Questions about a new tank setup

[reef_happy]

Hello everyone,

I am trying to set up a 55 gallon saltwater aquarium. I am new to saltwater, although I have maintained a goldfish aquarium for almost six years. So I have some experience with fish keeping.

I have read and learnt from the posts on this site. Also spoke to my local LFS guys with mixed success. I feel at this time I am ready to get started. I need to keep the cost low, but if there is something I do need for a successful setup, I am willing to get it. May I ask you to provide some help in getting me started?

First, I now have 55 gal aquarium is perfect condition, very nice stand, one Aquaclear 500 filter. I don't have any heater (didn't need it for goldfish), so I am planning to get one 250 watts heater. My specific questions are:

1. Do I need RO/DI unit? It complicates the matter, but if it is essential, then I am willing to get it. Is there a specific low-cost unit that you recommend?

2. Can I use regular sand as opposed to live sand? I don't want a bare bottom aquarium, so even one inch sand layer would mean about 50 lbs of sand. I think 50 lbs of live sand is expensive.

3. Can I use regular rock as opposed to live rock? I am thinking of getting about 50 lbs of rock. Can I use, say, about 5 lbs of live rock and other 45 lbs of dry rock? Do dry rocks turn into live rock over time? Is there specific kind of dry rocks that I should be using? I noticed there are some good deals on eBay on dry rocks.

4. I don't think my filter is enough. Should I get a wet-dry filter, say eshhops 75?

5. Do I absolutely need a protein skimmer?

I realize that these are lots of questions. I would very much appreciate your feedback.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Since you are in the Fish Only section, my first question to you is whether or not you are planning on doing a reef (like your screenname suggests), or actually just a fish only?? That will determine many of the answers you get.

 

[reef_happy]

I am not planning a reef aquarium. It will either be only fish or fish with live rock.

I think I chose a misleading screen name.

 

[stepnic2]

I would go with a ro/di unit, it can lessen your chance of algae in the future. You can go with dry rock,and yes, it will become live rock over time. You can use crushed coral but I wouldn't use regular sand. For a fish only system, I would use a wet/dry filter. As far as a skimmer, I've always used one, but if you keep up with water changes,you may be ok.