55g tank startup - college project Q1

ben&bobbi · 10/19/2008, 07:01 PM

OK, hopefully you have read my original post, but this is for a college project where we are setting up how to maintain a saltwater aquarium.

We have a 55g predrilled tank, basic tank, nothing fancy. We believe we need to start out with fish only and i recommend live rock. After all, this is a beginners tank.

Question 1
What equipment do we need?

tmcgaughey · 10/19/2008, 07:07 PM

Do you want a sump? It's already drilled for it but I'll make a list for one without

Heaters - you only need one but I'd say go for two incase one goes out
Lighting - something basic to light with. look at either PC or T-5
Skimmer - one that hangs on the back?
Water movement - I heart korilias

that should be a start. You could do it without a skimmer but I'd atleast get a small crappy one - beats not having one in my book.

sdc19982002 · 10/20/2008, 09:32 AM

If your avatar is your tank design I'm assuming you have a sump. Use the best skimmer you can afford octopus,remora...the same goes with lighting, T-5 is what I would do 250 watt or up.60-70# live rock and 2-maxi jet 1200's with the sure flo mod.

ben&bobbi · 10/20/2008, 10:47 AM

thanks for the input so far. this is not the tank in my avatar or signature, this is just gathering information for a college project. We are looking for opinions and suggestions. from this, we will compile a shopping list and gather costs, etc.

thanks and keep the info coming!

10/19/2008, 07:01 PM	#1
ben&bobbi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: mims, fl Posts: 1,063	55g tank startup - college project Q1 OK, hopefully you have read my original post, but this is for a college project where we are setting up how to maintain a saltwater aquarium. We have a 55g predrilled tank, basic tank, nothing fancy. We believe we need to start out with fish only and i recommend live rock. After all, this is a beginners tank. Question 1 What equipment do we need?

10/19/2008, 07:07 PM	#2
tmcgaughey Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 353	Do you want a sump? It's already drilled for it but I'll make a list for one without Heaters - you only need one but I'd say go for two incase one goes out Lighting - something basic to light with. look at either PC or T-5 Skimmer - one that hangs on the back? Water movement - I heart korilias that should be a start. You could do it without a skimmer but I'd atleast get a small crappy one - beats not having one in my book.

10/20/2008, 09:32 AM	#3
sdc19982002 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wills Point,Texas Posts: 925	If your avatar is your tank design I'm assuming you have a sump. Use the best skimmer you can afford octopus,remora...the same goes with lighting, T-5 is what I would do 250 watt or up.60-70# live rock and 2-maxi jet 1200's with the sure flo mod.

10/20/2008, 10:47 AM	#4
ben&bobbi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: mims, fl Posts: 1,063	thanks for the input so far. this is not the tank in my avatar or signature, this is just gathering information for a college project. We are looking for opinions and suggestions. from this, we will compile a shopping list and gather costs, etc. thanks and keep the info coming!