Need a little help

[SIReefer]

NEW TO M.R. Quick Question (actually 2),

I have a 55 gal reef tank. I will be moving next week, must break down tank and wish to upgrade to a 75 gal glass tank that was previously used to house an iguana. Any problems using this tank for a reef tank?
Also I currently use bio balls but I'm wondering if I should stop using, I'm getting different opinions. Any other advice for moving tank is appreciated.
Thanks, SIReefer :wineglass

 

[herman]

Drop the Bioballs. They eventually turn into nitrate factries. Get a skimmer instead. Best investment youll make for the tank. You can use the same sump just dump the bioballs.

And WELCOME TO MR

 

[tomzpc]

No problem using the tank. Just clean it well before hand. You can get rid of the bio-balls IF you have another(better) surface for bacteria. Do you have live rock now and if so how much?

 

[masterswimmer]

SIR, welcome to MR. Using a skimmer along with LR will offer you great filtration and biodiversity (within the LR).

swimmer

 

[SIReefer]

Thanks for the welcome and advice,
I already have a protein skimmer-a Coralife needlewheel skimmer. It works pretty well on the 55 gal (rated for 65 gal). I know I'll have to upgrade after the switch to the 75. I have apx. 85-100 lbs. of Fiji, Marshall & Tonga shelf rock. I know thats a lot for the 55 gal. but in the 75 it should look and work better. I'll also be upgrading to MH lighting soon. My water parameters are ok (not the greatest), but if the nitrates will drop w/o the bioballs, I will remove them.

 

[masterswimmer]

Having 85-100 lbs of LR in your 55 is not overkill. In a 75 it might even be too little. The only time the bio-balls will become a nitrate factory is if you use them in a wet/dry with a drip system. If the bio-balls are completely submerged with good water flow through them, they won't produce any more nitrates than LR rubble would.

Your skimmer is the next area of concern. I also used the Coralife Super Skimmer 65. However, I used it on my 16g bow and found it to be inadequate. If you're using it on your 55 based on the manufacturers recommended effectiveness, you'll find yourself underskimming. Almost all skimmer manufacturers overrate their skimmers performance. Coralife is definitely no exception to the rule.

There are plenty of better skimmers on the market to choose from. You can search MR for skimmers and be inundated with a myriad of choices. They will most likely all be better suited for your new 75.

As for lighting, what animals are you intending to keep? MH lighting isn't necessary in all cases. Evaluate your needs and we can make recommendations based on that. T5's are a great energy efficient, cooler running alternative to MH's, and you can keep just about any animal under them, even most sps.

HTH,
Russ

 

[Henrye]

Hi. Welcome to MR as well! I agree with all the info already said, and the info is from some of the best reefers around.

Henry

 

[SIReefer]

Need a Little Help

Bioballs in W/D are half submerged & half exposed to drip. I'll remove enough so only the submerged ones remain.

I'd like to make my 55 gal into sump w/refuge. This will give me more water volume & better skimming/filtration options.

I only have softies - they grow pretty well but I haven't had much success w/LPS. With the new tank, skimmer, sump & lighting, I think I'll have better success. Down the road I might try the easier to keep SPS if all goes well. I just have to work on my water parameters. :dog2:

 

[masterswimmer]

Good plan with the bio-balls and the 55g.

I don't see the necessity to go with MH lights for the system you're describing. T5's will run cooler (hopefully avoiding the need for a chiller), they produce plenty of light to keep all softies, all LPS, anemones, sps (I haven't seen any sps that can't be kept under them), clams, whatever. You can also rearrange and substitute various bulbs to attain maximum growth and coloration less costly than MH's. T5's will also need replacing much less frequently than MH's.

You will absolutely be giving up a little too. You won't have the shimmer lines that MH's produce. A tank deeper than 24" is not ideal for T5's. You'll get better penetration from MH's. Other than that, T5's would work for a tank like yours that is not SPS dominated.

Russ