What to do with a 55gal?
- Thread starter jenjen
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jenjen
New member
I'm wondering, if I did an internal fuge with some rock rubble and chaeto, could I add a mandarin to this tank (down the road of course)? I'm decided on a goby/pistol shrimp pair & a pair of black clowns, and wanted one more fish. I'm thinking a mandarin would be cool, but without a full sump/fuge could a small internal fuge work?
well i have another link for ya for an idea on an internal fuge haha....http://forum.marinedepot.com/Topic94112-9-25.aspx this is a great thread, i jumped to a picture of the tank for you, you can see on the right side that he simply put a piece of glass in, and then put a return pump on that side. If you look more throughout the article you'll see that he uses and ATS and that is it. I personally think this tank is amazing and i'm sure with all the little creatures and a small bio load you'd be able to have a mandrin after a pod population was able to get a foothold.
jenjen
New member
Have you done seagrass before? I've done some reading on it and it doesn't sound 'easy' to maintain.
I've been looking at the tank and I'm back & forth about where to add a fuge. I like the idea of partitioning off an end because it'd be easy and it doesn't compromise the front/back space in the tank (it's only 12") - but it would be on a viewing wall and block the view into the main display. I think a back wall fuge would look better, but would be more challenging to install. Or I suppose I could suck it up and do a HOB (my husband likes this idea, because then he doesn't have to build anything!), but I'm really trying to avoid having stuff hanging off the tank.
I think I'm going to attempt the back wall in-tank fuge. If I build it out of plexi I can make it removable, which could be handy as well. It also allows me to put holes and slots for flow anywhere I want. The only thing I can't figure out is how to attach it to the tank so it won't sink to the bottom – I’ll work on that today, then give hubby a measurements list & see what he comes up with.
Oh, is there any issue with having the fuge on the same light cycle as the main tank? On my other tank I have an in-cabinet fuge and I have the lights on a reverse cycle, but in this setup I wouldn’t be able to do that. Should be fine?
I've been looking at the tank and I'm back & forth about where to add a fuge. I like the idea of partitioning off an end because it'd be easy and it doesn't compromise the front/back space in the tank (it's only 12") - but it would be on a viewing wall and block the view into the main display. I think a back wall fuge would look better, but would be more challenging to install. Or I suppose I could suck it up and do a HOB (my husband likes this idea, because then he doesn't have to build anything!), but I'm really trying to avoid having stuff hanging off the tank.
I think I'm going to attempt the back wall in-tank fuge. If I build it out of plexi I can make it removable, which could be handy as well. It also allows me to put holes and slots for flow anywhere I want. The only thing I can't figure out is how to attach it to the tank so it won't sink to the bottom – I’ll work on that today, then give hubby a measurements list & see what he comes up with.
Oh, is there any issue with having the fuge on the same light cycle as the main tank? On my other tank I have an in-cabinet fuge and I have the lights on a reverse cycle, but in this setup I wouldn’t be able to do that. Should be fine?
jenjen
New member
Also just a small progress update.
All the inhabitants have begun being re-homed. I've had this FW setup running for 4.5 years and some of the fish have been with me the entire time, so it's sad seeing some of them go. The tank has been planted for about 3 years, and just yesterday a guy came and picked up all the plants... it looks SO bare in there! I have all the little fish being picked up sometime this week, and the two larger fish I'm dropping off at their new home on Saturday. So by EOD Saturday I should have the tank drained and cleaned.
The new stand is built. I had said originally that it sits on my china cabinet, which it does. Well, my husband built my china cabinet 5 years ago (specifically to fit the tank) and when he heard I was tearing the tank down he decided to build a new one. It's the same dimensions and will still house my china, but is much nicer and more to our current taste than the old one.
So I'm thinking the 'fill' will be sometime over the weekend. WOOHOO!!!
All the inhabitants have begun being re-homed. I've had this FW setup running for 4.5 years and some of the fish have been with me the entire time, so it's sad seeing some of them go. The tank has been planted for about 3 years, and just yesterday a guy came and picked up all the plants... it looks SO bare in there! I have all the little fish being picked up sometime this week, and the two larger fish I'm dropping off at their new home on Saturday. So by EOD Saturday I should have the tank drained and cleaned.
The new stand is built. I had said originally that it sits on my china cabinet, which it does. Well, my husband built my china cabinet 5 years ago (specifically to fit the tank) and when he heard I was tearing the tank down he decided to build a new one. It's the same dimensions and will still house my china, but is much nicer and more to our current taste than the old one.
So I'm thinking the 'fill' will be sometime over the weekend. WOOHOO!!!
If you read this article by chuck it should clear up a lot of questions, and is very interesting. http://www.chucksaddiction.com/The Natural Reef Aquarium Part Two.html ...imo i don't think that seagrass beds are too hard to take care of, the main thing being you have to let the sand bed become mature enough to keep the right amount of nutrients for the grass to grow. As far as the cycle of the fuge light, it should be fine, the lighting on the tank i mentioned is a single 250w MH lamp and i believe that is it. I do like the idea of doing the sump as the whole back wall, you'll get a very large ATS, and won't comprimise your viewing. (although i have to admit i love to look into my fuge on my 75, it's teaming with life and is just as much fun to look at as the tank, but just my opinion) The only problem i can tink of is that it will be harder to clean it becuase it is the whole back wall, but if you or your husband has long arms you should be fine 
jenjen
New member
What a fascinating article.. wow!! I definitely want to try that, but not sure I'll dive in just yet. Two things going against me right now:
1. I don't know that I'm ready to commit to a DSB
2. I won't have enough light, at least to start
Once I get the tank up and running successfully I may revisit this. I'm really glad I read that article though, because just plunking the plants in there clearly wouldn't work which is good to know.
I LOVE watching the fuge.. I spend tons of time sitting or laying on the floor by my tank watching the all the life in there - it's amazing! But as this is a living/dining room display tank I figure I will keep it more in line with what dinner guests will find entertaining and less about me 'watching a bunch of bugs' as my husband says.
As for long arms.. well, I'll say I hadn't thought too much about cleaning the outside of the thing and if I make it out of plexi I'll have to use something 'soft' so as not to scratch it up. In my main tank I don't clean the back wall, but if I have a fuge back there I'll definitely want to be able to see into it. Hmm, my husband has much longer arms than I do.. maybe this can be his job!
I want to get some fish into QT, now that my QT tank is finally available. I want a clown pair, but don't want osc clowns as that's what I have downstairs. I had my mind set on black & white's, but my husband doesn't like these. I'm leaning towards tomato or maroon, but I'm not sure whether either of these would tolerate a goby/shrimp pair and a mandarin sharing their domain. I may end up choosing a less agressive clown.
Decisions decisions... I'm having such fun planning out this tank!
1. I don't know that I'm ready to commit to a DSB
2. I won't have enough light, at least to start
Once I get the tank up and running successfully I may revisit this. I'm really glad I read that article though, because just plunking the plants in there clearly wouldn't work which is good to know.
I LOVE watching the fuge.. I spend tons of time sitting or laying on the floor by my tank watching the all the life in there - it's amazing! But as this is a living/dining room display tank I figure I will keep it more in line with what dinner guests will find entertaining and less about me 'watching a bunch of bugs' as my husband says.
As for long arms.. well, I'll say I hadn't thought too much about cleaning the outside of the thing and if I make it out of plexi I'll have to use something 'soft' so as not to scratch it up. In my main tank I don't clean the back wall, but if I have a fuge back there I'll definitely want to be able to see into it. Hmm, my husband has much longer arms than I do.. maybe this can be his job!
I want to get some fish into QT, now that my QT tank is finally available. I want a clown pair, but don't want osc clowns as that's what I have downstairs. I had my mind set on black & white's, but my husband doesn't like these. I'm leaning towards tomato or maroon, but I'm not sure whether either of these would tolerate a goby/shrimp pair and a mandarin sharing their domain. I may end up choosing a less agressive clown.
Decisions decisions... I'm having such fun planning out this tank!
why don't you try a pair of true percula clownfish? i love how dark they get around their white bands, althought they will look similar to your osc they are much more attractive imo. As far as a DSB i know many people are hesitant with them and that's totally fine, i just want to make sure that you know if you use plexy on the back as an overflow and put a pump in there you will get an ATS. Which will just be algae growth on the plexi that is there, this is good becuae it will be your means of nutrient import/export and will be very beneficial. The back of your tank will initially look green because of the turf scrubber but after it gets thick it should turn darker, unless you plan on using black plexi for the back then you don't have to worry
jenjen
New member
Thanks for the info.. I actually think I'll use clear plexi so I can still see into the fuge, but not bother to clean it or the back wall. Hopefully it'll all colour up and 'blend together' over time. Since I won't have any grazers in this tank, if it gets really scungy I may change my mind and decide to clean it - in my main tank the Kole tang keeps the back wall well in check.
Good call on the true percs - I was actually looking at them. They stay smaller, but it might be a reasonable compromise for us. I'm scouting around to see if anyone local has any in stock so I can go take a close look at them and decide.
Two questions:
1. would running carbon be worthwhile in this tank, or will I have enough filtration for such a low bio-load that it wouldn't be necessary?
2. could I use a waterfall filter (standard FW fare) to run carbon?
ok, 3 questions:
3. if I use the waterfall filter to run carbon, could I set it up to draw & overflow into the fuge section?
Good call on the true percs - I was actually looking at them. They stay smaller, but it might be a reasonable compromise for us. I'm scouting around to see if anyone local has any in stock so I can go take a close look at them and decide.
Two questions:
1. would running carbon be worthwhile in this tank, or will I have enough filtration for such a low bio-load that it wouldn't be necessary?
2. could I use a waterfall filter (standard FW fare) to run carbon?
ok, 3 questions:
3. if I use the waterfall filter to run carbon, could I set it up to draw & overflow into the fuge section?
In all honesty i don't think you'll need to run carbon, you defenetly can if you would like it does help with water clarity if your water gets funky at all, but like you said with such a small bioload i don't think it will be necessary. Yeah a waterfall filter should work just fine, if you want you could also just throw a filter pouch with activated carbon in it into the fuge. The only problem i see with using the filter on the plexy is that i think it may be too heavy (depending on how thick of plexy you use) and i'm not sure if they work as overflows, i believe i've seen people drill the bottoms, but not a hundred percent sure.
jenjen
New member
Ok, carbon is out then. One less thing hanging off the tank... I like it. I'll hang onto the filter though, so I can add it on if need be.
So this weekend was to be 'the big move', but I still seem to have all my little FW buddies - apparently their new homes aren't ready for them yet. So... the new plan for this weekend is to get the fuge built, buy the sand and rock, and get some fishies into QT. I think I'm going to go with a pair of SI True Perc's... an LFS has some nice looking ones and my husband even likes them. There's a waiting list for my QT these days.
Pics to come, once the new little babies are happily in QT.
So this weekend was to be 'the big move', but I still seem to have all my little FW buddies - apparently their new homes aren't ready for them yet. So... the new plan for this weekend is to get the fuge built, buy the sand and rock, and get some fishies into QT. I think I'm going to go with a pair of SI True Perc's... an LFS has some nice looking ones and my husband even likes them.
There's a waiting list for my QT these days.Pics to come, once the new little babies are happily in QT.
jenjen
New member
It's been a productive day. I went out to get the hardware & dry goods I needed for the tank. I picked up a second K3 (already have one) and a K-nano for in the fuge area. I also got sand. I checked out rock, but I'm not certain what I'm looking for so didn't end up getting anything - I'll go again once I get the sand & water in and have a better idea of what I'm after.
I've been pretty set on the SI True Perc's, but while I was out I spotted a beautiful young mated Clarkii pair that I couldn't pass up. The happy couple has just been transferred into QT and will hang out there until their new home is ready for them.
I am going to move the FW fish to my spare 90gal for now, so I can get the 55gal cleaned and ready. Transferring the FW fish will likely happen tonight.. and then the real fun begins! :fun2:
I've been pretty set on the SI True Perc's, but while I was out I spotted a beautiful young mated Clarkii pair that I couldn't pass up. The happy couple has just been transferred into QT and will hang out there until their new home is ready for them.
I am going to move the FW fish to my spare 90gal for now, so I can get the 55gal cleaned and ready. Transferring the FW fish will likely happen tonight.. and then the real fun begins! :fun2:
reefhunters
New member
how about some garden eels. they look cool just hanging out. you could add some macro algae and a few chromis for color and movement
jenjen
New member
Ohh, I love garden eels but they need a covered tank for starters. Also, not sure I'll have a deep enough sandbed. I originally started out thinking in this direction, but it won't work. I'm really excited about what I'm creating though.
1/2 way through the move ATM. The FW babies are moved into the spare 90gal and the 55 is empty & cleaned. The china cabinet is switched out and sand is on it's way in.
1/2 way through the move ATM. The FW babies are moved into the spare 90gal and the 55 is empty & cleaned. The china cabinet is switched out and sand is on it's way in.
O very excited! can't wait to see this in action, what kind of lighting are you putting over it btw? Glad to hear about the clarkiis, i was going to mention those to you also but they can get a little agressive sometimes so i wasn't sure if you wanted that. Maybe they'll have babies with all the food and pods available in the system
jenjen
New member
Well, here we are thus far... water goes in next!
And the temporary accomodations for the FW babies. They're all off to their new homes either this weekend or Tuesday.
I'll put up some pics of the Clarkii's and the clam once the lights come on. For now I'm off to haul water. The one major flaw in the plan with this 55gal is that the water is downstairs, so I have to cart it upstairs to fill the tank and for water changes.
Oh, the lighting on the tank is a Coralife PC fixture for now. As expected, now that things are coming together my husband is already talking about upgrading the lighting. We'll get it up and running with this and then decide what we want to do - it'll depend mostly on what corals we settle on, but I'm leaning towards a T5 fixture if we do anything.
I haven't put in a background yet because I'm waiting until we get the fuge built before I decide on a colour. I'd like to use something that's easy to change, so I'll probably either buy a blue or black background or paint some plexi or wood to place there. The tank is 5 or 6 inches from the wall, so if I change my mind and decide to paint the back it's do-able.
And the temporary accomodations for the FW babies. They're all off to their new homes either this weekend or Tuesday.
I'll put up some pics of the Clarkii's and the clam once the lights come on. For now I'm off to haul water. The one major flaw in the plan with this 55gal is that the water is downstairs, so I have to cart it upstairs to fill the tank and for water changes.
Oh, the lighting on the tank is a Coralife PC fixture for now. As expected, now that things are coming together my husband is already talking about upgrading the lighting. We'll get it up and running with this and then decide what we want to do - it'll depend mostly on what corals we settle on, but I'm leaning towards a T5 fixture if we do anything.
I haven't put in a background yet because I'm waiting until we get the fuge built before I decide on a colour. I'd like to use something that's easy to change, so I'll probably either buy a blue or black background or paint some plexi or wood to place there. The tank is 5 or 6 inches from the wall, so if I change my mind and decide to paint the back it's do-able.
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