tr0gd0r

Im thinking of getting a SW FOWLR setup. I currently just have a 20G Freshwater tank.

I was planning on getting a 29G (Dont have room in my apartment for anything bigger).
I would like your recommendations on the following:

I was planning on getting a BioWheel 200GPH, is this good enough for this size tank?

Should I go BB or Aragonite considering that BB will help keep water cleaner?

I was also planning on getting a powerhead, but am unsure what brand and GPH rating to get.

Im unsure about a protein skimmer, will it be necessary if I can do frequent water changes?

I will get around 30-40 lbs of liverock for the tank as well.

Thanks for the help!

fishrule101

Which tank are you going to change into SW 20 or 29?? If its 20 get two or three maxi powerheads. I'm not sure what the GPH needs to be. Well my 28 one is like 360 and it looks ok but not to strong. About the skimmer if you have enough LR you won't need a skimmer but its important you have one. Get one that cost 100 or more since the more expensive the better it works. The rule for LR is 1 to 1 1/2 lbs per gallon. My haves about 45lbs and its doing great. But your amount is ok but if your getting 30 add little more later on. Hopes this helps!!!

tr0gd0r

I'd be using the 29G for SW, thanks for your help.

Tumbleweed

First off welcome to Fishlore.

2nd Are you going to run a sump for your tank? If so a protein skimmer is a very good idea. do some reserch on th web and find a good protein skimmer for what size tank you have. More $ doesn't meen better skimmer. I have see good ones for $145 and bad ones for $300.

BB or Sand bed depends on what looks better to you. As long as you clean your tank, and mix up the sand a little at a time during water changes both will give you a nice and clean tank, it all just depends on what looks better to you.

If you can get about 40-50lbs of live rock in the tank you will not need a filter for the tank. The Live rock will act as a biological filtration system for your tank better then a HOB filter can.

As for power heads, since it is a FOWLR tank I would recomend 10-15Xgph flow rate of your tank ie 29gal = 290-435gph of flow in the tank. I have the Hydore Koralias in my tank and they work great. You would need the smallest one they make "Koralia Nano" they are rated at 240gph of flow. You could get 2 and put them at oppisite ends of the tank and that would work great. Here is a link to Drs Foster and Smith about them.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...5&pcatid=15955
Hoope this answers your questions.

tr0gd0r

I cannot get a sump for my system. Thanks for the link to the powerheads.