***New 45 Gallon Reef Tank Question***

[SaltSolutions1]

This may be a bit lengthy but I want to make sure you know what I have set up before you recommend what my tank capacity is for any more fish, corals, peppermint shrimp, ect.

I have 2 percula clowns (that don't go near my sebae anemone that is about 7" in diameter when she opens up) A beautiful home for those guys and they have no interest.

Here is the rest of my stock list:

FISH
In addition to the two clowns, I have:
1 Leopard Wrasse
1 Lawnmower Blenny
1 Six Line Wrasse

CLEANUP CREW
6 Snails
1 Decorator Crab
At least 2 small Hermit Crabs

CORALS
encrusting gorgonia
toadstool
duncan polyps
star polyps
(all very small amounts)

FILTRATION
CPR Bak Pak 2 Skimmer with Biological Filtration
350 Magnum Canister (running carbon and filter sleeve)
Maxi-Jet 1200 Powerhead
80 lbs. Live Rock
10 gallon Refugium with Live Sand, 1 pound of Live Rock, with Chaeto and 5 Mangrove Stalks

LIGHTING
Main Tank:
Compact Fluorescent fixture with 2 bulbs (White, Blue, and Moon)
Refugium:
Coralife T-5 Series 24" fixture laying over top of refugium tank with full-spectrum bulb and 6700K plant bulb

I want to put more coral, fish, and clean up crew.

Please lend me all of your suggestions.....Thank you in advance!

 

[cveverly]

My opinion,

Get a better light.
Get a better skimmer.
Remove the canister.
Add more flow.

Don't add much more bioload (fish).
Do add a few more snails if you need more cleanup.

 

[SaltSolutions1]

will remove the canister.....i thought i needed to use it still to polish the water.

skimmer is pretty good with the modifications I've done to it.

what do u suggest for a better light. (i was told i could grow most corals with that light) (my friend has a 75 gallon with the same light fixture. It doesn't evenn fit his tank it's short a foot and he still grows coral in his tank.)

and as far as flow, should i just add another maxi-jet 1200?

 

[Rustylugnuts]

and as far as flow, should i just add another maxi-jet 1200?

I would say get one of these but that would be serious overkill unless you filed down the prop a bit.

 

[SaltSolutions1]

as for additional flow, i need something that will not be overkill......any suggestions?

I turned my canister off yesterday and the water quality has not changed at all. I guess it wasn't really doing a whole lot to begin with.

Keep the suggestions coming.......thanks in advance

 

[kau_cinta_ku]

I would look at tunze nano's, seio's, or korilias for additional flow it has a much wider flow spread than a mj. you will want around 20x turnover from powerheads.