SRC Member brittlestars Posted November 24, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 24, 2005 Hi, I'm planning a 4x2x2 FOWLR tank soon but preferably without the chiller to save running costs. For lighting, I'm estimating to use FL based on about 1W per gallon ratio so my tank would need about 120W. Livestock possibly includes favorites such as tangs, angels, pygmy angels, clowns, shrimps, triggers, etc. My main concern is the risk to livestock if the water temp sustains around 30 degrees C or higher for prolong periods of time. Does anyone here have any sucess in keeping a FOWLR tank without chiller for the long term (eg. 2-3 years)? Sucess in terms of livestock being healthy, feeding, etc, not necessarily spawning. Appreciate any comments/ideas thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member andylee Posted November 24, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 24, 2005 I got a 2ft FOWLR without chiller running for 1yr+ already. Livestock encountered death only due to fighting.. and seldom also. IMO, they way to maintain it cool is to on light so shorter period of time since no need for photoperiod without corals. Furthermore, bigger tank means cooler and more stable temp too Quote Project R.E. Main Tank: 48" x 18" x 24" 12mm with external overflow piping Sump Tank: 28" x 14.5" x 12" (3 compartments) Lightings: T5 HO - Hopar 3* 39w + ATI 2* 54w Skimmer: Skimz Bullet Beckett Chiller: Resun CL-650 (28 - 29 °C) Wavemakers: 2* Seio M620 + 1* Hydor K2 (7100 litre / hr) Fluidized Reactor: Skimz FR (currently empty) Pumps: 1x Rio 32HF (Skimmer), 1x Rio 20HF (Return & Chiller) Filtration: more than 80kg LRs, chaeto Water Circulation: ~ 4000 litre / hr Future Plans: additional wavemaker, DIY algae scrubber, DIY overflow box Previously: Project R : 36" x 12" x 24" 10mm reef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member somebody Posted November 24, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 24, 2005 for FOWLR i think there shouldn't be a prob without chiller.I've seen many tanks do without a chiller. yea.... you might want to add a fan, to improve ventilation, to help prevent the lights from heating up the water. think that should be enough. =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member SoTongBall Posted November 24, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 24, 2005 I've a 6ft FOWLR set up for abt 4 yrs without chiller. The water temp is kept contantly below 30 deg with 4 AC fans controlled by a Fox heat controller. My fishes are ok in this simple set up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member brittlestars Posted November 24, 2005 Author SRC Member Share Posted November 24, 2005 I've a 6ft FOWLR set up for abt 4 yrs without chiller. The water temp is kept contantly below 30 deg with 4 AC fans controlled by a Fox heat controller. My fishes are ok in this simple set up Wow, impressive! I feel better assured now. Thanks SoTongBall! Care to describe more about this Fox heat controller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member brittlestars Posted November 24, 2005 Author SRC Member Share Posted November 24, 2005 Thanks andylee and somebody for your ideas! Will factor them in during my tank-planning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member SoTongBall Posted November 24, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 24, 2005 this heat controller came with a temperature probe. It will display the water temp on the LCD. User can preset at what temp to turn on or turn off the electrical circuit that you want to control. User can also preset the temp delta. Do use a relay if the controlled load is drawing high amp. Click on the link to find out more Fox controller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick77 Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 I've a 6ft FOWLR set up for abt 4 yrs without chiller. The water temp is kept contantly below 30 deg with 4 AC fans controlled by a Fox heat controller. My fishes are ok in this simple set up How abt water top up for a system running on fan and yrs is so big... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member SoTongBall Posted November 27, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 27, 2005 ya, quite a lot to top up, hot weather even worst. Abt 2-3L aday for my tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelfly Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Mine no problem without chiller for a year and a half. Fishes have grown big and healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member somebody Posted November 29, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 29, 2005 hot weather only 2-3 litres for such a big tank?? my fan is on when my lights are on, which is from 1pm to 11pm. 2ft tank with sump. i lose about 2.5litres a day lehz... what temperature did you set your fox controller at? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick77 Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 Yup, last time my 2 feet w/o sump also have to top more than 1.5L water bottle still not enuf leh... How come 6 ft only 2plus liters??? Sorry, not distrusting yr msg, jus a little surprised... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAV-65 Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Bro, if its a true FOWLR, meaning no corals at all, u dun need a chiller, in fact, the fish dun catch diseases like ich in water temps of 30-33... Quote People do not plan to fail; Often they just fail to plan... Wat I do to prevent myself from tearing my hair out... My stress remedy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member Earth Posted November 30, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 30, 2005 Hi I am into a 3.5ft FOWLR for more than 6 months without chiller and so far fishes are doing well. Temp ranges from 30 -33 degress. Was running a fan for 1 month previously and temp can drop to 29 degrees but gave up shortly due to rapid evaporation and also noise... 1 day can top up more than 1.5 litres of water with the fan... IMO, it can work without chiller, but i guess u have to take care of your water quality.. Quote 4x1.5x2.3 home tank 6x2x2.3 office tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member SoTongBall Posted November 30, 2005 SRC Member Share Posted November 30, 2005 I guess there are couple of reasons for my tank require low water top up. Generally, the heat load for my tank is low, I specifically bought low power consumption pump and wave maker. As for lighting, I'm still using FL, lower heat load. My house is very well ventilated with full height windows. The temp was set at 29.5 with 0.2 delta. The 4 fans is able to pull down 0.2 deg within 20 mins or even shorter during cooler weather. I'm sure if the fans are running 24hrs, alot of water will be evaporated. I top up 1 small bucket of water in the morning & 1 at night, thats it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRC Member brittlestars Posted November 30, 2005 Author SRC Member Share Posted November 30, 2005 Bro, if its a true FOWLR, meaning no corals at all, u dun need a chiller, in fact, the fish dun catch diseases like ich in water temps of 30-33... Thanks RAV-65 and ALL! Now I feel better and more confident about going chiller-less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekky_erian Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 Bro, if its a true FOWLR, meaning no corals at all, u dun need a chiller, in fact, the fish dun catch diseases like ich in water temps of 30-33... it's true i've regal tang got ich from LFS, just keep it on warm temp (30-33) for a couple days... dun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
illusionist Posted December 5, 2005 Share Posted December 5, 2005 heh really glad for this thread...probably getting a tank soon and if do it'll be a FOWLR =) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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