55 Gallon reef setup

[Justin1989]

For the past 3-4 weeks i have been slowly setting up my 55 gallon tank. I have a 45 gallon trashcan on my closet used to mix the saltwater. Was heated to 78 degrees, mixed with a salinity of 1.024. Had a Koralia 1 in there to keep it moving. Used a Hydor L40 to move the water from the trashcan into the tank. I have a 2-3" layer of live sand (not so sure how live it is at the moment, considering the tank has been filled and running for around 1-2 weeks with nothing in it except the water and sand). I have a coralife super skimmer, which seems to do a nice job, however until i get some life stock I won't truly know. I have setup a closed loop using the Hydor L40, taking water from the left side of the tank to the right. I would only assume this is running anywhere from 300-500GPH, estimating around 425. I am also using the Koralia 1 in the tank, which is rate at 400gph. The skimmer is supposed to run at 325GPH (would assume completely open valves) So I am estimating it running at around 250gph. This comes down having a turnover rate of right around 20. Would this suffice? or should I put in another Koralia power head?

Unfortunately there is no room under this tank for a sump, unless I have custom made. I might do this at a later time. As I said I have 44lbs of LR being shipped to my house using next day shipping, and as there this is a new tank still I will be adding it directly into the tank unless some one suggests against this? I have planned on of course cleaning each piece gently in a 5gallon bucket. I will be getting more, but I have put out around $600 in 1 week for lights and the LR lol.

The light I have ordered is a Nova Extreme Pro 48" which has 3 10,000K lights, and 3 460nm actinics. All of them being 54Watts. Using these lights, would I be restricted on any corals? I have not done to much research on corals, as since I won't be adding them any time soon.

My final question is using a phosphate reactor. I have looked around and see people using them to reduce nitrates, using carbon, and multiple different things. Is this basically just added chemical filtration? If so would anyone suggest it for a Reef aquarium? Also with these I noticed a lot of them having a 1/2" valves, so would reducing 1" to 1/2" and back to 1" be ok? If so would this reduce the water flow?

I think that is most of my questions Thank you for your time, and any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[EDIT]

Might look into a Hang on external refugium, this is again only at a later time and if not getting the sump.

 

[PRDubois]

You probally have enought flow, but time will tell. If you go with another Koralia, go with a 2 or 3.

Since the tank is still going thru its cycle, addthe rock to the tank is ok. Hopefully rock will come in with little die off. Cleaning it is good idea.

Do you have a good skimmer? The Octopus 800 is a good HOB skimmer.

The light you have should let you have any corals you want.

 

[Justin1989]

Thank you for the reply. I must be looking at the wrong octopus skimmers, because those are anywhere from $500 and up, and for a skimmer imp a little pricey. I haven't heard bad reviews about the coralife I have, however I haven't come across many views at all.

Anyone on the phosphate reactors?

 

[Justin1989]

Don't like bumping threads however another question.

Realizing a clean up crew is kinda useless without detritus or algae, I will be adding a fish first and slowly building up my clean up crew. I will give a list of the fish i am looking at, and am wanting to know which fish you would suggest adding first. I also would like to know which inverts to add for the CUC at first, and slowly what to build up.

Fish wish list

Flame Angelfish or Coral Beauty (I see these are not necessarily reef compatible, any help with these would be nice. Also reading they should be one of the last fish introduce)

Sailfin Algae Blenny (Quite interested in these, dunno why? Any blenny is honestly ok with me. Again anyone with experience with blennies of different sorts would be wonderful )

Saddleback Butterfly fish ( I also see these are iffy on reef compatibility)

Cardinals (tank bred)

Dusky jawfish

Ocellaris Clownfish (tank bred, also told these should be added near last, pair; these are almost a must due to me wanting to have a sort of anemone)

Firefish

Green/Spotted Mandarin (I have looked over some threads here seeing they require a mature tank; so of course near the end)

Sleeper banded goby

Six line Wrasse

I do not plan to get all of these fish, however these are fish i would not mind having. Looking on opinions, before I go and by one or two.

 

[jenjen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14823588#post14823588 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justin1989
I haven't heard bad reviews about the coralife I have, however I haven't come across many views at all.

Which Coralife do you have? I have one on my 90gal and find that after a LOT of fiddling to get it working consistently, it works 'ok'. You definitely want one that's way over-sized for your tank, because they'll definitely pull less than other skimmers. The consistency of the water level for these skimmers seems to be VERY important as well.

If you don't have a sump, are you running the skimmer HOB? Just a word of caution that mine overflowed consistently until I sorted out a steady water level for it to draw from.

 

[Justin1989]

Unfortunately it is only rate for 60gallong. Looks like this will be an upgrade real soon. it is HOB; havent had a problem with it over flowing; I have caught it a few times getting close to that point of where it would bein to fill up. I have toyed with it a bit, but don't expect to get to much out of it untill I add the LR and Live stock.

 

[PRDubois]

Octopus Hang-On 800S w/ Sicce pump [444] $239.99

Item #: OCT-BH-800S

Protein skimmers are applied to most saltwater aquariums to remove certain organic
compounds, including proteins and amino acids, by using the polarity of the protein itself,
from the water to stop most of them decomposing into nitrogenous waste. Because of the
intrinsic charge, water-borne proteins are attracted to the air-water interface. Protein
skimmers work by infecting numerous tiny bubbles into the water chamber, which present
an enormous air-water interface for the protein molecules to cling to. The more tiny bubbles
reside in the chamber, the more proteins it absorbs


http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/Prote...-Hang-On-800S-w/-Sicce-pump/product_info.html

 

[Justin1989]

Wish i would of known this when I first bought my skimmer. Would of gladly spent the extra money for a skimmer of that sort which has been recommended. Oh well not to long and I can get it :lol:

 

[1602reefer]

I don't think you have enough flow with one koralia 1, I have a 55 and i am running 2 koralia 3's and have just enough flow so I'm not blowing everything around but I still have some dead spots that collect diatoms and I have to clean them out. And i also have a bakpak 2 skimmer which works fine but I would rather have put extra money into something better and it really only provides some flow across the surface. I would suggest getting another koralia 4 if you don't want to go out and spend money for two koralia 3's. You don't really need anymore light thats enough for lps and sps. And i don't think you really need a phosphate reactor unless you are using tap water, and most of your nitrates will be taken care of by your live rock even tough I would suggest getting more than 44lbs. I have 60+lbs and I still wish i had more structure( check out my 55 in my gallery, The pics suck cause I had a minor bac bloom) Hope this helps. If you need an algae eater get a Scopas Tang.

 

[1602reefer]

Oh and all my levels are at zero.

 

[mounts327]

I have 2 korallia 3's in my 55 and I think it provides adequate flow, but I also think more wouldn't hurt my system.

That fish list is too big for a 55 IMO. I would scratch the butterfly as they can be hard to deal with. As far as angels go, everyone is different from the others - ome nip at corals, some don't. The blenny, clowns, jawfish, firefish and goby would be fine as long as you add them gradually. You will need a fuge for a mandarin in a 55 and have to wait about a year imo. Also the 6 line will out compete the mandarin for food, so you should choose one or the other. Also a word of advice, don't get a tang. I know everyone says this, but they really won't be happy in a 55 and they s*** way too much. 1 tang could be equal to 2 or 3 other fish as far as your bio-load goes. If you need an algae eater, there are other options.

I don't have that model octo skimmer, but I do have an octo and am pleased with it.

You stated you can't have a sump because of your stand, well what about building yourself a new stand? I built mine, and it really isn't hard. PM me if you would like some guidance/suggestions. It really is only a matter of time until you want a sump.

How much LR do you have? I have 65 lbs between my DT and fuge and I feel that I have an adequate amount.

 

[1602reefer]

I have two tangs, A scopas, a yellow mimic, two clowns,and a bicolor blenny. I have no more hair algae and my parameters for the big three are all zero. As long as you keep up on water changes you should be fine. I do 10 gallons every monday. My tangs both seem perfectly happy as long as I keep them fed with vegetation and mysis, but to each his own. I have heard lawnmower blenny's work really well too.

 

[macronut]

yes, let the tank major before you get a mandarin, but I see you have a sixline wrasse on your fish list. The sixline will your critters you want for the mandarin. I would suggest forgoing the mandarin eventhough they cool fish.

 

[Justin1989]

Honestly the sixline is just another fish I could of chosen. I will toss this fish out seeing as the mandarin seems like a much neater fish. I am thinking about setting up a hang on fuge for the back of the tank. Any issues with this? I also planned on adding this fish last, due to most advising a year before adding one. I might end up building a bigger stand, will all depend. I also did not consider tangs considering I know they are very active. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVE the tangs however yea again I don't wanna stress fish at all.

I will attempt the coral beauty, if I have any issues I will take him back or give him away.

All the fish would be added gradually, I know better then to add them all at once.

Live rock and lights are put in/ hooked up; VERY BRIGHT.

I also have no issue upgrading the koralia's for bigger ones. I am thinking about 2 3's instead of a 4. 4 honestly seems like a lot.

More LR will be added. I am thinking about ordering a guys LR (fully encrusted, overnight shipping for the same basic shipping at I believe $8 lb. Seems to be very nice rock, however very expensive compared to what I paid for my current 44 lbs.

 

[tipmoff]

I have a 5 month old 52 Gal tall and I just started adding corals. I would add another powerhead as suggested by others for flow. I use a AquaC Remora HOB and it works fine. One weird MOD on the skimmer is to take folded up paper napkin or towel and place it over the water inlet in the skimmer. It cuts down the air noise 95%. I have a Coral Beauty in with my LPS and SPS and he doesn;t bother them at all. I make sure he is feed with algae which he is constantly picking from my powerheads and tank sides.
I started with some Green Chromis after one month of cycle and they are still going strong. Typically you get 3 or 4 as they ike to hang out in groups and they are inexpensive. I'm looking forward to some pics you post to follow along.

 

[Justin1989]

I will do. I will get out the camera tonight and take some pictures to post. Like I said the lights are very bright; it is quite amazing. I need to buy one more timer, I will be on my way to the pet store and buy a Koralia 4, maybe 2 3's I'm not sure yet. Probably 2 3's. I like to look around lol.

 

[Justin1989]

I added a koralia 4 in the tank, kinda worried as if it would be to much? I don't really know if there is a to much for water flow lol. definitely got the water moving compared to the Koralia 1.

Also is the freshwater API kit for ammonia nitrites and nitrates the same as saltwater tests? just wondering before I buy a new one

 

[tipmoff]

In regards to flow as long as it doesn't create a sand strom and the fish aren't pinned up against the tank you should be fine. I have a Koralia 4 in my 52 tall and it's doing ok. I am going to add a #2 on the other side.

 

[Justin1989]

I don't think its enough to pin them against the glass lol. I had to put on the little adapter they give you in order to direct the flow. I also have the koralia 1 in the back pushing the opposite way.

Anyone know anything as far as the test kits go?

 

[mounts327]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14839367#post14839367 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justin1989
I don't think its enough to pin them against the glass lol. I had to put on the little adapter they give you in order to direct the flow. I also have the koralia 1 in the back pushing the opposite way.

Anyone know anything as far as the test kits go?

Good luck with the adapters, i've never been able to get them to stay on lol. I would say that as long as you have good surface agitation and there does not appear to be any dead areas in the tank then you are golden. Also watch out for 'oil slicks' on the surface. This indicates a dead area where there isn't proper flow. It's just a matter of positioning your powerheads.

I prefer salifert test kits.