Simplified story/Questions...

Aquahollic · 02/26/2011, 05:22 PM

The scoop:

I just impulsively bought a 55g established bare bones setup for super cheap on CL and am now obligated to the hobby =) I have a number of FW planted tanks but have never setup a SW tank...

The setup I purchased includes a 2x65w? CF fixture, HOB protien skimmer, 300w heater, and a Fluval 305. It has some livestock, and aboult 60lb of live rock, and a 2'' base of live sand... Guy I bought it from said he had it running for about 5 years...

I plan on growing corals and will be upgrading to a 4x54w T5HO fixture mounted in a canopy about 6'' above the water surface. Then eventually upgrading the protien skimmer.

The questions:

With the preceeding story in mind, I have a few questions I'm hoping to get answered if anyone is up for it...

1) I know a 4x54w fixture is overkill for a planted tank, but it should be about right for the 55g reef right?

2) How do water changes vary from a FW setup? I do 50% WC every week on my FW tanks, should I be doing the same?

3) The live rock that came with the tank is an eye sore, would it be a suggestion to purchase some nice new LR before purchasing corals?

4) What options are there as far as a refugium is concerened, with a tempered glass 55g that can not be drilled?

6) Would anyone be willing to provide a quick simplistic breakdown of the routine steps taken to upkeep and maintain your reef?

I know I'm asking a lot, but if anyone could reply an asnwer to any of these questions it would be much appreciated... Thanks for reading!

Poomba · 02/26/2011, 05:34 PM

1. Yes 4x 54w should be fine.
2. I think 50 percent every week would be over kill, but I believe its all dependent on water change.
3. New live rock could start a cycle if it was uncured. Divers Den sells live cultured live rock that has been sitting in their coral raceways for thirty days, so I think you would be ok adding that.
4. HOB overflow is the only option if the sides are tempered, which I think of 55s they are.

02/26/2011, 05:22 PM	#1
Aquahollic Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 4	Simplified story/Questions... The scoop: I just impulsively bought a 55g established bare bones setup for super cheap on CL and am now obligated to the hobby =) I have a number of FW planted tanks but have never setup a SW tank... The setup I purchased includes a 2x65w? CF fixture, HOB protien skimmer, 300w heater, and a Fluval 305. It has some livestock, and aboult 60lb of live rock, and a 2'' base of live sand... Guy I bought it from said he had it running for about 5 years... I plan on growing corals and will be upgrading to a 4x54w T5HO fixture mounted in a canopy about 6'' above the water surface. Then eventually upgrading the protien skimmer. The questions: With the preceeding story in mind, I have a few questions I'm hoping to get answered if anyone is up for it... 1) I know a 4x54w fixture is overkill for a planted tank, but it should be about right for the 55g reef right? 2) How do water changes vary from a FW setup? I do 50% WC every week on my FW tanks, should I be doing the same? 3) The live rock that came with the tank is an eye sore, would it be a suggestion to purchase some nice new LR before purchasing corals? 4) What options are there as far as a refugium is concerened, with a tempered glass 55g that can not be drilled? 6) Would anyone be willing to provide a quick simplistic breakdown of the routine steps taken to upkeep and maintain your reef? I know I'm asking a lot, but if anyone could reply an asnwer to any of these questions it would be much appreciated... Thanks for reading!

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02/26/2011, 05:34 PM	#2
Poomba Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 164	1. Yes 4x 54w should be fine. 2. I think 50 percent every week would be over kill, but I believe its all dependent on water change. 3. New live rock could start a cycle if it was uncured. Divers Den sells live cultured live rock that has been sitting in their coral raceways for thirty days, so I think you would be ok adding that. 4. HOB overflow is the only option if the sides are tempered, which I think of 55s they are.