Need advise for new tank

[braincoral39]

Just purchased a 58 gallon Oceanic show tank and I need your advice. I will be transferring the live rock and coral from my 29 gallon reef tank. My question is I have been considering a wet dry system but very concerned about the possible overflow should I loose siphon. Do I need a wet dry system or will a protein skimmer be sufficient? I have approximately 45lbs of fiji live rock and about 15lbs of Tampa Bay aquacultured rock. 40lbs of live sand will also be added to the tank. My lighting will consist of a 175 MH with a 10k bulb and a 36inch no actinic flourecent bulb. Most of the coral keep consist of torch, hamer,bubble, and a couple of softies but really want to try a sps coral once I get the transfer established and running well. I will also want to have a pair of clown fish and maybe a small tang and three green chromis. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

p.s. I have also just considered a hang on filter with a bio wheel.

 

[esmithiii]

You will need more sand, and another 25-40 lbs of live rock. With a sand bed, 1.5 to 2 lbs/gallon of live rock and a good skimmer you will not need any additional filtration.

Wet-dry and bio-wheels (a fancy type of wet-dry) are nitrate magnets, and you will experience problems down the road if you use them.

You should shoot for 4-6" of fine sand. I know it sounds like a lot, maybe too much, but do yourself a favor and put it in now instead of adding it later.

Ernie

 

[Minh Nguyen]

There are many ways to skin a cat, but the huge majority of beautiful reef tanks do not have wet/dry filter. Many have live rock/deep sand bed +/- skimmer for filtration.
I would use a 4+ inches sand bed, seeded with fauna kits, and live rock for your filtration and don't use Wet/dry filter.
You should read more about filtration alternative in today reef tank and use this as guide to decide what you want to do.