Redoing my 55, looking for advice

insanefishguy · 03/30/2007, 11:28 PM

Ok, so I finally got my hands on a 55 and I am now in the planning stages of redoing my tank. It is a small upgrade from a 40 long to the 55 but the biggest thing is that I am going to get the 55 drilled. I have been contemplating a few things that I would like to bounce off you guys for some feedback and advice.

The first thing is substrate. I started the tank with crushed coral and that needs to go. What are your thoughts between barebottom vs. sand. If I go bare, whats the best place to get that starboard from? Thats kinda what Im leaning towards.

The other thing I wanted to do was do a small closed loop and have the output of the loop go through a spraybar along the bottom back of the tank to keep the detritus from collecting behind the rocks. I wanted to split the input between two bulkheads so that there was not too much flow at one to suck my critters against the strainer. Does anyone know how safe it is to drill 5 holes in the back of a 55 though. I worry that will take away from the integrety of the glass and it may break from the water pressure.

Any and all input is welcome since I am in the planning stages. Thanks much, Joe

03/30/2007, 11:28 PM	#1
insanefishguy Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Palo Alto, PA Posts: 822	Redoing my 55, looking for advice Ok, so I finally got my hands on a 55 and I am now in the planning stages of redoing my tank. It is a small upgrade from a 40 long to the 55 but the biggest thing is that I am going to get the 55 drilled. I have been contemplating a few things that I would like to bounce off you guys for some feedback and advice. The first thing is substrate. I started the tank with crushed coral and that needs to go. What are your thoughts between barebottom vs. sand. If I go bare, whats the best place to get that starboard from? Thats kinda what Im leaning towards. The other thing I wanted to do was do a small closed loop and have the output of the loop go through a spraybar along the bottom back of the tank to keep the detritus from collecting behind the rocks. I wanted to split the input between two bulkheads so that there was not too much flow at one to suck my critters against the strainer. Does anyone know how safe it is to drill 5 holes in the back of a 55 though. I worry that will take away from the integrety of the glass and it may break from the water pressure. Any and all input is welcome since I am in the planning stages. Thanks much, Joe