live rock locally that you can handpick and order dry/base rock cheap online.

Also please look in to the refugium setup if you haven't already. I have a 29 gallon tank as sump/refugium. YOu can baffle your 29 G tank and add one compartment for refugium. This way you can put macro algae over there and you will have no to minimum algae in your tank. I way overfeed sometimes my tank and my protein skimmer and macro algae keeps the water clean and i don't have any algae in my tank.
Good Luck