Noob attempting to start a 90g SW.

[kwill]

Hello all. I very new to this hobby. I am attempting to start a 90g FOWLR and hopefully progress to corals and anemones and such. I'm wanting to know if a mag 18 would be too much for a return pump, and if a 120g skimmer would be too small, in addition to any mistakes that any of you may have made that hopefully i can learn from. Basically any advice will be greatly appreciated.

:confused2:

 

[dakota9]

The Skimmer will be fine for a FOWLR tank, some would argue the need for a skimmer at all.

The Mag 18 is a bit of an overkill, but to each their own.

Good Luck!

 

[kwill]

Thanks Dakota. How about mag 9?

 

[dakota9]

Mag 9 will be better suited, imho, for a 90g

Some folks think "more is better", but a slower return pump is actually more beneficial.

 

[smallblock]

well if you are going to eventually run a manifold off the tank then a mag 18 might be ok

Edit: if no manifold or if its not going to run much else a mag 9 would be perfect

 

[frantz]

No real added bonus to manifolding too much unless this tank will evolve to coral... just a higher energy bill. Of course if you can find the equiptment at a good price used then you will be ahead of the game. This hobby expands rapidly in your home and walet and it's worth it!

 

[kwill]

Thank you all. I am already seeing this is going to be exspensive in addition to challenging. However I do hope to progress to corals in the upcoming year(s).

 

[linda lee]

Dakota9;686384 wrote: The Skimmer will be fine for a FOWLR tank, some would argue the need for a skimmer at all.

The Mag 18 is a bit of an overkill, but to each their own.

Good Luck!

Gotta agree. Remember, the bigger the pump, the more heat output. But then again, you may not be having a lot of heat from lights in a FOWLR since your par requirement is not as critical as with corals.

 

[frantz]

It can be expensive, but if you buy used equiptment you are not only saving yourself money (if it works as advertised) but you are helping another memeber out. I hope you enjoy!