Newbie getting started this winter, help wanted.

Tail3736 · 09/11/2009, 06:49 PM

Hello.
My name is Will, though some may know me as thedaniokeeper and I'm just getting started. I've done lots and lots and lots of research, but i'm left with some questions. I'm turning my 55 gallon fresh into a FOWLR and eventually reef once I get a larger tank to move my 7" common pleco and the tanks other inhabitants. I have the lighting, and will get the filtration (skimmer, powerheads and canister, right?) when I move to salt. I've been browsing around, and my current plan is:

TANK AND ACCESSORIES
55 gallon aquarium, standard dimensions (48x13x19")
850gph powerhead
55 gallon appropriate canister filter
55 gallon appropriate skimmer
250 watt heater
Standart flourescent lights, will upgrade to Moderate Lighting (need advice here, I can't go over 200$)
50lbs of aquarium sand, black

Fish:
To start i'd like a small school of chromis.
x2 fuzzy dwarf lionfish
x2 royal gramma

Mobile inverts:
x4 turbo snails
x1 tiger cowrie

How's the list? My equipment is already sorted out, do marine fish need a night light? Anyhoo, my favorite SW fish are Lions, so I would like some fuzzies in the final plan. The cowrie is also a preference of mine, though I understand it will limit me from soft coral and sponges/anemones in the future.

Once I get comfortable, i'd get some corals and work on turning it into a reef display.
Sessile inverts:
Lots of Zoans
A bunch of mushrooms
A few LPS hard corals
Later I would like to add a clam

Michael · 09/11/2009, 11:51 PM

hey will

the fish choice wont work in a 55 gallon, although its not unheard of, royal grammas wont fair well together in there, its a little small for 2 territories, id also forget the canister and go for 2 powerheads instead of the canister and 1 powerhead your planning,also get a skimmer rated at around 100 gallons as they are always overrated,don't just get standard lighting, go straight for a t5 unit, standard tubes are a waste of money imo,also personally id go with a dry medium grade aragonite sand and around 40-60 pounds of live rock as well, best of luck with the new venture.

To Reef Central

IridescentLily · 09/12/2009, 12:07 AM

I agree with Michael, and get the best skimmer you can possibly afford. That's one piece of equipment that is important. Lights next, as Michael says.
Flow (pump and/or powerheads)is next on list of importance.
I came from a freshwater tank also, then salt water fish with rock for many years, and currently I'll be starting my first reef with corals.
I used a giant canister filter back in the day, with the fish only tanks, and it worked well for a particulate filter. But this was used in addition to a skimmer and all other filtration equipment, not as a main source of filtration.
I used it for both carbon and filter sponge. And I replaced the media religously. I had to or it would become a nitrate sink.

Good luck, ask lots of questions! :-)

susan92368 · 09/12/2009, 12:12 AM

Rethink the black sand, its very hard to keep clean looking. Welcome!

Tail3736 · 09/12/2009, 06:28 AM

Aight, thanks for the responses, I have a little more to fire off:
1:The standard lighting is what's already on the tank, i'll be getting some fancier stuff as I move into corals.

2: OK, I can ditch the gramma, but I would really like at least one fuzzy dwarf lionfish. lions have been one of my favorite fish since I started the hobby. I xcould ditch the chromis too, though i'd like some shoalers.

3: As far as the rest of the stocklist, what would you recommend?

eric@tampa · 09/12/2009, 06:43 AM

lions will eat anything that will fit in its mouth and they don't stay small for long even the dwarfs jmo the chromis won't last too long after fuzzy get a groth spurt

EnglishRebel · 09/12/2009, 08:23 AM

Do you intend to have the tank drilled for an overflow (recommended)? If not then I suggest that you do exhaustive research on HOB overflows as the wrong choice can cause a major flood if the syphon fails. I would recommend that you look at these. LifeReef

Tail3736 · 09/12/2009, 09:52 AM

I learned today that my LFS has sump filter with skimmers, designed for 75 gallons, along with a setup guide. should I do this instead of the canister?

Tail3736 · 09/12/2009, 04:34 PM

BmPu

Zestay · 09/12/2009, 05:18 PM

yes a skimmer is a much better than a canister filter.
canister filters have very little place in the salt water hobby, however others will argue.

check out a nova extreme for your lights
heres a link http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...0&pcatid=16770

its in your budget and a decent set up =) id look at the 216 watt set up ( well its a few dollars over your budget but worth it )

and lion fish are a bad idea in a 55g they get to big

reefqueef · 09/12/2009, 06:02 PM

zestay is spot on with the light recomendation current makes a great product. However if you want to keep a clam you might want to spend the extra cash and go with the sundial pendant clams love lots o light but if you go with metal halide heat can be an issue. it seems everything in this hobby is a compromise.

Macimage · 09/12/2009, 09:42 PM

Yes, get the sump and skimmer. I'd also recommend that you purchase live rock or dead rock and seed it with some live rock.

Good lighting, water movement and skimming are all important for a successful reef setup.

The lion will get too big for a 55 and also eat your smaller fish.

Good luck!
Joyce

Tail3736 · 09/13/2009, 05:02 AM

Other than a fuzzy dwarf lionfish (which seems outta the question) what would you recommend?

austinh · 09/13/2009, 07:09 AM

i agree with everyone else...skimmer,lights, and livesand or rock, are all a must. as most of us in the hobby will tell you that we started with the minimal that would do, only to find that we were buying something better within a few months, saving money for the best equipment you can get will save you money in the long run

kikireef · 09/13/2009, 07:58 AM

I would agree with austinh. I purchase PC bulbs about 7 months ago and am not in the market for halide lighting and t12VHO bulbs. It would be more worthwhile in the longrun to peice together the equipment slowly and then start it up once you have everything you need. If you start with the bare minimum you will be playing catchup to get equipment while also trying to maintain and stock the tank. It's easier to take it slow while there is nothing to maintain. As far as a sump and skimmer go I would highly recommned both which then causes me to highly recommend drilling the tank. Relying on a siphon could be risky if it breaks and causes a flood which will happen at some time and likely when your not home. lol. As far as your lfs selling a combo pack and a "setup guide" it sounds like good marketing for noobs. no offense. I would recommend looking into a sump that will fit your stand and the best skimmer that you can afford that will fit your sump. Take your time to do it right the first time. You will be glad you did. Good Luck!!!

kikireef · 09/13/2009, 07:59 AM

"I am now in the market" is what that is supposed to say

Tail3736 · 09/13/2009, 10:49 AM

The reason for lower lights is the fact that I already have some. Any recommendations for STOCK?

09/11/2009, 06:49 PM	#1
Tail3736 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 6	Newbie getting started this winter, help wanted. Hello. My name is Will, though some may know me as thedaniokeeper and I'm just getting started. I've done lots and lots and lots of research, but i'm left with some questions. I'm turning my 55 gallon fresh into a FOWLR and eventually reef once I get a larger tank to move my 7" common pleco and the tanks other inhabitants. I have the lighting, and will get the filtration (skimmer, powerheads and canister, right?) when I move to salt. I've been browsing around, and my current plan is: TANK AND ACCESSORIES 55 gallon aquarium, standard dimensions (48x13x19") 850gph powerhead 55 gallon appropriate canister filter 55 gallon appropriate skimmer 250 watt heater Standart flourescent lights, will upgrade to Moderate Lighting (need advice here, I can't go over 200$) 50lbs of aquarium sand, black Fish: To start i'd like a small school of chromis. x2 fuzzy dwarf lionfish x2 royal gramma Mobile inverts: x4 turbo snails x1 tiger cowrie How's the list? My equipment is already sorted out, do marine fish need a night light? Anyhoo, my favorite SW fish are Lions, so I would like some fuzzies in the final plan. The cowrie is also a preference of mine, though I understand it will limit me from soft coral and sponges/anemones in the future. Once I get comfortable, i'd get some corals and work on turning it into a reef display. Sessile inverts: Lots of Zoans A bunch of mushrooms A few LPS hard corals Later I would like to add a clam

09/11/2009, 11:51 PM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	hey will the fish choice wont work in a 55 gallon, although its not unheard of, royal grammas wont fair well together in there, its a little small for 2 territories, id also forget the canister and go for 2 powerheads instead of the canister and 1 powerhead your planning,also get a skimmer rated at around 100 gallons as they are always overrated,don't just get standard lighting, go straight for a t5 unit, standard tubes are a waste of money imo,also personally id go with a dry medium grade aragonite sand and around 40-60 pounds of live rock as well, best of luck with the new venture. *To Reef Central* __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

09/12/2009, 12:07 AM	#3
IridescentLily Editor-Reefkeeping mag Join Date: May 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 3,858 Blog Entries: 5	I agree with Michael, and get the best skimmer you can possibly afford. That's one piece of equipment that is important. Lights next, as Michael says. Flow (pump and/or powerheads)is next on list of importance. I came from a freshwater tank also, then salt water fish with rock for many years, and currently I'll be starting my first reef with corals. I used a giant canister filter back in the day, with the fish only tanks, and it worked well for a particulate filter. But this was used in addition to a skimmer and all other filtration equipment, not as a main source of filtration. I used it for both carbon and filter sponge. And I replaced the media religously. I had to or it would become a nitrate sink. Good luck, ask lots of questions! :-) __________________ ~April Editor-Reefkeeping Magazine Last edited by IridescentLily; 09/12/2009 at 12:17 AM.

09/12/2009, 06:28 AM	#5
Tail3736 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 6	Aight, thanks for the responses, I have a little more to fire off: 1:The standard lighting is what's already on the tank, i'll be getting some fancier stuff as I move into corals. 2: OK, I can ditch the gramma, but I would really like at least one fuzzy dwarf lionfish. lions have been one of my favorite fish since I started the hobby. I xcould ditch the chromis too, though i'd like some shoalers. 3: As far as the rest of the stocklist, what would you recommend? Last edited by Tail3736; 09/12/2009 at 06:52 AM.

09/12/2009, 08:23 AM	#7
EnglishRebel Retired Rebel Reefer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Triad NC Posts: 1,902	Do you intend to have the tank drilled for an overflow (recommended)? If not then I suggest that you do exhaustive research on HOB overflows as the wrong choice can cause a major flood if the syphon fails. I would recommend that you look at these. LifeReef __________________ Alan "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. " Sir Winston Churchill praising those young RAF pilots. August 20th 1940 Click on my name for drop down list and select "Visit EnglishRebels Home Page" for my build thread. Current Tank Info: 60x30x24 200G AO custom glass tank, basement equipment room, 30G and 55G Fuges, LifeReef sump & 30" skimmer.

09/12/2009, 12:12 AM	#4
susan92368 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Macomb, MI Posts: 79	Rethink the black sand, its very hard to keep clean looking. Welcome!

09/12/2009, 06:43 AM	#6
eric@tampa Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa,Fla Posts: 322	lions will eat anything that will fit in its mouth and they don't stay small for long even the dwarfs jmo the chromis won't last too long after fuzzy get a groth spurt

09/12/2009, 09:52 AM	#8
Tail3736 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 6	I learned today that my LFS has sump filter with skimmers, designed for 75 gallons, along with a setup guide. should I do this instead of the canister?

09/12/2009, 04:34 PM	#9
Tail3736 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 6	BmPu

09/12/2009, 05:18 PM	#10
Zestay Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: gainesville, FL Posts: 1,622	yes a skimmer is a much better than a canister filter. canister filters have very little place in the salt water hobby, however others will argue. check out a nova extreme for your lights heres a link http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...0&pcatid=16770 its in your budget and a decent set up =) id look at the 216 watt set up ( well its a few dollars over your budget but worth it ) and lion fish are a bad idea in a 55g they get to big

09/12/2009, 06:02 PM	#11
reefqueef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 60	zestay is spot on with the light recomendation current makes a great product. However if you want to keep a clam you might want to spend the extra cash and go with the sundial pendant clams love lots o light but if you go with metal halide heat can be an issue. it seems everything in this hobby is a compromise.

09/12/2009, 09:42 PM	#12
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	Yes, get the sump and skimmer. I'd also recommend that you purchase live rock or dead rock and seed it with some live rock. Good lighting, water movement and skimming are all important for a successful reef setup. The lion will get too big for a 55 and also eat your smaller fish. Good luck! Joyce

09/13/2009, 05:02 AM	#13
Tail3736 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 6	Other than a fuzzy dwarf lionfish (which seems outta the question) what would you recommend?

09/13/2009, 07:09 AM	#14
austinh Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nc Posts: 141	i agree with everyone else...skimmer,lights, and livesand or rock, are all a must. as most of us in the hobby will tell you that we started with the minimal that would do, only to find that we were buying something better within a few months, saving money for the best equipment you can get will save you money in the long run

09/13/2009, 07:58 AM	#15
kikireef Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chino at The Preserve Posts: 1,107	I would agree with austinh. I purchase PC bulbs about 7 months ago and am not in the market for halide lighting and t12VHO bulbs. It would be more worthwhile in the longrun to peice together the equipment slowly and then start it up once you have everything you need. If you start with the bare minimum you will be playing catchup to get equipment while also trying to maintain and stock the tank. It's easier to take it slow while there is nothing to maintain. As far as a sump and skimmer go I would highly recommned both which then causes me to highly recommend drilling the tank. Relying on a siphon could be risky if it breaks and causes a flood which will happen at some time and likely when your not home. lol. As far as your lfs selling a combo pack and a "setup guide" it sounds like good marketing for noobs. no offense. I would recommend looking into a sump that will fit your stand and the best skimmer that you can afford that will fit your sump. Take your time to do it right the first time. You will be glad you did. Good Luck!!! __________________ Keith SCMAS Member Tank Info: 120 gallon 48"x30"x20" Leemar Rimless. 2 MP40w, 1 MP10w, SROsss Skimmer, ATI Sunpower 8x54w, Neptune Apex Controller with WXM module. 2 BRS dosing pumps. Check my homepage for the build...

09/13/2009, 07:59 AM	#16
kikireef Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chino at The Preserve Posts: 1,107	"I am now in the market" is what that is supposed to say __________________ Keith SCMAS Member Tank Info: 120 gallon 48"x30"x20" Leemar Rimless. 2 MP40w, 1 MP10w, SROsss Skimmer, ATI Sunpower 8x54w, Neptune Apex Controller with WXM module. 2 BRS dosing pumps. Check my homepage for the build...

09/13/2009, 10:49 AM	#17
Tail3736 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 6	The reason for lower lights is the fact that I already have some. Any recommendations for STOCK?