Looking for opinions

[MzWeazelle]

We are planning to change from a 140 reef to two larger tanks - probably a 180 reef and 220 fowlr - because there are just so many fish we'd like to have that absolutely will not go in the reef tank.

Since my motto has always been "bigger is better" when it comes to water stability, our plan is to plumb both tanks into a single large sump essentially making it one large system probably somewhere around 500 gallons total. We are not into SPS corals (although I do have a small frag that seems to be quite happy in my mixed reef tank) so SPS quality water is not what we are aiming at.

I'm sure there are plenty of pros & cons to this idea. Let me hear them! :idea:

 

[NaH2O]

One thing to consider when plumbing a FOWLR and a REEF tank together, if you would want to treat the fish only tank with anything containing copper, you couldn't do it without it mixing into the reef tank.

 

[MzWeazelle]

Thanks Nikki.

Yeah, one of the biggest drawbacks I can think of is having to treat the whole system as a reef. Haven't had a fish only, but I assume there are probably fewer additives to worry about if you aren't dealing with corals. Never have be able to settle for the cheaper alternative. lol

I already figured we better be prepared to have a hospital tank just in case it was necessary to use medications that the reef wouldn't tolerate.

Anyone with any other thoughts - for or against?

 

[mojoreef]

JanMarie I would look at trying to seperate them. that way if you had a problem with the fo tank you could treat it with out worring about the reef, that and you wouldnt have to worry about having to dose cal and alk to the larger system.

Mike

 

[jazznreef]

second that... you can have a much simpler fo system so you dont need to duplicate all the goodies for the reef. i think the long term costs of having two separate systems would be cheaper than one integrated on\e.

 

[NeilsReef]

3rd that!

 

[acropora]

Aside from intense lighting;if you run your FO tank similar to a Reef,there is less chance of ever having sick fish. I have never had one single sick fish in a reef tank set up where water qualitry is kept at optimum conditions. I do agree that it is better to not have the systems tied in together.The added waste from the FO tank can cause algae problems in the more intense lighting of your reef system. You will use less intense lighting in your FO tank,but good L.R. and excellent protein skimming and maintaining Alk/Calcium levels will ensure healthy fish.The calcium/Alk levels will be easy to maintain since there is no large demand in a FO system.