What makes a "reef" tank?

[JS]

What is in a reef tank (living things) that is not in a FOWLR tank?

What is in a reef tank (equipment) that is not in a FOWLR tank, or vice versa

Which is more difficult to maintain? I'm assuming reef.

I hope to start a 125 gallon (with 30-50 gallon sump), if I start with a FOWLR, how hard is it to convert to a reef at a later date?

Can I buy the equipment for a reef to start even if I only have a FOWLR?

 

[reefrunner69]

What is in a reef tank (living things) that is not in a FOWLR tank?

Typically the difference is a captive reef will contain sessile intertabrates.

What is in a reef tank (equipment) that is not in a FOWLR tank, or vice versa

I have a wave maker running my powerheads in my reef, I have a fuge on my reef, the lighting on my reef is alot more than my FOWLR, other than that...the equipment, or lack there of, is the same. In some systems you would also find CA reactors on a reef or kalk reactors.

I hope to start a 125 gallon (with 30-50 gallon sump), if I start with a FOWLR, how hard is it to convert to a reef at a later date?

The main difference will be an upgrade in lighting. If good husbandry is practiced in your FOWLR, I do not believe you will find it very difficult to switch.

Can I buy the equipment for a reef to start even if I only have a FOWLR?

Absolutely.