setup advice needed!

[slvlurph]

I am sure you get these questions alot, so I am sorry if this is the 10th time you have answered one like this but I could really use some help because I don't have any friends i can ask for advice on aquariums. I purchased a 55 gallon tank and stand.. I want to do a reef tank with it. If you guys could point me in the right direction I would really appreaciate it. My thoughts were that I would get the following.. am I going to cheap witht this stuff? Is there a model that you reccomend or another route i should take? I don't exactly know what kinda coral or live rock I want to put in yet. What are some types that you like?

WET DRY-
ProClear Aquatics Model 75 Wet Dry with Prefilter
http://www.petpromenade.com/Product...60000-951167432

PUMP-
Catalina Aquarium CA 2200 Aquarium Pump 850 GPH
http://www.petpromenade.com/Product...90000-952542453
OR
Quiet One Water Pump 4000
http://www.aquariumbeauty.com/displ...337&PID=Froogle
PROTEIN SKIMMER-
Coralife Super Skimmer-Needle Wheel-65 Gallon
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...lewheel65gallon
OR
Mini G Series Skimmer (ASM)
http://www.thatpetplace.com/MainPro...F49BB+0578+0023


LIGHTING-

I am cluless where to go with my lighting.. i was looking at this
Coralife Lunar Aqualight Deluxe Series-48" (4X65W) with 4- 3/4W Blue-Moon-Glow LED Lamps
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...oonglowledlamps


Sorry I know I have a million questions, your help would be greatly appreaciated. If you think im going in the wrong direction let me know, feel free to reccomend any other equipment I might need. Thank you!

 

[Anonymous]

I am sure you get these questions alot, so I am sorry if this is the 10th time you have answered one like this but I could really use some help because I don't have any friends i can ask for advice on aquariums. I purchased a 55 gallon tank and stand.. I want to do a reef tank with it. If you guys could point me in the right direction I would really appreaciate it. My thoughts were that I would get the following.. am I going to cheap witht this stuff? Is there a model that you reccomend or another route i should take? I don't exactly know what kinda coral or live rock I want to put in yet. What are some types that you like?

WET DRY-
ProClear Aquatics Model 75 Wet Dry with Prefilter
http://www.petpromenade.com/Product...60000-951167432

I would stay away from Wet Dry filters and think about doing a sump. Cheaper and more efficient IMO.

PUMP-
Catalina Aquarium CA 2200 Aquarium Pump 850 GPH
http://www.petpromenade.com/Product...90000-952542453
OR
Quiet One Water Pump 4000
http://www.aquariumbeauty.com/displ...337&PID=Froogle

For the return pump, I would suggest Mag drive pumps. Not very expensive and pushes water well. For your powerheads (flow in tank), go with Maxi Jets (they aren't expensive and last longer than rio's)

PROTEIN SKIMMER-
Coralife Super Skimmer-Needle Wheel-65 Gallon
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...lewheel65gallon
OR
Mini G Series Skimmer (ASM)
http://www.thatpetplace.com/MainPro...F49BB+0578+0023

I like ASM skimmers. That would be your better choice.

LIGHTING-

I am cluless where to go with my lighting.. i was looking at this
Coralife Lunar Aqualight Deluxe Series-48" (4X65W) with 4- 3/4W Blue-Moon-Glow LED Lamps
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...oonglowledlamps

This depends on what you plan on keeping in your tank, fish, corals (LPS, SPS, etc)

Sorry I know I have a million questions, your help would be greatly appreaciated. If you think im going in the wrong direction let me know, feel free to reccomend any other equipment I might need. Thank you!

 

[slvlurph]

Crissy thank you for your info!

1) AS for the wetdry, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a wet/dry and take out the bioballs and just use it as a sump.(Incase one day I decieded to use the balls) Do you not reccomend this? Do you reccomend a certain sump?

2)With the mag drives is there a brand that you reccomend?

3) The lighting I want to do a reef tank, not sure what type of coral I want to put in. What would go well with that light? What light would you reccomend and what type of creatures would it be best for?

 

[Anonymous]

Crissy thank you for your info!

You're welcome!

1) AS for the wetdry, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a wet/dry and take out the bioballs and just use it as a sump.(Incase one day I decieded to use the balls) Do you not reccomend this? Do you reccomend a certain sump?

Good idea taking the Bioballs out. They are incubators for detritus. I have a DIY sump, so I do not have a recommendation for a certain brand. One big enough to put your skimmer, heater, return pump. Some people put a light over it (sump/refugium) and put microalgae in it. More filtration and pod factory (some fish eat pods).

2)With the mag drives is there a brand that you reccomend?

I use UL mag pumps.

3) The lighting I want to do a reef tank, not sure what type of coral I want to put in. What would go well with that light? What light would you reccomend and what type of creatures would it be best for?

If you keep SPS (acros, millepora's, digitata's, etc), you will be better off getting Metal Hallide light (better color for corals). If you are just keeping softies and some LPS coral, your PC is fine. Fish can live in just about anything.

Just a FYI, don't overstock your tank with fish. I did and regreted it. I was told once that 1" per 7-10 gallons is average bioload. Keep that in mind. Also be patient, that is what will give you success with your reef. Don't rush the cycle of your tank, its a marathon not a race. You want everything to even out before you start stocking your tank. I crashed my system being impatient.

Good luck!! HTH[/b]

 

[Anonymous]

Mag pumps:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... y_Code=MAG

By the way, in my experience, Premium Aquatics is a much better place to buy from than "That Pet Place".. -- That Pet Place has a great location with a nice big store and all, I'll give them that, but otherwise... - Meh..

If you take the time to consider more than the bottom line ($$) in this hobby, its actually more helpful to you to buy from sources that aren't necessarily the cheapest.

Same as anything else really... - You pay for what you get... - If its bottom-dollar, SOMETHINGS gotta be missing somewhere huh?

At any rate...
:welcome:

 

[Anonymous]

SInce Crissy did not hit you with

:welcome:

As far you questions.

1. A wet dry is not needed. Any container that can hold watter will make a sump. I like to use smaller aquariums and silicone in glass baffles. If you go this route make sure the silicon is 100% silicone with no kind of anti molding chems.

Make sure you have enough free space to handle any water drainage from a power off situation.

For a skimmer I like euro-reef, but the ASM is also a god skimmer as are others. Do not skimp on a skimmer. I also like to oversize my skimmer. Not necessary, but it makes me feel better.

2. I have used mags in the past. If I were to use a submersible pump it would be the one I would choose. For a tank your size a mag9.5 would be my choise.

3. Lighting I will agree with Crissy, it depends on what you are keeping. For the most light demanding corals you should look at dual 250 watt metal halides. This would cover anything you would want to keep. If you want to do a mixed reef and do not mind being careful where you place certian types of corals you could use 175 watt MH or any of the floursents lighing. I am partial to VHO.

Good luck

 

[Anonymous]

OOPS!... :welcome:

 

[Anonymous]

GD,

I didn't get my Mag from "That Pet Place", I don't care for them either.

And I agree with Mark, I like VHO's too.

 

[slvlurph]

for a 55 gallon tank what VHO would i need?

would this be enough light?
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... SunlightT5

edit:

the metal halids are too expensive..vho seems like the route i need to take..can you guys help me find a quality VHO for my system?

 

[Anonymous]

Do you have a canapy for your system? If not, what is the width of your tank?

 

[slvlurph]

Do you have a canapy for your system? If not, what is the width of your tank?

48 x 12 i believe, and no canopy

 

[Anonymous]

Do you have a canapy for your system? If not, what is the width of your tank?

48 x 12 i believe, and no canopy

So what's on top of your tank now? Glass tops?

Retrofit is alot cheaper than a whole fixture. Especially for a 48".

Guys,
How many bulbs would be needed for a 55ga setup?

Chime in!! Thanks

 

[slvlurph]

i don't have anything on top right now, i was told it was better to leave it open

 

[Anonymous]

If it were me I would use 4 VHO bulbs. 2 ea actinic and 2 ea actinic white. I do not have experience with the T-5 bulbs. I used the icecap 660 ballast and 4ea 110 watt URI bulbs on the tank I had running with just VHO. This will not look nice on its own, you would need a canopy. Not having the glass on top is a good suggestion. It reduces the amount of light into the tank, hinders gas exchange and is one more thing you have to clean.

 

[slvlurph]

what do you guys think about this lighting fixture?

48" Nova Extreme 4x54 watt T5HO w/ 4 Lunar Lights
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...uct_Code=CU-USA01122&Category_Code=Current-T5

 

[TheJGMProject]

For the return pump, I would suggest Mag drive pumps. Not very expensive and pushes water well. For your powerheads (flow in tank), go with Maxi Jets (they aren't expensive and last longer than rio's)


Just to clarify, in regards to the MAG drive, is this the return pump from the sump?

 

[Meloco14]

You have been getting good advice. Pay close attention to what Crissy said about having patience and not overstocking. Since you are new to purchasing reef equipment, I would suggest taking a look at the sponsors link on the top of this page. It will give you a list of very reputable places to shop online. Premium Aquatics is one of them. Is your 55 drilled? Most aren't. If you are using a sump, you will need to either drill the tank and install an overflow, or use an external overflow box. I have never used an external overflow, but the impression I get is you have to be very careful with them. I would search this site for threads on the subject if this is the route you are going to take. Also heed Wazzel's advice and do not skimp on the protein skimmer. Take the time to get different opinions on different models, and buy the best that you can afford. Going oversize is not a bad idea. Many, many people buy an inferior skimmer and have problems until they upgrade a few months down the road. Might as well skip that and do it right the first time. Since this is your first tank and you aren't quite sure what kinds of corals you want yet, lighting such as vho, t-5, or PC is probably your best bet. You will be able to keep a good variety of corals with those. If you decide you want to keep more demanding species such as SPS corals you will need to upgrade to metal halides. Since you do not have a hood, it will be best for you to buy a lighting system that has its own hood. That t-5 setup you linked looks like a great choice. You will be able to keep all photosynthetic soft corals, most LPS corals, and most clams with that much light. You probably wouldnt be able to keep most SPS or crocea clams, and it could go either way with anemones. If you haven't done so already I suggest reading a book or two on reef keeping. Also check out advanced aquarist online magazine (link at top of page). They have a lot of great info as well as product reviews. HTH and good luck.

 

[trido]

For the return pump, I would suggest Mag drive pumps. Not very expensive and pushes water well. For your powerheads (flow in tank), go with Maxi Jets (they aren't expensive and last longer than rio's)


Just to clarify, in regards to the MAG drive, is this the return pump from the sump?

Yes

 

[bleedingthought]

I am sure you get these questions alot, so I am sorry if this is the 10th time you have answered one like this but I could really use some help because I don't have any friends i can ask for advice on aquariums. I purchased a 55 gallon tank and stand.. I want to do a reef tank with it. If you guys could point me in the right direction I would really appreaciate it. My thoughts were that I would get the following.. am I going to cheap witht this stuff? Is there a model that you reccomend or another route i should take? I don't exactly know what kinda coral or live rock I want to put in yet. What are some types that you like?

WET DRY-
ProClear Aquatics Model 75 Wet Dry with Prefilter
http://www.petpromenade.com/Product...60000-951167432

PUMP-
Catalina Aquarium CA 2200 Aquarium Pump 850 GPH
http://www.petpromenade.com/Product...90000-952542453
OR
Quiet One Water Pump 4000
http://www.aquariumbeauty.com/displ...337&PID=Froogle
PROTEIN SKIMMER-
Coralife Super Skimmer-Needle Wheel-65 Gallon
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...lewheel65gallon
OR
Mini G Series Skimmer (ASM)
http://www.thatpetplace.com/MainPro...F49BB+0578+0023


LIGHTING-

I am cluless where to go with my lighting.. i was looking at this
Coralife Lunar Aqualight Deluxe Series-48" (4X65W) with 4- 3/4W Blue-Moon-Glow LED Lamps
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsU...oonglowledlamps


Sorry I know I have a million questions, your help would be greatly appreaciated. If you think im going in the wrong direction let me know, feel free to reccomend any other equipment I might need. Thank you!

I agree with everyone, really. One thing though, the mini G series skimmer is small for a 55G, I would think. Look into the G1X or even the G2. (www.ASMskimmer.com is probably the best place to go to for ASM skimmers!)

Also, some suggestions. I purchased a PFO VHO ballast to fire up 4 110W bulbs for $170. http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem. ... uct=PF5117 if you want to check it out. Comes with everything besides the bulbs. I also purchased my return pump (Mag 9.5) and circulation power heads (3 Maxi-Jets 1200) along with various other things from them.

Marinedepot and PremiumAquatics are my top choices for reef supplies!!! Both of them are also RDO sponsors.

And welcome to the boards, man! It's fun here!

 

[slvlurph]

ok im gonna go with a berlin sump, t5 lighting, and an asm g1 skimmer that has a Sedra 3500 pump on it..


1) do i need another pump to power the skimmer or will the built in sedra be enough?

2) i am looking at getting a maxi jet power head, but which size would be best for a 55gallon?

3) do you reccomend any particular reverse osmosis system? looking for the cheapest most effecient possible.

4)is there any other equipment i should need to get my tank started?