Cameron2324
New member
So I am new to the forum I am Cameron I have just about 20 years of experience in the Hobby (mostly freshwater African/south American cichlid tanks) However about 3 years ago I got into the salt water world and have been learning a lot I started with a 14 gallon Nano that taught me a lot of hard lessons. I am currently running a 55g with a 40 gallon sump that has been up and running for about 1 year now. I don't know if I can ever go back to freshwater salt is expensive but very rewarding.
Now the reason I am making this thread I am getting ready to move from California to Michigan in April so I will have to tear down the current 55 in march. Due to space limits in the house I am moving into I cannot set up the 4ft long tank again. After talking with the wife and her understanding my love for the hobby I brought up the idea of a 54g corner aquarium. long story short I just bought a 54g corner (has built in overflow) with stand canopy 15g sump return pump and a 2 bulb 24" T5 ballast. The tank will be waiting for me when I get there but now that I have 2 months to plan out what I will be working with I have some questions before I get into those I am taking all of my equipment with me and will be transferring it to the new tank.
Aquatic life edge 36" LED light 3 channel
Wave Point 36" LED
2 24" T5 ballasts
Eshopps PSK 75 protein skimmer
550 GPH return pump
Fluval 110 canister filter
9W all in 0ne submersible US sterilizer
Aquatop MR-20 media reactor (I run chemi pure carbon in the canister so this will be runiing GFO)
2 hydor 450 GPH power heads
My first question is lighting the T5 is built into the canopy I know that the LED lights I have will not be strong enough to grow coral and I have never messed with the T-5 on a salt tank with my freshwater I changed the bulbs yearly. so with that said is the 2 24" T5s strong enough to grow some zoa's mushrooms anenome and maybe a brain coral?
Next and most important I am worried about flow I would think that with the shape of the tank I would be worried about a whirlpool effect I don't think it is worth it to sacrifice my water turnover rate but should I tone it down when the tank is set up my thought is to remove the canister filter from the tank and have it in the pull water from the sump and return it to the sump before it hits the protein skimmer.
Next would be the fish I have always loved my tangs but I don't want to stress any of my fish out in my tanks so is the foot print big enough for a yellow or purple tang to thrive possibly both? out side of that I wanted to have a mated pair of clowns a 6 line wrasse. Diamond Goby and a small school of chromis
As far as a clean up crew I was thinking 10 hermit crabs 1 turbo snail 3 peppermint shrimp and 1 cleaner shrimp the diamond goby with sift the sand for me. any thoughts on this?
To tag along on the flow question with the corner tank I am worried about dead spots in the tank should I aquascape all the way to the glass so the rock is leaning against it or should I make the rock free standing?
I really appreciate the help with these questions as this will be my second more concentrated effort at keeping coral reef tank. ( the first effort with the nano didn't go well)
I look forward to talking with everyone and helping others where I can I hope you enjoy the coming build.
Now the reason I am making this thread I am getting ready to move from California to Michigan in April so I will have to tear down the current 55 in march. Due to space limits in the house I am moving into I cannot set up the 4ft long tank again. After talking with the wife and her understanding my love for the hobby I brought up the idea of a 54g corner aquarium. long story short I just bought a 54g corner (has built in overflow) with stand canopy 15g sump return pump and a 2 bulb 24" T5 ballast. The tank will be waiting for me when I get there but now that I have 2 months to plan out what I will be working with I have some questions before I get into those I am taking all of my equipment with me and will be transferring it to the new tank.
Aquatic life edge 36" LED light 3 channel
Wave Point 36" LED
2 24" T5 ballasts
Eshopps PSK 75 protein skimmer
550 GPH return pump
Fluval 110 canister filter
9W all in 0ne submersible US sterilizer
Aquatop MR-20 media reactor (I run chemi pure carbon in the canister so this will be runiing GFO)
2 hydor 450 GPH power heads
My first question is lighting the T5 is built into the canopy I know that the LED lights I have will not be strong enough to grow coral and I have never messed with the T-5 on a salt tank with my freshwater I changed the bulbs yearly. so with that said is the 2 24" T5s strong enough to grow some zoa's mushrooms anenome and maybe a brain coral?
Next and most important I am worried about flow I would think that with the shape of the tank I would be worried about a whirlpool effect I don't think it is worth it to sacrifice my water turnover rate but should I tone it down when the tank is set up my thought is to remove the canister filter from the tank and have it in the pull water from the sump and return it to the sump before it hits the protein skimmer.
Next would be the fish I have always loved my tangs but I don't want to stress any of my fish out in my tanks so is the foot print big enough for a yellow or purple tang to thrive possibly both? out side of that I wanted to have a mated pair of clowns a 6 line wrasse. Diamond Goby and a small school of chromis
As far as a clean up crew I was thinking 10 hermit crabs 1 turbo snail 3 peppermint shrimp and 1 cleaner shrimp the diamond goby with sift the sand for me. any thoughts on this?
To tag along on the flow question with the corner tank I am worried about dead spots in the tank should I aquascape all the way to the glass so the rock is leaning against it or should I make the rock free standing?
I really appreciate the help with these questions as this will be my second more concentrated effort at keeping coral reef tank. ( the first effort with the nano didn't go well)
I look forward to talking with everyone and helping others where I can I hope you enjoy the coming build.
