Where to start on 55 gal?

J

jeepboy_90

New member
I am new to the salt water world, but have been working with other animals for years. Currently I am working with Uroplatus Geckos.

A change in heart has made me look in the direction of a reef tank. I have read multiple books and looked at this forum for hours. Plus other sites around the internet.

They all seem to point me in the direction of a 55 gal tank to start with. Is this correct? Now for all the other items. Skimmers, pumps, wet/dry, etc. Everyone seems to have there own point of view.

So please tell me yours.

I would like to have a nice reef tank for my living room and not spend more than $1000 at this point. (is this possible)

What products should I purchase? (in your point of view)
 
Upgrade to a 75...A 55 doesn't have the depth that you will eventually want.
 
I have a 55 and wish it was bigger.Bigger is better if you can jump to a 90 that seems to be a pretty popular beginer tank.
 
I just upgraded from a 55 to a 110 and Aquascaping a 55 is hard to do because of the limited width, I would suggest a 75-110 tank that is drilled.
 
The 55 is a shade too small to keep any but the smallest tangs, one of the more popular fishes, and really too small for even a dwarf angel, but it is a good size for gobies, blennies, dartfish, etc, and of course corals, who don't complain about tank size. If you buy a turn-key reef-ready 55, you can spend 3000 very easily. If you shop wisely and have the patience to wait, you can come in under budget with a 72 and be nicely set up also with your live rock (another several hundred dollar bill.) Watch the used equipment forum for systems in your area, and be prepared to do an overnight trip to go look at one if you have to. Moving an established tank is a pita, a 2-man job, but it can be done.

you can save money by using: dry sand instead of live (no difference); some base rock plus live (a little longer wait on cycling); buying used.

A marine tank is happiest with a sump and a potent skimmer; if you buy a system this comes along---but it can set you back nearly a thousand on its own in that size category if you buy new.

Anything from 55 to 100g is a good starting tank and is more often available used or as a whole system, sometimes including rock and fish and corals.

I'd start by reading the two * threads at the top of this forum: the second one is a how-to book that is very specific. Compose your equipment list as you go through.
Then go to the lighting and equipment forum and read and learn about brands. There IS a big difference.
This way when you read about a system you might like you'll know exactly what they're talking about and how good a brand the equipment is.

I have, with my 54g bowfront, what I'd consider moderately good equipment: not the best going, but perfectly adequate for stony coral, clams, and any fish that fits my size category. You can check out my list in the sig below.
 
You can get something set up for around $1000, but I'd highly recommend shopping for used equipment in order to get some nice hardware in that price range. Are you looking to have the tank and a sump to house equipment under the tank?

In any case, I'd recommend a skimmer and good set of lights (something like a 4 bulb T5 setup with individual reflectors) in terms of equipment. You'll also need a couple powerheads. But that will get you started.
 
forget the wet/dry as well, stick to a skimmer live rock and power heads, if you can fit a sump get 1 of these as well, id get the biggest tank you can afford and cope with as well, it will be worth it eventually as you add other critters etc, also as sk8r mentioned have alook at the newbie info at the top of the forum, and welcome to RC
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13216563#post13216563 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by metweezer
Sorry, but depth = height.
Click to expand...

What I consider depth is front to back distance (aquarium-wise). Height is just that....height. :bum:

That is just MY opinion.... Not trying to get into a ****ing competition.
 
I currently have a 55 gallon. At some point in the future my wife and I will be selling our house and building a new one. That is the moment when I plan to upgrade.

In the meantime I'm going to watch for used equipment like a hawk, and stockpile it so that I don't get hit all at once with the costs. When the time comes I'll bag my few fish up and take them to the LFS, but keep the corals.

Then I'll use the live rock and sand from my 55 gallon as a starter for the aquascape in my new much bigger tank.

Sound like a plan?
 
Depth means front to back
Height means from the top of the tank to the bottom of the tank
(just my personal dialect)

I think if you want to get technical, depth wouldn't be used at all. It's Length, With, Height when discussing dimensions.

To get back to the subject of the thread... Get a 75 gallon. They have a much "Deeper"/"Wider" footprint than the 55. Those extra inches really save you from either
a) Having a wall of live rock going strait up
or
b) Having a really low stack of rock and a TON of room on top of it, making your tank constantly look half full, especially when you're starting out and only have about an inch of coral frags poking up out of the LR.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13216931#post13216931 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by msduncan
I currently have a 55 gallon. At some point in the future my wife and I will be selling our house and building a new one. That is the moment when I plan to upgrade.

In the meantime I'm going to watch for used equipment like a hawk, and stockpile it so that I don't get hit all at once with the costs. When the time comes I'll bag my few fish up and take them to the LFS, but keep the corals.

Then I'll use the live rock and sand from my 55 gallon as a starter for the aquascape in my new much bigger tank.

Sound like a plan?
Click to expand...

If that's the case, just rock the 55 until you move, but then plan on a bigger tank after the move, like maybe a 125 (6' long)

Between then and now, buy a skimmer for the 125, some power heads, and maybe two 200-ish watt MH lights. Then when you move, you can use the same lights on the sides of your 125 for softies, then get the 400-watter for the center. I can't remember the watt numbers for the MH lights, but I think it's 250 and 400 IIRC. The skimmer and power heads can just get transfered to the new tank as well. Then the only additional expense you get by transferring is the cost of the middle light, stand, and tank.
 
What is the depth of your tank?
How deep is your tank?
They both mean the same to me.
I agree with the post L x W x H is the way tanks are measured. I don't understand how depth becomes width at all. Just a friendly disagreement.:)
 
Just the lingo around here. I didn't say it was right, but it makes sense and the majority of people on here use it. Just kind of accepted.

Feel free to use depth when talking about the height of your tank, you will just have to clarify most times what you mean. :)
 
pretty funny stuff, amazing what people disagree over :)

Stay away from the 55. It will cost alot to set up and you will not be happy with it for very long.
A 75 is a wise choice; if room is avaliable go 90.
As stated watch for used equipment> you can get a whole setup cheaper than starting with the 55 :)

Good luck!
 
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