I apologize in advance for the possibly "TLDR" post, I've got quite a few thoughts, doubts, and ideas, and I'd like advice from those with more experience.
I've recently come into possession of a free, used 55 gallon tank/stand with misc. other items. So, what else would I do with it, other than my first attempt at a saltwater tank!
This will be my first tank, and I'm looking for any and all suggestions on both hardware and livestock. Eventually I would like to move on to corals, so I'm primarily interested in long term residents.
First off, some things won't add up, I'll explain each choice on equipment later on, I realize some things won't add up.
HARDWARE:
Heating - 100 Watt Fluval Tronic Heater
Lighting - Coralife 260 Watts, 50/50 Bulbs
Filtration - Fluval 305 Canister Filter, Seaclone 100.
Water Flow - Two Zoo Med Power Sweep 214s
Also planning on making a sump/refugium, using an Eshopps 800gph overflow and a Rio 2100 pump. I primarily want this to hide the gear, and later on to grow macro algaes to further control water quality.
The sump I plan on making like so:
http://i9.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/b2/c2/e412_1.JPG
The overflow was purchased at my LFS for cheap because of a crack in the part that held it on to the tank. It was 50% off for an easy fix. I also purchased a rio 2100 in the same store that was on sale, I felt more comfortable with around a 400gph flow after head loss than I did going for the full 800 the overflow can do. The way the owner explained it to me, the overflow won't flood the tank, it will only provide enough water to keep up with the pumps output. If this is wrong, please tell me.
The reason for the undersized heater is because it was on sale at the LFS for cheap, and the tank will be sitting in a room that is at all times sitting between 78 and 80 degrees.
The Seaclone will be either replaced or supplemented with another skimmer eventually, unless the mods shown on the DIY page here work as well as they say. I'm considering purchasing either a Turboflotor 1000, an Aqua C Urchin, or the Coralife 125/220.
The lighting may eventually be replaced by two Aqualights, as I understand it the bulbs are more suited toward growing corals I was told. That or one of the PC/MH Fixtures for sale out there. That will be done when my tank is ready for corals.
LIVESTOCK:
2 Ocellaris Clowns
2 Neon Gobies
1 Flame Dwarf Angel
1 Royal Gramma
? Yellow Tailed Blue Damsels
1 Pincushion Urchin
2 Blood Red Shrimp
? Cleaning Crew
The Clowns and the Dwarf Angel are must-haves for me. My family and I are absolutely in love with these two types of fish. Though alot of what I read say the Angel may be a problem with corals.
The Neon Gobies and Gramma are there to add color, they seem like decent choices.
I plan on using one damsel to start the nitrogen cycle, and I've read they like to be kept in groups. They look quite attractive, so I may get more of them if they prefer group over solitary life. If a group of them would overcrowd the tank and they prefer group life I may look for another way to cycle the tank.
The live rock that was given to me as well, around 40-50 lbs is my guess, came covered in a thick red slimy algae. I'm unsure if I should even use the rock. The guy who runs my LFS said, after seeing a sample of the rock in question, that an Urchin would take care of the algae without a problem. Though I'd prefer one of the ones with the longer black spines over the pincushions if they both would do an equally well job.
The shrimp were chosen for color. I realize that they are territorial, I was hoping the 48x13" tank would provide adequate space to house two.
I'm unsure of what would be needed to keep a tank this size clean. The hermits look cool, mithrax crabs cooler, and snails are "meh". I'd accept whatever recommendations are taken on this issue. The wholesaler recommendations for a 55 gallon seem a little high to me, things like 50ish crabs and 50ish snails, and sea stars/cucumbers.
I have roughly 80 lbs total of aragonite sand. I bought two new bags of seachem "oolitic aragonite" and was given around 40 lbs of caribsea aragonite sand.
As far as adding fish goes, I assume I add the one damsel right away to get things going? Or does the live rock take care of things, and I only add fish after it's finished cycling? When should I add this "cleaning crew" and the Urchin?
I've recently come into possession of a free, used 55 gallon tank/stand with misc. other items. So, what else would I do with it, other than my first attempt at a saltwater tank!
This will be my first tank, and I'm looking for any and all suggestions on both hardware and livestock. Eventually I would like to move on to corals, so I'm primarily interested in long term residents.
First off, some things won't add up, I'll explain each choice on equipment later on, I realize some things won't add up.
HARDWARE:
Heating - 100 Watt Fluval Tronic Heater
Lighting - Coralife 260 Watts, 50/50 Bulbs
Filtration - Fluval 305 Canister Filter, Seaclone 100.
Water Flow - Two Zoo Med Power Sweep 214s
Also planning on making a sump/refugium, using an Eshopps 800gph overflow and a Rio 2100 pump. I primarily want this to hide the gear, and later on to grow macro algaes to further control water quality.
The sump I plan on making like so:
http://i9.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/b2/c2/e412_1.JPG
The overflow was purchased at my LFS for cheap because of a crack in the part that held it on to the tank. It was 50% off for an easy fix. I also purchased a rio 2100 in the same store that was on sale, I felt more comfortable with around a 400gph flow after head loss than I did going for the full 800 the overflow can do. The way the owner explained it to me, the overflow won't flood the tank, it will only provide enough water to keep up with the pumps output. If this is wrong, please tell me.
The reason for the undersized heater is because it was on sale at the LFS for cheap, and the tank will be sitting in a room that is at all times sitting between 78 and 80 degrees.
The Seaclone will be either replaced or supplemented with another skimmer eventually, unless the mods shown on the DIY page here work as well as they say. I'm considering purchasing either a Turboflotor 1000, an Aqua C Urchin, or the Coralife 125/220.
The lighting may eventually be replaced by two Aqualights, as I understand it the bulbs are more suited toward growing corals I was told. That or one of the PC/MH Fixtures for sale out there. That will be done when my tank is ready for corals.
LIVESTOCK:
2 Ocellaris Clowns
2 Neon Gobies
1 Flame Dwarf Angel
1 Royal Gramma
? Yellow Tailed Blue Damsels
1 Pincushion Urchin
2 Blood Red Shrimp
? Cleaning Crew
The Clowns and the Dwarf Angel are must-haves for me. My family and I are absolutely in love with these two types of fish. Though alot of what I read say the Angel may be a problem with corals.
The Neon Gobies and Gramma are there to add color, they seem like decent choices.
I plan on using one damsel to start the nitrogen cycle, and I've read they like to be kept in groups. They look quite attractive, so I may get more of them if they prefer group over solitary life. If a group of them would overcrowd the tank and they prefer group life I may look for another way to cycle the tank.
The live rock that was given to me as well, around 40-50 lbs is my guess, came covered in a thick red slimy algae. I'm unsure if I should even use the rock. The guy who runs my LFS said, after seeing a sample of the rock in question, that an Urchin would take care of the algae without a problem. Though I'd prefer one of the ones with the longer black spines over the pincushions if they both would do an equally well job.
The shrimp were chosen for color. I realize that they are territorial, I was hoping the 48x13" tank would provide adequate space to house two.
I'm unsure of what would be needed to keep a tank this size clean. The hermits look cool, mithrax crabs cooler, and snails are "meh". I'd accept whatever recommendations are taken on this issue. The wholesaler recommendations for a 55 gallon seem a little high to me, things like 50ish crabs and 50ish snails, and sea stars/cucumbers.
I have roughly 80 lbs total of aragonite sand. I bought two new bags of seachem "oolitic aragonite" and was given around 40 lbs of caribsea aragonite sand.
As far as adding fish goes, I assume I add the one damsel right away to get things going? Or does the live rock take care of things, and I only add fish after it's finished cycling? When should I add this "cleaning crew" and the Urchin?
i know narsasius?? are really good at sandsifting =P....
