starting a 55g sps

[cdi919]

ok i am setting up a 55g sps tank. this is my first one so dont be too harsh on me. my goal is to keep it simple. here is the equipment list-

teklight t5 light
fishbowl innovations moonlight
unimax filter with uv sterilizer
13inch wave2k
tunze skimmer
200w heater
starboard

i also am going to use 30lbs dry rock. i have 40lbs of live and seeded rock cooking. as for fish i already have 2 damsels a clown
and a pixy hawk from a smaller tank.

so how is this for a start?
thanks

 

[cdi919]

anyone home

 

[Wiskey]

I know nothing about the tuneese skimmer, If you are going BB keep in mind that you need a VERY good skimmer, Is this a Very good skimmer? Capeable of skimming wet? Perhaps someone else can weigh in here.

How many bulbs are in that light? Do they have indavidual reflectors?

I know nothing about your chosen type of flow, someone else will have to weigh in here.

Heater is fine, but how do you plan to cool the tank? You will need to, even with the T5's

I don't know anything about your filter, but if it is mechanical (contains foam) you really don't want it, these can produce nitrate if not changed dailey.

You have a good idea, but unfortanatally you have chosen some (to my knoladge) unpopular equiptement that most don't know a whole lot about, this is probably why you haven't gotten much responce.

Whiskey

 

[cdi919]

the skimmer says it makes wet foam.
the light has independent reflectors. it has 4 bulbs.
the filter is a canister just for carbon. no foam.
i am not worried about cooling yet because my other tank never gets above 80.
from what i read the wave 2k makes waves on top and under the water in opposite directions.

 

[cdi919]

bump

 

[john37]

ditch the filter and uv sterilizer unless it's a strong UV. The turbo twists or whatever arent going to do anything.

Dont put damsels in that tank or you'll never catch them or be able to put another fish in there unless it's a trigger. So take the damsels out or put a nice size frogfish in there.

i dont know much about the tunze skimmer, but since it's tunze i'm sure it's great.

have never seen the wave 2k in action either.

 

[jackson6745]

my best advice would be to setup a different size tank. 55's are are hard tank to make look good because of the length and lack of width. If possible you sould do a 65gal or 75gal....even a 40gal breeder would be better.

 

[undertai]

I run a 55 reef tank most sps but one lonely lps. also.

You can see it here:My 55 Gal Tank

I would go with MH lighting and t5's as supplements. Well it really depends on the type of sps monti will do fine under all t5's. I run 2 175w mh's and 2 55w pc's. And I mostly have acro's even have some hard to keep acros and their doing fine. I can place them any where in the tank and get good grow.

I run a skimmer but no uv.

 

[MiddletonMark]

I'd consider additional water movement. Haven't seen a wave2k in action ... but multiple sources of flow are good in an SPS tank IMO.

I don't know if I'd go with the filter, and depending on the size of the UV - IMO both these could be cash better spent on more light, flow. Properly sized, I wouldn't discourage the UV, but would consider it `additional' compared to the necessary light/flow/skimmer.

Take it slow. While I love my BB tank, it took me a while to `get it down' and is not the most forgiving method. Start with some aquacultured frags ... get them growing well before adding too much.

Agree on the damsels, I'd probably remove them now vs. later. I would take fish stocking very slow, and consider understocking until you have the BB running and stable for a while. IMO, get the corals thriving, then try to push the bioload ... not the other way around.

Just my take on it. IMO most stunning SPS tanks took a few years to grow/develop ... don't feel the need to rush.

 

[djperezo]

IMHO, if you haven't bought the 55 yet, get at least a 75, the extra width will come in handy and will help flow and circulation when your corals grow.

 

[cdi919]

thanks for the advice. i already have the tank it was a gift. the canister filter i also have i just want it for carbon. which is what i use it for now. i see what you are saying about the width but its the biggest tank i have ever had. i am thinking about a hqi but i am not sure if i can just use a 20k or a 10k? as for the fish i have had them for 3 years and cant part with them they have brought me luck. imo

 

[dvanacker]

Dont get discouraged about people telling you that you need MH.

I run a 55 gallon dominant SPS reef with a T.crocea and some LPS as well. All my acro's, mili's and montis are doing great. This is under 4 x 54watt. ICE CAP SLR's and aquablue and blue+ bulbs.

T5 is ideal for SPS reefs

 

[cdi919]

t5 also seems easier for a sps beginner like myself. i am not sure but think i can use 3 11k aquablue plus and 1pure actinic or should i use actinicblue plus instead of the pure actinic?