When does a FOWLR become a Reef tank?

[cramsmith]

Hello,
So I was at my LFS recently, and they said that once you put in anemones etc... and corals etc... that the tank is considered a "Reef" tank. I have been looking at different sites and people with FOWLRs seem to have anemones for their clowns. So I am some what confused.

So when does a FOWLR become a Reef and what are the differences in maintanence?

Thanks

[Telco Guy]

Your LFS is correct. FO (Fish Only) is just that. Fish only. No other major creatures. I think the confusion comes from the fact that people forget that anemones are very closely related to soft corals, so when you have anemones in your tank you have gone beyond FOWLR and now have a Reef tank.

[cramsmith]

Thanks for your reply Nick it was very helpful. I am new to LR, I have been a FO for a long time and just added 8 lbs of LR to my 55 gal FO tank. I have a Sailfin tang and a Tomato Clown. The cured LR just went in two week ago.

So the tank is still stable, it has been a week since the last water change and the nitrates are ~20 ppm and the pH is ~ 8.1.

Anyway, can you or anyone from the group recommend a good book or two on keeping a FOWLR?

Thanks again.

[Telco Guy]

There are a number of good books out there. We are actually working on a "Recommended Reading" list for the site. Here are a few from that list:

Natural Reef Aquariums (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1890087009/coralforumsal-20/102-0852107-6024149?creative=125581&camp=2321&link_code=as1) by John H. Tullock, Martin A. Moe
Using live rock and live coral sand as part of a natural filtration system, the home aquarist can now mimic habitats such as a Florida Keys Lagoon, a Caribbean Turtle Grass Flat, an indo-Pacific Deep Cave, or a Red Sea Patch Reef. With more than 100 full-color photographs and illustrations, this volume provides inspiration for both beginning and expert marine reef hobbyists.

The Conscientious Marine Aquarist (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1890087025/coralforumsal-20/102-0852107-6024149?dev-t=mason-wrapper%26camp=2025%26link_code=xm2) by Robert M. Fenner, Christopher Turk
A leading advocate for the responsible collection and care of wild-caught specimens, Robert Fenner starts with the basics and proceeds to give the reader the scientific background and advanced secrets of successful marine aquarium stewardship. His pragmatic, hands-on-guide demystifies the process of planning, setting up, stocking, and managing a beautiful, thriving slice of the tropical ocean. Full-color photos throughout.

[Jimbo]

I think in a reef tank you strive to keep ideal conditions for a reef, ie. high salinity, refugium, dsb, ect. Where a f/o is geared towards supporting heavy wastes of fish.. ie. skimmer, lower end sg, wet/dry, bare bottom. ect.


thats what seperates them for me, not wether or not there is an anemone.