In Progress: Sumpless 55g Tank

Pigpen17 said:
Right on. Thanks.
Click to expand...


i like the cobalt MJ 1200.. I will def. get another one for a reactor and use it externally... got the 1200 for mixing and water changes.. love this thing. :bounce1:

im thinking of the BRS reactor, do a mix of carbon and gfo, i really just wanna get rid of my AC50s if possible.
 
manilaboy1vic said:
i like the cobalt MJ 1200.. I will def. get another one for a reactor and use it externally... got the 1200 for mixing and water changes.. love this thing. :bounce1:

im thinking of the BRS reactor, do a mix of carbon and gfo, i really just wanna get rid of my AC50s if possible.
Click to expand...

I am curious about hom much nosie it would make.

I am assuming your AC=Aquaclear HOB? I used to run a Magnum HOT filter back in my 65g days. I haven't missed it at all.

Now I am going to sound like a noob here, because I am not sure of all the terms, but the one thing an HOB filter will do for you that is missing in a sumpless system is removing particulates in the water. I "wash" my live rock with a powerhead and then scoop out the bits with a fine net, but it's kind of a pain, but it's just part of my program.
 
manilaboy1vic said:
The smart ato is very small. I just got a cobalt pump for water changes and it can be run externally.. so you'd be able to run input and output tubes only. Reactor hidden in back along with pump... but if you are going strong the way you are then no need to over complicate it... look at the smart ato tho... it's nice.
Click to expand...

Oh no! I looked at the smart ATO. Must have. Another toy to the list.
 
Pigpen:

Hey guys here is my first post ever and this thread has been amazing! I also have a 56g column tank and I am planning on starting my cycle the first of the year!! ( very excited)
As I'm still trying to gain as much knowledge as I can before I get started. (Newbie to saltwater)

Current equipment:
Reef octopus bh-100f skimmer/filter
2 voyager 3 powerheads 1200gph each
Heater
Reef breeder photon 24

I love reading about people not using sumps as I don't plan on using one unless I upgrade in the future.

I have a few questions.
Are the two voyagers going to push to much water/current?
Do you like the placement of your phs on the back wall. That is where mine currently are
Is it ok to put the heater inside of the skimmer if it fits?

What settings do you have your reef breeder lights on?
I'm planning on starting with a couple fish and some soft corals then go from there.

Any other tips or tricks for this tank? Sorry for the long post
 
Pics of my setup

Pics of my setup

image.jpgimage.jpg
 
Last edited:
Jbsoccer06 said:
Pigpen:

Hey guys here is my first post ever and this thread has been amazing! I also have a 56g column tank and I am planning on starting my cycle the first of the year!! ( very excited)
As I'm still trying to gain as much knowledge as I can before I get started. (Newbie to saltwater)

Current equipment:
Reef octopus bh-100f skimmer/filter
2 voyager 3 powerheads 1200gph each
Heater
Reef breeder photon 24

I love reading about people not using sumps as I don't plan on using one unless I upgrade in the future.

I have a few questions.
Are the two voyagers going to push to much water/current?
Do you like the placement of your phs on the back wall. That is where mine currently are
Is it ok to put the heater inside of the skimmer if it fits?

What settings do you have your reef breeder lights on?
I'm planning on starting with a couple fish and some soft corals then go from there.

Any other tips or tricks for this tank? Sorry for the long post
Click to expand...

Hey! Another 56er! I love seeing what folks are doing with these things. I’m always scouring the web for ideas and inspirations.

As far as your questions, just know I am new to this as well and I only really know what I have put my hands on and what I have read on here.

I do like my PH’s on the back wall. I have gone back and forth with them putting them on the sides and then back and moving them again. They keep ending up back there.

As far as flow, I think 2400GPH is a lot, but I have very fine sand so I am limited as far as how much water I can push. From what I have read on here 25-30X your water volume is about where you should be. That puts us at about 1400 or so. I have 700+900 (1600) and to be honest I wish I could do a bit more. My aquascape is against the back wall and stuff dose get built up back there. I may upgrade to X2 900, even though my sand may not like it. 1650 is by no means a hurricane, and I think I could use more.

I am still working out the reef breeders thing. I started out all over the place, but now I have a huge algae problem so I have it turned way down. I stated out with things a little on the white side, just because I liked the look of it. 40% Blue 80% White. I have read on here that warm whites are only good at growing algae, so go figure. I have no SPS or LPS yet, and my Xenia would grow with a candle, so there’s that too. But it is going very well. I have ordered a GFO reactor for the algae, and once it gets a bit more under control I am going to run the program as they have it set on the custom cycle. After all the fidgeting with this thing, I would like to see what reef breeders intended. out of the box.

There are some skimmers that will house a heater, but I would not put one in a skimmer that is not meant for that. Your skimmer is one of your greatest assets. Let it run at it’s best and unhindered.

I hope that helped. Please keep posting pictures. I would love to see what you do with this thing. I am always curious about peoples take on the 56.
 
Oh and an equipment update. I have a GFO reactor on it's way, and next up is the auto top off. The Smart ATO would not work on my tank because it has a rim (Bummer!), but I found one I will try out. It will take some custom mounting though. No real good options for an ATO for this tank with no sump.

I also ordered black egg crate that has arrived to replace my glass/white egg crate mixed top. I love it. It even makes the in tank lighting look better to me. I am now 100% open topped. The white crate was too reflective, but the black looks slick. I want to post pictures, but my phone is not connecting right now. I’ll post them tomorrow.
 
Thanks for all the info!! Yup this is my first tank so I'm just learning as much as I can the diving on in. When I get back from vacation the fun will start and I'll set up my qt tank and I'll start putting together my display tank and start cycling it! I can't wait!!

Ya I've been messing around with the light obviously without any critters just for fun. But let me know how the stock settings work for you!
I'm the same way I've been looking for inspiration and tips on these 56 columns and they are hard to come by! I was very excited to find this thread! I'll keep you updated!
 
Anytime.

Here's some shots of my new top.

<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/user/pigpen_/media/IMG_1185.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/pigpen_/IMG_1185.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1185.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/user/pigpen_/media/IMG_1186.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/pigpen_/IMG_1186.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1186.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/user/pigpen_/media/IMG_1184.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/pigpen_/IMG_1184.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_1184.jpg"/></a>
 
Jbsoccer06 said:
Hey how much sand did you guys use for your tank? How tall of a sand bed?
Click to expand...

Crap. I don't really remember. I think I added two 20lb bags, thought it was a bit thin and added one more. Maybe I added two more, but I think it was just one. It's a few inches thick.

One thing I did not do that I learned later was set your rock in the tank before you add sand. I did sand for a few days and then added my live rock. If I had a do-over, I would add rock first, then add the sand. It makes your aquascape more stable to have it's feet on glass, especially if you are going to house any diggers.
 
Thanks! Ya I have read a bunch about putting rock on the glass which I will deff do! I got my rock yesterday so I've been messing around with some ideas. I'll post here shortly!
 
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