ideas for the perfect setup on a 55 gallon

h2oscubasteve21 · 03/19/2008, 01:11 AM

so i want to start building ny 55 gallon tank..... i want it to be jaw dropping so i am asking what rc has to advise on how and what i should use

Michael · 03/19/2008, 01:17 AM

try reposting on the diy forum, ill bet within a day you will get lots of replies

snulma1 · 03/19/2008, 06:29 AM

My first reef tank was a 55 and here is what I remember wishing I did later....

1. If its not already drilled, get it drilled! Less worries, and looks better

2. Get the biggest sump/fuge you can. The bigger the better so you can hide more of your equipment down there (heaters, skimmer, reactors...etc)

3. Make sure you think about what kind of corals you want before buying lights. I started with PC then realized I wanted SPS, so I had to build a whole new canopy to put in 175w MH's.

risin · 03/19/2008, 07:14 AM

I second the large sump/fuge.

Also, since the day I started my 55 I wish I had better access to my equipment. If you can, try to put your equipment in a garage, closet, basement, or have a large rear access point. It's often hard to find the room though.

twistoflex · 03/19/2008, 07:22 AM

I'm a newbie and started with 55 gal which is a great size. I started with metal halides b/c that whole shimmering light effect, and i wanted clams! My tank has a long way to go before it look like a lot of these show stopping tanks, but you'll salty has that wow factor.

imcosmokramer · 03/19/2008, 08:02 AM

The first thing I would do if I started a 55 gallon would be to see if I could start a 75. It's the same width (48) same height (20) just a little deeper (18 vs 13). The nice thing about it is that you will have more, water, more room in the stand for equipment, therefore a bigger sump (adding more water), bigger refugium, bigger skimmer.

GO SLOW.

Now, whether you can do the 55 or 75, I THIRD getting as large a sump/fuge. Get equipment rated higher than your tank size (so that if you want to upgrade to a 75, you can use the same equipment). Also, getting equipment that is rated higher will reduce the chance that you'll want to replace your equipment with increased bioload.

GO SLOW.

Don't even consider going with a tank that is not Reef Ready. You will be so much happier (plus, you're not going to want to replace your tank once it's set up). It's much safer and cleaner looking.

GO SLOW.

Lights, again, think of what you want in the tank, get lights that will allow you to do that. You don't want to spend $400 on lights, just to find out that you now want $600 light and end up spending double.

GO SLOW.

Just a note, what I just said above WILL HAPPEN. You will want more/bigger/better but a little bit of thinking/planning will reduce the chances.

GO SLOW.

Shop online and look for good prices. I bought my tank/stand locally and I am very happy with them. Other than that ONLINE.

Don't buy live sand. Buy "dead" sand and seed it with live rock and a cup or so of live sand from an established tank. I'm sure people around you will be happy to donate some.

Buy base rock based on size and shape. The base rock will eventually become live, but won't change in shape

Oh yeah, GO SLOW.

k, that's enough for me

A.VOID · 03/19/2008, 08:41 AM

I picked up an established 55 that needed some TLC.

After getting it up and running with my sump, lights etc ...

Two things I would rather have >>>
- Drilled tank. The overflow works fine, but looks less than beautiful.
- A stand that supports a 20 L for my sump. I had a couple braces inside that limited me to a standard 20 gal sump in the stand. The 20 L would have been a better sump setup.

stingythingy45 · 03/19/2008, 10:25 AM

I've been happy with my 55 that's been set up since July 07.
I've been running the tank with a HOB filter and a Bakpak skimmer.So far everything has been healthy and growing just fine.(check my gallery).I've never even registed any nitrates.The narrow tank poses some problems though.As everyone has stated,it's very hard to hide equipment/sump under the stand.It also leaves you with limited room for sand bed in front of your rock wall for smaller frags and display peices.
I'm currently involved in a 70 gallon basement sump build.I figured I would get this in place to make life much easier.
With hopes of later upgrading to a little larger tank.

jackets22 · 03/19/2008, 10:31 AM

the best use of a 55 gal tank is a sump for a 250 gal

coralnub · 03/19/2008, 10:51 AM

I also started out with a 55, but it's just a bad shape for a reef tank. If you can swing it try to get a 75 or a 90. I wound up giving my 55 away.

IMO a 40, 50 or 65 are better also, but if you want to keep tangs or some larger fish these sizes are not really suitable.

Kootch · 03/19/2008, 11:30 AM

I have a 55 currently but I built my own stand to the footprint dimensions of a 75 or 90 gallon with plans to upgrade as soon as I can. This leaves me plenty of room for a sump/fuge inside the cabinet.
I agree with everyone else who says that the depth of a 55 makes it difficult to aquascape. But, as a new guy to the hobby, I think it's a pretty good size tank to get started with and learn on.
Not too big so water changes and maintenance aren't too difficult and not too small so that there are huge swings in parameters.

But that being said, I'm definitely ready for a drilled 75 or 90 after one year with a 55.

03/19/2008, 01:11 AM	#1
h2oscubasteve21 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 9	ideas for the perfect setup on a 55 gallon so i want to start building ny 55 gallon tank..... i want it to be jaw dropping so i am asking what rc has to advise on how and what i should use __________________ never interupt your enemy when they are making a mistake Current Tank Info: i have a 55 gallon Fresh Water tank and a 77 gallon tank in the process of being built...

03/19/2008, 01:17 AM	#2
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	try reposting on the diy forum, ill bet within a day you will get lots of replies __________________ 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)

03/19/2008, 10:25 AM	#8
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	I've been happy with my 55 that's been set up since July 07. I've been running the tank with a HOB filter and a Bakpak skimmer.So far everything has been healthy and growing just fine.(check my gallery).I've never even registed any nitrates.The narrow tank poses some problems though.As everyone has stated,it's very hard to hide equipment/sump under the stand.It also leaves you with limited room for sand bed in front of your rock wall for smaller frags and display peices. I'm currently involved in a 70 gallon basement sump build.I figured I would get this in place to make life much easier. With hopes of later upgrading to a little larger tank. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

03/19/2008, 10:31 AM	#9
jackets22 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 277	the best use of a 55 gal tank is a sump for a 250 gal __________________ Jon __________ Current Tank Info: 75 gal mixed Reef

03/19/2008, 06:29 AM	#3
snulma1 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 2,281	My first reef tank was a 55 and here is what I remember wishing I did later.... 1. If its not already drilled, get it drilled! Less worries, and looks better 2. Get the biggest sump/fuge you can. The bigger the better so you can hide more of your equipment down there (heaters, skimmer, reactors...etc) 3. Make sure you think about what kind of corals you want before buying lights. I started with PC then realized I wanted SPS, so I had to build a whole new canopy to put in 175w MH's.

03/19/2008, 07:14 AM	#4
risin Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 715	I second the large sump/fuge. Also, since the day I started my 55 I wish I had better access to my equipment. If you can, try to put your equipment in a garage, closet, basement, or have a large rear access point. It's often hard to find the room though.

03/19/2008, 07:22 AM	#5
twistoflex Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 26	I'm a newbie and started with 55 gal which is a great size. I started with metal halides b/c that whole shimmering light effect, and i wanted clams! My tank has a long way to go before it look like a lot of these show stopping tanks, but you'll salty has that wow factor.

03/19/2008, 08:02 AM	#6
imcosmokramer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,709	The first thing I would do if I started a 55 gallon would be to see if I could start a 75. It's the same width (48) same height (20) just a little deeper (18 vs 13). The nice thing about it is that you will have more, water, more room in the stand for equipment, therefore a bigger sump (adding more water), bigger refugium, bigger skimmer. GO SLOW. Now, whether you can do the 55 or 75, I THIRD getting as large a sump/fuge. Get equipment rated higher than your tank size (so that if you want to upgrade to a 75, you can use the same equipment). Also, getting equipment that is rated higher will reduce the chance that you'll want to replace your equipment with increased bioload. GO SLOW. Don't even consider going with a tank that is not Reef Ready. You will be so much happier (plus, you're not going to want to replace your tank once it's set up). It's much safer and cleaner looking. GO SLOW. Lights, again, think of what you want in the tank, get lights that will allow you to do that. You don't want to spend $400 on lights, just to find out that you now want $600 light and end up spending double. GO SLOW. Just a note, what I just said above WILL HAPPEN. You will want more/bigger/better but a little bit of thinking/planning will reduce the chances. GO SLOW. Shop online and look for good prices. I bought my tank/stand locally and I am very happy with them. Other than that ONLINE. Don't buy live sand. Buy "dead" sand and seed it with live rock and a cup or so of live sand from an established tank. I'm sure people around you will be happy to donate some. Buy base rock based on size and shape. The base rock will eventually become live, but won't change in shape Oh yeah, GO SLOW. k, that's enough for me

03/19/2008, 08:41 AM	#7
A.VOID Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Columbus Posts: 985	I picked up an established 55 that needed some TLC. After getting it up and running with my sump, lights etc ... Two things I would rather have >>> - Drilled tank. The overflow works fine, but looks less than beautiful. - A stand that supports a 20 L for my sump. I had a couple braces inside that limited me to a standard 20 gal sump in the stand. The 20 L would have been a better sump setup.

03/19/2008, 10:51 AM	#10
coralnub Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 138	I also started out with a 55, but it's just a bad shape for a reef tank. If you can swing it try to get a 75 or a 90. I wound up giving my 55 away. IMO a 40, 50 or 65 are better also, but if you want to keep tangs or some larger fish these sizes are not really suitable.

03/19/2008, 11:30 AM	#11
Kootch Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Burlington, CT Posts: 56	I have a 55 currently but I built my own stand to the footprint dimensions of a 75 or 90 gallon with plans to upgrade as soon as I can. This leaves me plenty of room for a sump/fuge inside the cabinet. I agree with everyone else who says that the depth of a 55 makes it difficult to aquascape. But, as a new guy to the hobby, I think it's a pretty good size tank to get started with and learn on. Not too big so water changes and maintenance aren't too difficult and not too small so that there are huge swings in parameters. But that being said, I'm definitely ready for a drilled 75 or 90 after one year with a 55.