new tank few questions

aquascum · 11/09/2011, 01:48 PM

i have attached a picture of my tank is a 55 gallon 48x12x20 it has been running for just over 2 weeks

1. i have decide to switch from live sand to crusched coral from reading up on them it seems like cruched coral is alot cleaner and dose not mess up your filters is it a better way to go ? also if i do the swicth do i have to start the waiting period all over?

2. i am haveing a very hard time trying to pick the right protien skimmer it seems very 50/50 reviews between the 2 i am set on wich are the aqua c remora and the reef octopus bf 2000 any advice on wich one you feel would be better for my size of tank or just in general wich one you think is better and why would be a great help

3.i plan on fish only tank for first couple years to make sure i got the hang of it and i keep getting told different storeys so as you can see from the picture i have a hood that holds 2 17 inch bulbs one on each side i know i need to get t5 bulbs (i think) but is this enough or do i need to get rid of the hood?

this is my first tank so i am really new to all of this any exrta adivce you are willing to share would be great thanks in advance

Oldcabin · 11/09/2011, 01:55 PM

Looks like a good start.
1) I would leave the sand. You'll get mixed reviews with crushed coral, and IMO the sand looks better.
2) Reef Octopus 2000 - I run the 1000 on the same tank (standard 55) and am more than happy with it!
3) For fish only what you have will work, but not ideal. For coral you will need the T5's and should probably lose the hood. Glass hoods aren't great for gas exchange.

aaron7405 · 11/09/2011, 05:34 PM

1) leave the sand too, or get another sand with a bigger grain without been chrused coral. Sand looks better and will help you more than chrused coral. if you change it I would wait a period to get any kind of new sindrom on the tank, remember you are changing something and the bacteria has to ajust to the change.

2) Octopus all the way betewn those 2, Remora works on injection and is not as eficient as the nedden whell octopus pump IMO

3.- For Fish only that will work for sure , but I would go with a cheap 2 t5 lamp fish color will pop up better and you my put some zoos and mushroom to star with.

Save some money on the skimmer go with the bh-1000 (pump outside) and the chrused coral. put the diference on a 2 bulb T5 lamp will be a world of diference.

you are going good

EllieSuz · 11/09/2011, 05:41 PM

To Reef Central

Ditto on the crushed coral. I used it when I was first starting out and the process of removing it was not fun. I also agree on the Octopus skimmer, a much better skimmer than the Remora. If, and when, you decide to switch to a reef, your current light won't work, but for now, it's fine. Unfortunately, you can't just put T5 bulbs in the fixture you have. You'll have to buy a whole new unit.

Have you read the permanent threads at the top of this forum? They're called "stickies" because they stay up there where newbies can absorb a whole lot of knowledge passed down by experts.

Stercus Accidit · 11/09/2011, 09:11 PM

Another vote for the Octopus, it's what I am running and love it!

Like everyone else has said, running the lights you have for fish is fine. The light looks a little warm though, maybe get 10,000k bulbs for them. (they are T8's )

Sand is the only option for me...crushed coral looks horrible and is rough on some marine life

GL!

11/09/2011, 05:34 PM	#3
aaron7405 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tucson & Hermosillo Mexico Posts: 780	1) leave the sand too, or get another sand with a bigger grain without been chrused coral. Sand looks better and will help you more than chrused coral. if you change it I would wait a period to get any kind of new sindrom on the tank, remember you are changing something and the bacteria has to ajust to the change. 2) Octopus all the way betewn those 2, Remora works on injection and is not as eficient as the nedden whell octopus pump IMO 3.- For Fish only that will work for sure , but I would go with a cheap 2 t5 lamp fish color will pop up better and you my put some zoos and mushroom to star with. Save some money on the skimmer go with the bh-1000 (pump outside) and the chrused coral. put the diference on a 2 bulb T5 lamp will be a world of diference. you are going good __________________ I would like to find this book "Wife & Marine Aquarium: simple guide how to get each other along" Current Tank Info: In process SPS dominant Solana XL67

11/09/2011, 05:41 PM	#4
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	*To Reef Central* Ditto on the crushed coral. I used it when I was first starting out and the process of removing it was not fun. I also agree on the Octopus skimmer, a much better skimmer than the Remora. If, and when, you decide to switch to a reef, your current light won't work, but for now, it's fine. Unfortunately, you can't just put T5 bulbs in the fixture you have. You'll have to buy a whole new unit. Have you read the permanent threads at the top of this forum? They're called "stickies" because they stay up there where newbies can absorb a whole lot of knowledge passed down by experts. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

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11/09/2011, 01:55 PM	#2
Oldcabin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 132	Looks like a good start. 1) I would leave the sand. You'll get mixed reviews with crushed coral, and IMO the sand looks better. 2) Reef Octopus 2000 - I run the 1000 on the same tank (standard 55) and am more than happy with it! 3) For fish only what you have will work, but not ideal. For coral you will need the T5's and should probably lose the hood. Glass hoods aren't great for gas exchange.

11/09/2011, 09:11 PM	#5
Stercus Accidit Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 85	Another vote for the Octopus, it's what I am running and love it! Like everyone else has said, running the lights you have for fish is fine. The light looks a little warm though, maybe get 10,000k bulbs for them. (they are T8's ) Sand is the only option for me...crushed coral looks horrible and is rough on some marine life GL!