Coralline Algae and other questions

[MiniTang]

Hi guys, this is my first post and I believe I'm a future hobbyist.

I'm in the research stage right now and I've been reading books and forums like these the past month and a half. Thank goodness I'm doing research before jumping into it. I've learned a lot in the process and I know I need to learn a lot more before I start buying items and putting this bad boy together.

So here is my plan! I plan on having a FOWLR tank (around 120 gal) in the middle of my kitchen in a custom cabinet with the front half of the tank having a table coming from the base. So family and friends can sit at this breakfast island type set up and eat and look at the tank. The back of the tank will be flush to access the plumbing and feed the fish without having a table in the way. Something kind of like this picture but instead of a sink and all that it will be just an eating area. Picture aquarone0130_big.jpg

So I looked around the internet and noticed all the FOWLR tanks had the back glass filled with algae. I researched it and found out it was called Coralline Algae and that peple preferred this and loved it. This will be a problem for me because I want the tank to be see through with no background.

So my question is, can I successfully have a FOWLR tank that is see-through with completely clean glass? I heard lighting is not an issue with FOWLR tanks and lighting helps Coralline Algae grow. So I'm thinking of limiting my lighting, by not providing much lighting at all. Will this help?

Also is it possible to have a set up where you can't see plumbing since the back of the tank will be exposed? like can I put all the plumbing to one side of the tank? like in this set up http://www.fishfinatics.org/images/t...0galFOsalt.jpg ? How did this person make it look so clean? 

All your help is greatly appreciated it! I'm excited to get started but I need to know as much as possible before I get started! Everyday I get more and more confident by reading all your posts. But I feel like I'm still about 60% ready!

[Reefing Madness]

Its possible to keep the glass clear on both sides. Your not really going to keep the coralline from growing, but you can clean it off. Most just leave the back like that because it has rocks and such and coralline is a pretty color. But, yes you can clean it off.
They make Reef Ready ( RR ) tanks that are drilled for a sump, under the main tank there is a tank. That one holds all your stuff, heaters, skimmer, reutrn pump, macro algae and such. All the plumbing is under the tank. They'll also use very strong inline pumps to create flow in the tank, instead of having powerheads in there to see.

[leebca]

Addressing each of your points (if I missed any, just ask):

1. The see-thru concept is great, but it will require a lot of scraping and cleaning. It isn't just coralline algae growth, it is other algae growth, diatoms, etc., etc. that you will have to keep getting at. If the aquarium will be fully stocked, then you can expect needing to do the cleaning every 3-4 days to keep it really crystal clear. It's a matter of how much you are willing to put into it. It can become tedious. It is the one thing I dislike most about the maintenance routine. With regards to this, I would recommend a glass tank over an acryllic tank. With acryllic you will have the constant worry of scratching it and repairing scratches. Since you'll want to vigorously keep the walls clean, choose glass which will take the 'tough' scraping you'll want (and need) to do.

2. Equipment can be cleverly hidden by decorations. If you choose to use a sump, then all the major equipment can be out of sight (in the sump). You'll need to hide the inside circulation pumps and return pipes, but you can find clever ways of doing this. The overflow can be pipes, too rather than the corner setup. The corner setup is most efficient for high flows though and you can decorate the full length of those, much like you see in the second link you provided. To me the aquarium was never a piece of furniture, just a functional bit of apparatus to provide a home for my pets. But I understand the desire to make it attractive and a show-piece. It is a matter of creativity in landscaping.

3. Coraline will grow regardless of lighting. Most take so little light that you won't be very successful at controlling it by this method. That is to say, Nature finds a way. You can partially starve it to slow it down, but since you'll be removing it off of so much of the surface area, it will come back in enough spots to irritate you. Starving it isn't such a good approach, since doing this will upset the balance of the system and create other things you'll need to control and 'fight.'

I'd like to say that you are very smart in doing the planning. Too often the purchase and 'getting into the hobby' is an emotional, not-well-thought-out event. This link takes you to a list of links to posts in a couple of these forums: Table/Contents - Link List

Good luck!

[MiniTang]

Thanks guys for all your help!

I just have another question/s

I noticed some tanks have a air pumps to blow bubbles in their tanks. Why do some tanks have this and MANY do not?

Also what is the difference between a FOWLR tank and a FO tank. Is the only benefit of LR the biological filter? If so, wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to have just a FO tank? What are the limitations to just having a FO tank?

I love the livestock and thats why I'm getting into this hobby. I want the fish as pets and I love their colour and their relaxing nature! However if FO is easier then FOWLR, I might have to explore that option, especially if it is cheaper. I know that fish need hiding spots so I will put fake decorative rock if FO is the way to go. Let me know your input guys. Thanks!!!

[leebca]

I could try to list all the answers to your live rock questions but I might miss something. The details and complete answers are found in this post: What is Live Rock, Anyway?. Give that linked post a close read when you can.

A FO tank will only have the benthic creatures in it you choose to put in, including none at all. With live rock you get some benthic creatures setting up housekeeping as well as the benefits noted in the above post. In general, the benthic creatures keep the substrate moving, preventing dead spots that can lead to hydrogen sulfide pockets, and keep eating any nutrients that come their way. If you'll read the above link, you'll see that the LR provides more than just a biological filter.

Is it necessary. No. Does it make the system run easier. Yes, in my opinion. Is it more expensive. Definitely.

Have you searched for other threads concerning live rock? Some of the recent ones include:
Adding Live Rock to old aquarium
and
New Tank Live Rock Cured or Uncured?

I don't want to 'put you off' but I like to keep each thread to a single topic like your first post, or at least a similar set of topics. If you want to open up another topic, I would encourage you to start a new thread. This makes it easier for people to find threads of interest, by title, like the ones I linked above.

[Mad Mead]

I noticed some tanks have a air pumps to blow bubbles in their tanks. Why do some tanks have this and MANY do not?

There are a few reason to this. many have them for looks alone. But there are plus to have them in the tank. it adds more oxygen to the tank. it can provide water movement at the surface as well. My self having a smaller tank with little room for my powerheads its great. hope this help. good luck with your tank

[leebca]

The only two value to bubbles in the tank is esthetics and to create water movement at the surface. The bubbles don't add but a tiny bit of gas to the water. When they break at the surface, they move the surface water around where the big gas exchanges occur.

I would avoid this since it also creates unnecessary salt spray to have to keep cleaning up around the top's edges. For water-surface movement I'd prefer inside pumps.