Planning set up, could use some advice

[RG21]

Hello, i am new to this forum, and i am seeking advice on my first saltwater setup. I have read and read and now it is time to get a bit more specific.

I currently have a 55gal tank, i have a canister filter but i don't know if i am going to use it yet.

I plan on using a sump to house my skimmer, heater, etc.

i plan on using live aragonite sand for the substrate

I like many other people would eventually like to have a reef tank, but i do not think i possess the knowledge to do that quite yet. I am thinking i want to set up a FOWLR system and i just have a few questions. Any help is appreciated.
im trying to put together a checklist of things to go buy so any suggestions are welcomed as well. here they go:

1. How hard is it to convert a FOWLR into a reef tank, and do you recommend starting with a FOWLR instead of reef?

2. I plan on using a sump to house my skimmer, heater, etc. Assuming that i will convert to a reef later, should i just use a refugium instead? are refugiums required for a healthy reef tank?

3. For a 55 gal tank, what size tank should my sump/refugium be rated for in case of power outage? i will drill syphon breaks too.

4. I need a good recommendation on an overflow. I have heard the ones with the U tubes are best, is this true? and what gph should it be rated for a 55gal tank?

5. What lighting is my best bet?

thank you very much for your time i am learning as much as i can, so i thought id go straight to the source.

-rg21

[phenom5]

Originally Posted by RG21

1. How hard is it to convert a FOWLR into a reef tank, and do you recommend starting with a FOWLR instead of reef?

I would recommend setting up the tank as you would a reef. It's not to difficult to convert from FOWLR to reef, but it's more costly. You'll end up spending more up front, but in the long run you'll save because you won't be buying things twice.

Originally Posted by RG21

2. I plan on using a sump to house my skimmer, heater, etc. Assuming that i will convert to a reef later, should i just use a refugium instead? are refugiums required for a healthy reef tank?

You can use a refugium, or not. I personally don't run a fuge on my reef. The decision is yours, but there's no reason you can't section off part of your sump and start running a fuge with a FOWLR.

Originally Posted by RG21

3. For a 55 gal tank, what size tank should my sump/refugium be rated for in case of power outage? i will drill syphon breaks too.

Get a sump that's as big as you can fit. 55's are tough because they're so narrow. You might be able to fit a 20g long under there, but you might not depending on how your stand is built. You want enough room for the water to drain out of you plumbing, plus how much every drains out of your display once your siphon breaks.

I run the water level in my sump at 7", which is good for my skimmer, and leaves me plenty of room for when I shut off the return. I also have enough room to drain my overflow into my sump (something you don't really have to worry about if you're going with an HOB overflow).

Originally Posted by RG21

4. I need a good recommendation on an overflow. I have heard the ones with the U tubes are best, is this true? and what gph should it be rated for a 55gal tank?

Lifereef makes the most reliable HOB overflow I've seen. Don't have much experience with HOB overflows, so I'm not too much help there. My father in law ran a Lifereef overflow on his tank for years, and it always started right up.

Originally Posted by RG21

5. What lighting is my best bet?

Hard to say. T5's can give you tons of light (with a quality fixture/ reflectors) with less heat than metal halides. Metal halides give you tons of intensity and a really good overall look, but run hot & use a good amount of electricity. I'm really impressed with what I'm seeing with LEDs, but they're expensive. IMO T5's will give you a good amount of flexibility, and there are several decent quality fixtures available for a decent price.

Hope that helps

[rayn]

I have a 55 set up now as a reef. What I started with for my first saltwater experience. I used a 20l for my sump and thought I measured everything correctly, which I did. Just didn't account for trying to get it under the stand while the tank was full. If your tank is empty try fitting a sump under there before setting it all up.
If going with a sump might as well set up a fuge, skimmer, return section all at once if your going to do it, kinda hard to silicone when there is water running through it.
For the overflow I am using a eshopps pf800 rated for a 125 gallon tank with a rio 2100 return pump. Works flawlessly and I have needed to throttle either one back a bit.
As for lighting, T5 will probably be your best bet on a 55. I am running the aquaticlife 4 bulb system. I went with it as it came with two 700+, two 420/460 actinic, and 4 dual leds moonlights. All on one timer, and only one cord to run. +- 300 bucks depending on where you find it or order it. If you can find one used it would probably be cheaper, just watch your bulb par value.
Also, just so you have a idea. I'm running the eshopps psk100 skimmer as well. Took a little bit of adjusting, but now it pulls really thick gunk out, and is working great.

If you want any pics PM me and I'll give you anything your looking for.

[RG21]

Originally Posted by phenom5

I would recommend setting up the tank as you would a reef. It's not to difficult to convert from FOWLR to reef, but it's more costly. You'll end up spending more up front, but in the long run you'll save because you won't be buying things twice.




You can use a refugium, or not. I personally don't run a fuge on my reef. The decision is yours, but there's no reason you can't section off part of your sump and start running a fuge with a FOWLR.



Get a sump that's as big as you can fit. 55's are tough because they're so narrow. You might be able to fit a 20g long under there, but you might not depending on how your stand is built. You want enough room for the water to drain out of you plumbing, plus how much every drains out of your display once your siphon breaks.

I run the water level in my sump at 7", which is good for my skimmer, and leaves me plenty of room for when I shut off the return. I also have enough room to drain my overflow into my sump (something you don't really have to worry about if you're going with an HOB overflow).



Lifereef makes the most reliable HOB overflow I've seen. Don't have much experience with HOB overflows, so I'm not too much help there. My father in law ran a Lifereef overflow on his tank for years, and it always started right up.



Hard to say. T5's can give you tons of light (with a quality fixture/ reflectors) with less heat than metal halides. Metal halides give you tons of intensity and a really good overall look, but run hot & use a good amount of electricity. I'm really impressed with what I'm seeing with LEDs, but they're expensive. IMO T5's will give you a good amount of flexibility, and there are several decent quality fixtures available for a decent price.

Hope that helps

thank you that helps a lot. So my next question is:

if i had a sump (with protein skimmer), what other of filtration would i still need to support a reef tank?

is my canister even useful? and if so, how do i incorporate it into my system, with the display tank or the sump?

[rayn]

No other filteration is needed if you go with live rock. It is your biological filter. You could use your canister as a GFO filter, but you have to clean it, say every week, to keep the nitrates down when doing a reef.

[RG21]

Originally Posted by rayn

No other filteration is needed if you go with live rock. It is your biological filter. You could use your canister as a GFO filter, but you have to clean it, say every week, to keep the nitrates down when doing a reef.

are you referring to the live rock in my display tank?

so there is no further mechanical filtration needed?

[slumlord]

Originally Posted by RG21

are you referring to the live rock in my display tank?

so there is no further mechanical filtration needed?

The live rock in your tank and your sump/fuge will provide plenty of biological filtration.

[RG21]

thank you . ill now head over to the other parts of the forums to learn how to set this up, head calc, flood prevention, etc..

its pretty overwhelming so thanks again for the advice.


-rg21

[GhostCon1]

Head over to http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html to get a decent knowledge of how sumps work.

I suggest starting FOWLR, then converting to reef once you get all the basics down pat. It can be very frustrating to start out as a newbie and lose a $75 stick that was only an inch long.

[Scuba_Steve]

Here is my advise.

Buy what you want from the start. No sense wasting money for a temp solution. I advise at least a 4x 54w T5 light if not a 6x54w.

Dont be afraid of corals, assuming you have the light mentioned above. Stick with easy ones. I recommend some zoas to start you out after your cycle finishes.

Get the lagest sump possible. 20 long is prob your best bet.

If you dont have your tank already, look into a bigger one. a 75 or 90g with a built in overflow. 55s are to narrow, and HOB overflows are a risk...

Ditch the canister; live rock , a skimmer, and plenty of flow is all you need.

Make sure your using RO/DI water. This is the area you dont want to skimp out on. I would chose it over a skimmer any day...