advice needed on new reef what should I keep what should I add...

dbreef · 01/01/2008, 09:26 PM

ok what i have and what i am getting....

currently i am running all my stuff from my 29 gallon wannabe reef in my new 55 gallon tank and all seems fine but I am ordering the following to replace the filtration which is with links:

skimmer

filter 1

proquatics 120

Current Usa 48 inch light

budget tank/stand

well then a old heater that is holding temp's at 78 degrees F.
Also the tank is 55 inch.

and I plan on putting in:

Hang on reefugium for a generic Sump

New Heater

canister filter

Well thats what I am doing at this point any suggestions would be great right now before the new stuff comes the tank is workin great o yah my sand LOL is working great, my mono and yellow tang along with a white snail and a black snail with 2 hermit crabs are doin awesome with it any feedback would be great!!
O yah thats right 100 lbs. of kids playground sand!!
It is:

2 bags for my reef floor accented with mexican reef rock 2 fiji rocks a dead polyp frag

kau_cinta_ku · 01/01/2008, 10:15 PM

you want this 55gal. to become a reef? if so this is what I would do. with the stuff you have, sell all but the light, the rest is not needed for a reef except for the skimmer but you will have to upgrade to a good quality skimmer. the lights will be good for softies, leathers and zoas. the fuge is a good add on and a heater is always good(I just don't trust aquatraders) and the canister filter also not needed.

the main filtration for a reef is 1.5-2lbs of LR per gal. and a good skimmer.

also you don't mention what you have for flow. I would either get some korilla's, or some mjmods.

ILoveReefer · 01/01/2008, 10:23 PM

If you want a reef tank the mechanical filtration isn't necessary. However adding a power head and upgrading to a light fixture with more power wouldn't hurt. Cant comment on that protein skimmer, I don't know anything about that manufacturer. And no canister filters. For filtration all you need is a good protein skimmer and live rock.

Rustylugnuts · 01/01/2008, 10:33 PM

First off Welcome to RC!
I'm not tryin to be a downer but you may need to revise your plan just a bit. I agree with the prevoius posters I second (3rd?) the koralias a pair of 4's would do the trick nicely. I would highly recomend that you take the 100g, if you get it, to the glass shop and have it drilled for the purpose of using a sump. (the 55 would be great for a sump). For the rock LOTS more will be needed if you get to upsize. So to save money get base rock (Its much cheaper to buy and ship). Eco rox and marco rocks have both generated happy customers. As for the skimmer I would get the best you can afford euro-reef comes highly recomended but I think the octopus skimmers do well enough. HTH oh yea and read the 1st time on RC sticky at the top of this forum (goldmine for reefers young and old).

Rustylugnuts · 01/01/2008, 10:34 PM

4s may be too much for the 55 (2's or 3's there) save those for the 100 if you snag it.

dbreef · 01/02/2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kau_cinta_ku

also you don't mention what you have for flow. I would either get some korilla's, or some mjmods.

o yah I am running these for circulation:

Powerhead 201 on the right side

and:

Koralia 1 on the left side

Also do you see any issues I might have with the playground sand?

Rustylugnuts · 01/02/2008, 02:01 PM

There might be a some trouble w/diatoms but I have heard of play sand working pretty well. Some playsands have iron(test w/magnet) . I don't know what effect the iron would have in a reef maybe someone can chime in and clear things up.

01/01/2008, 09:26 PM	#1
dbreef Moved On Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 314	advice needed on new reef what should I keep what should I add... ok what i have and what i am getting.... currently i am running all my stuff from my 29 gallon wannabe reef in my new 55 gallon tank and all seems fine but I am ordering the following to replace the filtration which is with links: skimmer filter 1 proquatics 120 Current Usa 48 inch light budget tank/stand well then a old heater that is holding temp's at 78 degrees F. Also the tank is 55 inch. and I plan on putting in: Hang on reefugium for a generic Sump New Heater canister filter Well thats what I am doing at this point any suggestions would be great right now before the new stuff comes the tank is workin great o yah my sand LOL is working great, my mono and yellow tang along with a white snail and a black snail with 2 hermit crabs are doin awesome with it any feedback would be great!! O yah thats right 100 lbs. of kids playground sand!! It is: 2 bags for my reef floor accented with mexican reef rock 2 fiji rocks a dead polyp frag

01/01/2008, 10:33 PM	#4
Rustylugnuts Powdered Toast Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 813	First off Welcome to RC! I'm not tryin to be a downer but you may need to revise your plan just a bit. I agree with the prevoius posters I second (3rd?) the koralias a pair of 4's would do the trick nicely. I would highly recomend that you take the 100g, if you get it, to the glass shop and have it drilled for the purpose of using a sump. (the 55 would be great for a sump). For the rock LOTS more will be needed if you get to upsize. So to save money get base rock (Its much cheaper to buy and ship). Eco rox and marco rocks have both generated happy customers. As for the skimmer I would get the best you can afford euro-reef comes highly recomended but I think the octopus skimmers do well enough. HTH oh yea and read the 1st time on RC sticky at the top of this forum (goldmine for reefers young and old). __________________ And now back to my regularly scheduled lurking. Drill It! Current Tank Info: Buncha parts and tanks of various size. Nothing currently running :(

01/01/2008, 10:34 PM	#5
Rustylugnuts Powdered Toast Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 813	4s may be too much for the 55 (2's or 3's there) save those for the 100 if you snag it. __________________ And now back to my regularly scheduled lurking. Drill It! Current Tank Info: Buncha parts and tanks of various size. Nothing currently running :(

01/02/2008, 02:01 PM	#7
Rustylugnuts Powdered Toast Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 813	There might be a some trouble w/diatoms but I have heard of play sand working pretty well. Some playsands have iron(test w/magnet) . I don't know what effect the iron would have in a reef maybe someone can chime in and clear things up. __________________ And now back to my regularly scheduled lurking. Drill It! Current Tank Info: Buncha parts and tanks of various size. Nothing currently running :(

01/01/2008, 10:15 PM	#2
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	you want this 55gal. to become a reef? if so this is what I would do. with the stuff you have, sell all but the light, the rest is not needed for a reef except for the skimmer but you will have to upgrade to a good quality skimmer. the lights will be good for softies, leathers and zoas. the fuge is a good add on and a heater is always good(I just don't trust aquatraders) and the canister filter also not needed. the main filtration for a reef is 1.5-2lbs of LR per gal. and a good skimmer. also you don't mention what you have for flow. I would either get some korilla's, or some mjmods.

01/01/2008, 10:23 PM	#3
ILoveReefer Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cheektowaga Posts: 851	If you want a reef tank the mechanical filtration isn't necessary. However adding a power head and upgrading to a light fixture with more power wouldn't hurt. Cant comment on that protein skimmer, I don't know anything about that manufacturer. And no canister filters. For filtration all you need is a good protein skimmer and live rock.