55g tank startup - college project Q1

[ben&bobbi]

OK, hopefully you have read my original post, but this is for a college project where we are setting up how to maintain a saltwater aquarium.

We have a 55g predrilled tank, basic tank, nothing fancy. We believe we need to start out with fish only and i recommend live rock. After all, this is a beginners tank.

Question 1
What equipment do we need?

 

[chrisstie]

Startup bare bones tank - you have it predrilled so I'm going to assume that implies you're wanting a sump with it, otherwise you'll need to plug the holes.

You'll need a stand for the tank, and a sump to go underneath and the plumbing to connect the two. You'll also need a pump to circulate the water back into the tank from the sump.

If you're just going to plug the holes ignore that bit.

Needs: Salt mix, fresh water (preferrably pure ro/di water)

a hydrometer or refractometer to measure the SG/salinity.

Rock.

Lighting (fish need some schedule of lighting to help their biological needs like feeding/spawning).

Livestock.

A powerhead to circulate water (maybe optional in case of a sump)

Optional: Putting this here to justify why some things aren't under need column

Heater (typically this becomes a need but in florida and in most other places it really depends on your heat swings and location of tank)

Skimmer: Regular water changes can make a tank healthy, a skimmer always helps make it better.

Filter sock for sump. Again another form of optional filtration

Chiller -depends on tank location and temps and livestock


Its late so that may not be all but thats whats off the top of my head. hop eit helps

 

[ben&bobbi]

thanks Christie.
that is exactly what i am looking for!

There are no wrong answers here, please do no bash someones suggestions. I only need info for our report.

 

[AquaKnight]

You would say there definitely is going to be a sump, or is that more or less left up to us to decide if a sump is necessary or something not mandatory?

 

[loosbrew]

We need a little more information about the project details.

What is your budget? This is very important to gauge what to recommend.

Which species do you plan on caring for? Another important detail to determine what is appropriate to recommend for general equipment and overall setup.

You mentioned it was a drilled tank but you didn't mention if it was RR or not. Is there an overflow? Either way, if you decide to utilize the holes than bulkheads, a sump, plumbing and a decent water pump will be required.

Some standard items would include:
Hydrometer
Salt
Test Kits (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate etc...)
Substrate
Thermometer
Lights

That's all that comes to mind at the moment.

HTH
Luis

 

[gwrench]

Here's the original post:
thanks for coming in to read.

I am attending UCF in Orlando, Florida. We have decided to do our group project on setting up standards to maintain a saltwater aquarium! I did not object!

What i need is help from everyone here at RC! I will several question that i will be asking for YOUR answers. We need ranges of answers to graph, but please be honest and realistic. If you don't want to post, please PM or email me. I will send this link to my team mates for reviewing.

We decided to setup a 55g tank (on paper only) going fish only with live rock. I have already asked for a quote to setup such a tank. i will start a new thread for each question, so it is easier to follow.

PLEASE help us out, all input will be included.

Thanks again!
Ben

Hobby Experience: >5 yrs salt, since child fresh

 

[gwrench]

Re: 55g tank startup - college project Q1

Question 1
What equipment do we need?

The Tank
Stand
Hood and or Canopy unless using a tank top light system
Lighting Equipment (I would suggest VHO or T-5 if corals will ever be placed in the tank)
Timer for lighting
Sump w filtration system (refugium, wet-dry, etc.)
Drain Plumbing
Return Pump and required plumbing components
Protein Skimmer
Powerheads for tank water movement
Substrate
RODI Water
Salt Mix
What did I miss......

 

[WingnutSr]

My idea of a basic, fish w/live rock tank....equipment only.
Tank
Stand
Sump
Skimmer
Lighting
Substrate (optional)
Return pump
Bulkheads and pvc pipe and fittings (or hose/flex tubing) for over flows and returns.
Power heads (optional, not absolutely needed)
Heaters or chiller (chiller may not be needed, depending on location and lighting, same for heaters)
Thermometer
Refractometer
A net, (to catch the fish so you can quarentine them after they come down with ich)
Quarentine tank
Mag Float

 

[ben&bobbi]

Sorry guys i have been very busy with work, and several things got let lag behind. We are back into this project and need to wrap it up in the next few weeks. Next question is on it's way!