Help me set up a 55-g tank

[jcpetersen]

Hi everybody - thanks in advance for all the help. I apologize for the long post, but I want to give as much information as possible.

I have a 55 gallon freshwater tank (48 x 12 inches) that I want to convert to saltwater.

One of the few things I'm sure of is that I need a lot of help.

The goal is going to be a 'pretty' tank. Kind of vague, I know, but I'm not entirely sure what my wife wants either. Not a whole lot of fish or corals, but probably a nice mix of both, eventually.

I have two small children, and the oldest, age 2, loves going to the "quarium" and looking at the saltwater tanks. Doesn't really like the freshwater tanks. And while we haven't seen Finding Nemo, I'm sure we'll be getting a pair of clowns so she can have her own Nemo at home. (If anyone wants to give me a list of the main fish from the movie, it would be appreciated.)

But the movie isn't why I want a saltwater tank. My wife and I wanted one from the beginning, but we went freshwater first, in order to learn the ropes. That was 6 years ago, and while (we think) we're ready for saltwater, we have a lot to learn about it. The only other 'family' situation I want to mention is my 3 cats - there needs to be some sort of cover or screen to keep the pets separated.

From asking on another (non-reef) forum and with the guys at www.reefgeek.com, I got the following suggestions:

Keeping current tank, heater, and stand. Ditch everything else (undergravel filter (2 powerheads) and a penquin 330 (2 BIO-wheel) external filter).

Deep Sand Bed (4-6 inches)
at least 50 lbs live rock ( www.harboraquatics.com ?)
No sump

Protein Skimmer
1 - AquaC Remora Pro Hang-On (Mag Drive 3)

Wave Maker & Pumps
1 - Red Sea Wavemaster Pro
2 - Aquarium Systems Maxi-Jet 900
2 - Aquarium Systems Maxi-Jet 1200

Lighting
1 - Hamilton Technology 48" ABS Hood: 4-55W Powercompacts

Now, I still have questions about this whole thing, but let's start with a basic evaluation of this set up.

Can I get some evaluations or comments?

Thanks in advance;

jcp

 

[Anonymous]

What do you want to keep besides fish?
The rest of the recommendations depend on your answer.

Check out Bob Fenner's The Conscientious Marine Aquarist and John Tullock's Natural Reef Aquariums

Also check out the thread stuck to the top of the forum here, titled "Just the FAQs"

 

[ride928]

If you're looking at a retrofit Hamilton unit, I would go with 2x110 watt VHO rather than 4x55 PC. Unless of course, you want to go MH.

 

[ride928]

BTW, what part of NJ are you from. I can probably recommend some good LFS in the area and knowledgable people to talk to.

 

[jcpetersen]

What do you want to keep besides fish?

I'm not entirely sure. Anyone want to explain my options? I've seen 'clean-up crews' offered, but besides them I have no idea. Anemones seem to be difficult to the beginner, but my wife definitely wants a pair of clowns.

Lighting options

This was probably a poor suggestion due to incomplete information. At the time, I didn't know my wife wanted corals at all. Now she seems more interested in the reef tank pictures I showed her from this site.

BTW, what part of NJ are you from?

North central. Union. Exit 139 off the GSP. The most likely LFS I've found that's close are Ocean Gallery II on Rt 22 and Animals and Things on Rt 1. At least they carry saltwater fish and equipment, which is more than I can say for the other stores I've visited.

 

[Anonymous]

With PC lights on a 55, you're kinda limited.
You can definitely keep zooanthids, mushrooms, probably some LPS corals like Frogspawn or Hammer (up high in the tank)...
But basically you're limited to moderate lighting there.
If you go with 4 VHO tubes, you can keep most SPS corals like Acropora, Montipora, etc...
If you go with a couple of metal halide bulbs atop the tank, you can keep anything. That's the preferred lighting for anemones, BTW.

 

[iphy]

I have a 55 gallon freshwater tank (48 x 12 inches) that I want to convert to saltwater.

This is exactly what I did, about five years ago now. I kept freshwater fish for about seven years before taking the big plunge to saltwater. I'd always heard how hard it is to do saltwater. I was pleasantly surprised that, with a little reading and planning, it really isn't a lot more difficult than freshwater.

I did fish only with a single, nice, piece of liverock for the first two years. I had to move, and several of my fish did not make it. I took the others back and started over with the plans to eventually have a reef. Here are my recommendations based on this experience:

Keeping current tank, heater, and stand. Ditch everything else (undergravel filter (2 powerheads) and a penquin 330 (2 BIO-wheel) external filter).

This is pretty much what I did. And I recommend it as the way to go. I've been running my 55gal with a protein skimmer, heater, and two power heads for three years now. I did keep my old powerheads and use them for circulation within the tank.

Deep Sand Bed (4-6 inches)

I have been wary of this for a couple of reasons:
- I think of it as a slightly "advanced" thing to do since you
are suddenly proposing anarobic (at least, low oxygen) areas.
- It removes a not-inconsiderable amount of "space" from an
already not-huge tank.
- I think that properly working DSB's are often less than aesthetic
and so might be better off in a sump.

I'm not telling you you shouldn't do it. I'm just telling you that I haven't, and why. Some of these reasons (especially about the "advanced" part?) might be completely inaccurate.

at least 50 lbs live rock ( www.harboraquatics.com ?)

Totally do this! I've always regretted that I did not do this from the very beginning. I was worried that it was just for reefers and therefore not for begginers. Liverock is great and easy. I actually went with closer to 65 pounds of LR for my 55 long.

No sump

Just as reinforcement: I don't yet have a sump. I want one, but don't have the space. I do think my tank would be more attractive if the heater, etc. were out of sight; but I think it looks pretty good as it is. And, of course, I'd love to have the extra gallons a sump would give me. But, it's not required.

I've always wanted a Mandarin dragonet, so I did recently add an in-tank refugium. I didn't have room for an over the back kind. I think it's kind of unattractive and probably another good reason to get a sump someday that I can work a proper refugium into.

I am also using power compact lighting, and have a few corals. As with anything in an aquarium, you just need to pay attention to the requirements and behaviors of the things you're planning to add to your tank.

So, in conclusion, your plans sound sane. I did not comment on your proposed lighting because I am terrible with that and shall leave it to someone else to address. I wish I had a good picture of my tank to show off.

 

[robertpower3]

I don't think you are limited with p.c. I have read in several different salt water magazines that 1 55 watt pc is equivelant to a 110 watt vho. I keep sps and lps corals and under p.c. with very nice growth. i would strongly suggest the use of a sump. I have a tide pool that works great and is pretty easy to put together. It also hides the equipment. Use at least 50 lbs of live rock. The more the better. Great biological filter.

 

[fishfanatic2]

I also think a sump would be good.

Tuck it under the stand in the cabinet if you have one to keep it out of sight.

 

[Mogo]

jc-
Your approach sounds good. I would recommend that you start out with very good (high) lighting so that you can add corals at some point when you are ready without having to refit. I would also think about a sump. Among many other benefits of having one, they can provide some good water circulation. You may find (depending on the size of pump) that you don't need wavemakers immediately (saving some $$). Also sumps are a great place to put heaters, probes, skimmers and other stuff, keeping your tank less cluttered.

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome to our money pit :lol: You've been given some great advice so far. I agree that you should probably spend the money up front and go with the best lighting you can afford.. You're gonna upgrade later anyway Read, Read and Read somemore. One of the greatest virtues that comes with this hobby is patience. As for cats... I have 7 of them. with SW tanks running and 1 FW, I have never had a problem.
Good luck and enjoy.

Nancy

 

[LX302]

I just recently set up a 55gal in January and love it. All the recomendations are fine, except for two points.
I run the Penguin 330 without the biowheels to clean up floating debris and "run" carbon to polish the water.
Also if you want to save money, forget the wavemaker and all you need are two powerheads, not four. Either the 900's or 1200's are good choices. I use (2) 900's, other are using (2) 1200's.

Here's a decent place to go to in Clifton, NJ.
http://www.absolutelyfish.com/HomePage.htm