50 breeder advice

[ontheairship]

I have a bit of experience setting up and maintaining both fresh and salt water aquariums and whenever someone asks me for any advice I send them here.:wavehand:

So now I need advice of my own. I'm looking to set up a 50 breeder reef some time in the next 4-6 months. I currently have a 30 cube tank that I would like to upgrade to the 50. I already have the tank, not drilled, and sitting in my spare/guest room. I also have 2x250 watt current metal halides with 18 LEDs for it and a "Koralia style" 800 GPH powerhead that I got on Ebay for my old tank (that has since been broken down and sold). I've also got the Koralia 1 that's in my tank right now.

I really want to take my time and set this up right. The tank will go in our bedroom so the least night time noise the better. This is what I will be hopefully using as a stand because it goes with our bedroom furniture and matches the tank http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90159571

I don't have a specific filtration type and that's where I need help. I rather not drill or install a sump simply because I live in Florida where the power goes out all the time during hurricane season. I can't throw down for a generator because I live in an apartment, you understand my dilemma?

My main goal is to keep softies, LPS, an anemone for my clowns, and maybe a clam. Basically my first question is "are my lights overkill, just right, or not enough?". I plan to hang them over the tank from the ceiling. I currently have them on my 30 long frag tank and that heats up WAY too quickly on those short little legs. My next question is "what do you suggest for filtration. Basically if you were in my shoes what would you use?"

Living in an apartment I don't really have the space or tools to custom build anything nor do I want to go through that trouble.

Any and all advice and suggestions are welcome and appreciated! :thumbsup:

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Plain old live rock filtration with a HOB skimmer. For flow, and backup, a vortech mp-20 or 40 with the battery backup. That should be all you need to keep optimal flow, and have backup flow for a few days if needed.

 

[Guitarmasta37]

Have you considered canister filters? I run a Marineland Magnum 250 pro on my 30 gal and it's awesome. Just load it up with carbon, let the live rock take care of the bio filtration. And then just find a good HOB skimmer.
If you don't want to go sump, I'd definitely recommend the canister filters.

 

[ontheairship]

Have you considered canister filters? I run a Marineland Magnum 250 pro on my 30 gal and it's awesome. Just load it up with carbon, let the live rock take care of the bio filtration. And then just find a good HOB skimmer.
If you don't want to go sump, I'd definitely recommend the canister filters.

I've actually thought about canister filters. Any suggestions? I've had a fluval before and it was impossible to start. There's an Ocean Clear filter for sale close by but it seems like overkill. I can't seem to find alot of specs on it.

 

[serval]

For saltwater, I like the HOB skimmer idea better than a cannister filter, but if you want a recommendation on a good cannister, I can do that. I would say the Eheim cannisters still cannot be beat for reliability and quietness. I'm sure others have more features, but the Eheims still get my vote (I use them on planted tanks though).

 

[tmc1313]

Yes, it's good to have a skimmer, but it may be too noisy for the bedroom, unless you run it day time only.

 

[ontheairship]

I've heard good things about Eheim filters. I'll definitely keep an eye out for one.

Any thoughts on one of those HOB fuges with built in skimmers?

 

[goalieman92]

A HOB skimmer will do you fine. That's what I ran on my 50 with a random powerhead, and hob filter converted to a "refuge". Only sound was of trickling water, which imo is soothing and helped me sleep.

As for lights... That's plenty

I ran 2 175w hallides and kept sps, lps, softies, zoa's, ect, and all grew nicely.... I never had any luck with anemones though, although a person with less lighting, less filtration, and less flow, getting water from the same source kept them no problem, even split a few times. so I think you're fine on light

 

[ontheairship]

Any thought on the lights being "too much"? They heat up the room a whole lot when they're on the frag tank. I'd hate for my bedroom to get so hot. I bought these locally because they were a good deal but I've never run halides before.