New Tank - Pic

[Captainfester]

So here she is. the new tank is setup.

55 gallon 48 inches.
60 lbs live sand. mostly fine grain
50 lbs live rock
1 hermit crab as he was living in one of the rocks.
aquaclear 110
400 gph power head <--- being replaced by (2) koralia 425 gph pumps.
200 watt glass heater
salnity at 10.245

 

[Lynnmw1208]

Looking good so far. One question for you though, are you going to epoxy that rock down? It's making me nervous :uhoh3: You don't want an accidental collapse.

 

[Captainfester]

Looking good so far. One question for you though, are you going to epoxy that rock down? It's making me nervous :uhoh3: You don't want an accidental collapse.

I wasnt planning on it it is very steady though. the iphone pic doesnt give you much depth. i guess we shall see as we go.

any advice on what i should use to attach it?

 

[Lynnmw1208]

any epoxy should work. I use waterweld which can be found at home depot in the paint aisle. a sandwich of superglue gel/epoxy/superglue gel works best. I found the epoxy alone doesn't hold the rock well enough.

 

[Mr.Tan]

looks great so far, impressed that those rocks are stayin up so well with no epoxy!

 

[thebkramer]

Hiya! Looking great!!
I also have a 55g running with a Aqua 110... were you planning on a HOB skimmer?? I would highly suggest one!! otherwise you will run into water param issues take it from someone who has been there done that lol.. I recently bought the Eshopps HOB & it is AMAZING!!

Edit:
Just noticed salinity at 10.245??

 

[Reef Job]

If you can apply some pressure to the rock and wiggle it without a collapse you should be okay. You'll just need to be careful when you're working in the tank, but that goes for any aquascape really. It looks good though.

 

[pmgaudio]

You going to stick with a HOB filter for that big a tanK?
I just ask cause I have had Lots of input for my 45 Gallon build I am currently working on, and Sump was the numer 1 answer, so I was just wondering if you had alternative filtration plans. Then again it does depend on what you plan on keepeing in the tank.
I have a 29 Gallon with an Emporer 400 (bio wheels removed) And two powerheads and it works fine. But that big a tank>? Just a suggestion. LOOKS good so far, good luck

 

[thebkramer]

You going to stick with a HOB filter for that big a tanK?
I just ask cause I have had Lots of input for my 45 Gallon build I am currently working on, and Sump was the numer 1 answer, so I was just wondering if you had alternative filtration plans. Then again it does depend on what you plan on keepeing in the tank.
I have a 29 Gallon with an Emporer 400 (bio wheels removed) And two powerheads and it works fine. But that big a tank>? Just a suggestion. LOOKS good so far, good luck

I've been using HOBs for 5 yrs.. I only had water issues once in the very beginning because I did not have a skimmer. Although it would look "better" without the HOB hanging in the water.. it works great
Of course one day I would love to switch to a sump.. just not quite in the budget yet

 

[NewOne81]

I like the rock work, tanks got a good start

 

[joshik]

sweeet!

 

[Captainfester]

thanks guys... whooops 10.245.... typo!

in the process of pricing out and finding a good skimmer. thinking a lot about throwing another aquaclean 110 on there also. could fit a good size skimmer and both 110 no problem.

have to bring the water to the lfs wednesday for analysis and pending good results get the first fish.

thoughts on first fish?

obviously fish choice is very personal but im thinking a couple clowns. maybe 2 of the cardinals. a wrasse or so. must be reef safe and community friendly.

 

[thebkramer]

thanks guys... whooops 10.245.... typo!

in the process of pricing out and finding a good skimmer. thinking a lot about throwing another aquaclean 110 on there also. could fit a good size skimmer and both 110 no problem.

you def don't need another 110 you should be okay maintaining tank until you get a skimmer. I've gone weeks without my skimmer while needing to medicate or waiting for new one after old one broke.. totally up to you though!
Eshopps HOB is one amazing skimmer.. Octopus HOB are great too.. Stay away from Red Sea Prism!! THe Worst ever!! lol
I was able to get my Eshopps on Ebay for $100..$125 with shipping.. saved about $50 there
Have Fun!! :bounce3:

 

[bigmikey]

You could mod that ac into a refugium if you like. That way you can have another way of taking your nitrates out. That aquascape looks nice btw. When I epoxied mine down I drilled a small hole into each rock and stuck a piece of acrylic rod in before gluing them down

 

[Captainfester]

You could mod that ac into a refugium if you like. That way you can have another way of taking your nitrates out. That aquascape looks nice btw. When I epoxied mine down I drilled a small hole into each rock and stuck a piece of acrylic rod in before gluing them down

thats kinda what i was thinking was to fill the second one with reef rock not the filtering things that come with it.

 

[bigmikey]

Imho you really dont need it as a mechanical filter. Saltwater tanks rely more heavily on the biological filter than anything else. You could fill the ac with a bit of sand and a good clump of cheato and you're good.

 

[greech]

Looks good but +1 on being sure the rocks are secure. I think I would consider more flow than 2x425s. I would probably shoot for 2x750s at least but not sure how much flow is coming from that pump along the side wall. You have a fairly open tank which will help with flow but I think you'll need more flow in a 4' tank to keep it healthy.

 

[Captainfester]

First fish are in. 2 green chromis. Very small. Also threw in another hermit a Mexican turbo snail and some other small snail that doesn't move as much. Figure if the snail dies the hermit will have a new home. Fish seems very happy. Eating swimming in and out of rocks.

Good start I think.

 

[Benson0219]

Nice tank. I think my next tank will be a 55... big but still small enough to handle!

 

[Captainfester]

Added new fish. Lfs said water was perfect condition so went ahead and got 4 clown. Two black 2 true.