Fish Only Tank

[kval1]

I have been reading quite a few post on this forum. Some very informative info. I am in the process of setting up a new tank (350 gal ), and I want to make sure I get it right the first time. I had a 125 reef tank several years back and did very well with it. However, a couple of untimely accidents (leaks), and the bossman (wife) shut me down. Well, we recently moved into to a house and the basement was all mine to refinish. Whahoooo!
So, the tank is in place with an internal overflow box and promises to the boss that this one won't leak!

Because of the size of the tank I have decided to start as a fish only tank and see how it goes. I plan to use synthetic corals and a minimal sand base. I realize the equipment must be able to handle a larger bio load with out any live rock. The current plan is to use a wet/dry dual tower (16 gal of bio balls), A canister filter (for good mechanical and some additional bio), and a protien skimmer rated for 700 us gal, a 35 watt uv, and ro/di water (including top off).

Is this adequate for a decent amount of fish load in the tank (I do not intend to overload)?
Are their other considerations I should be looking at with equipment ?
Is the only factor for lighting in this case for asthetics?
Will synthetic coral build up any bacteria colonies as I have read in some articles as they have rough finishes. Or is that a sales gimmick used by the manufacturer?

Thanks for any, and all help!

[Seige]

You should consider both your short and long term goals with the tank so you don't have to spend extra money upgrading equipment. If it'll be FOWLR now and REEF later then get what you need for reef if the cost makes it worth while.

What do you mean exactly by a "decent amount of fish"? Do you know what type of fish? It's usually best to pick your fish first then determine what you need to support them.

You could add an alarm that triggers if you get water on the floor.

[kval1]

Thanks for the reply!

I was thinking 8 - 10 fish in the 8" to 10" range at maturity. Probably Angels, Tangs, and maybe a couple Lions.

As for converting to a FOWLR or Reef. The sump I plan to use will allow for an easy convert to a refugium or allow it to be added next to it. What else should I consider? Or have plumbing ready for?

The alarm sounds like a great idea. Is there some type of product on the market directed towards the aquarium industry?

[leebca]

There are no standards for skimmer ratings. So the "700 gallon rating" means pretty much nothing. You can find how to rate a skimmer in this post: What is Water Quality

You've probably already come across this post, if not you should read it for making sure you have the equipment you'll need and sized properly for your intended system: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

[Seige]

Something like one of these although you might want to lower the volume on the alarm. 92db could harm your fish if they survive the leak/flood.

"Noah's Flood Alarm" - 3reef Forums

Our economical Flood Alarms monitor water levels and help to prevent floods

[kval1]

Thanks Lee!

I have read you excellent post on the FOWLR, but not the other. I will check that one out now!

[kval1]

Thanks Seige

[Seige]

yw

[sober_pollock]

O.K. I just want to make sure I'm not missing something here.....

I thought the original question was regarding a "Fish Only" tank, not a "Fish Only With Live Rock" tank.....

kval1: Which one are you going for?

[Seige]

Your correct. My fault for pulling the thread off topic. He did state Fish Only.

I just brought up planning for both to save cost long term because he implied that he'd be open to change. "start as a fish only tank"

[leebca]

Live rock's use comes in providing more surface for biological filtration and in addition some reduction of nitrates to nitrogen gas (thus helping to control nitrates). However, without live rock, the process is pretty much the same, so long as there is another system setup for biological filtration (which kval1 mentioned).

The part where you 'feed the live rock' is replaced by feeding the clean up crew.

[Ninong]

Will synthetic coral build up any bacteria colonies as I have read in some articles as they have rough finishes. Or is that a sales gimmick used by the manufacturer?

The synthetic corals will probably "build up" a lot of stuff, which is why those big aquarium maintenance companies that service those tanks in office lobbies and doctors' offices brag about the fact that they will "change out" the artificial corals every other week.

They usually set up a schedule where they come in either once or twice a week to clean the glass, vacuum the sand bed and monitor the equipment, etc. They usually do a water change every other week. At that same time, they remove the artificial corals and replace them with freshly cleaned artificial corals. They take the nasty artificial corals back to the shop to be soaked to remove all of the algal film and detritus buildup.

Artificial corals that are left unattended will build up a layer of algal film in no time at all.