new guy with some questions??

[james04]

I want to turn my 55 into a reef tank... I had a fish only untill my blue hippo gave everyone the ich. only my clowns and green damsels survived.. they are now in a medicated tank and the 55 is empty of fish/inverts.

After reading TBS's site I think I am going to drain the 55 and start all over with "THE PACKAGE"...

My concern is after reading TBS's site a 55 package calls for 50lbs of sand and 110lbs of rock.. Will my 55 gallon Glass tank hold this kinda weight? it sound like alot and i dont want to spend 700.00 and find out it doesnt.???

currently on my 55 is a ehiem canister filter, prizm skimmer, and 1 jet.... If i go with the package should i replace all the media inside the canister filter and how should i clean the equipment so it is ready for "the package"???????

how long before ordering the package should i set the 55 up and have it running with new water?????

I also have a reef light that has moonlighting, 2-65 watt flurecent bulbs and 2-65 watt actinic bulbs.. Will this light be sufficent ???

Thanks for any help in this matter,
James

 

[HowardW]

As long as the tank has no cracks or chips it should be just fine.

For the equipment.......I would ditch the canister filter and that Prizm skimmer and just get one good skimmer. You'll also need good circulation via several powerheads, I run about 25X flow in my 55g. Two Seio 620's might work well, or several MaxiJet 900's.

For the lights, those 4X65W PC's will work fine, but I definately would change the bulbs if they are more then about 7-8 months old.

 

[Ulric]

James figure S/W weights roughly 8lbs per gallon... so your tank, when full was holding 440lbs. Sand/Rock will displace water... so I don't think the 'weight' is going to be all that different.

 

[wooglin]

You will be fine. I have a 75 with the TBS package. I have about 200+ lbs of rock and sand. The rock displaces water, and water is heavier than rock so its really a wash. If you tank can support the water then it can support the rock.

 

[james04]

Cool that makes me feel much better.. thanks for you input


HowardW -

"For the lights, those 4X65W PC's will work fine, but I definately would change the bulbs if they are more then about 7-8 months old."

just curious why to change the bulbs.. the light is about 6 months old ..??

thnaks, james

 

[HowardW]

Power compact bulbs generally have a useful lifespan of about 6-9 months in most cases and sometimes even less for the true actinics.

After about 6-9 months both the the intensity and quality of light they produce really drops off and shifts even if you don't notice it with your eyes.

 

[wooglin]

I have to replace my VHO Actinics every six months, they really lose their intensity. You can tell a crazy difference after six months when you replace them.

That is why if I were starting today I would do MH with T5's for actinic. The T5's last alot longer without color shift.

 

[james04]

man i didnt know that... i guess I will get new bulbs before i get started..

agian thanks for taking the time to help me out..

thanks,
james

 

[james04]

also, will i be ok to start the tank up with the prizm skimmer and canister filter untill i can afford a goor skimmer??? Or should i just wait untill i have a good skimmer?

James

 

[HowardW]

I would ditch the canister unless you are willing to clean it out every couple days as they become detrius traps and produce unwanted nitrates. I would also get a good skimmer as soon as you can as they are one of the most important pieces of equpment for any saltwater tank in my opinion.

 

[james04]

ok thanks, sounds like to much work to keep it...
it will get ditched


thanks

 

[ybenormal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9329403#post9329403 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wooglin The rock displaces water, and water is heavier than rock so its really a wash.
[/B]

If water was heavier than rock, the rock would float!

 

[wooglin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9345032#post9345032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ybenormal
If water was heavier than rock, the rock would float!

Yeah that was stupid, I guess they are about the same.

 

[ybenormal]

Not stupid, just a funny slip.

LR is actually quite a bit heavier than SW, especially dense rock like TBS sells. Don't worry though, the tank can handle the weight just fine. Just be careful and avoid dropping a rock or hitting one against the glass and all will be OK.