Newbie 55gal needs!

[stormi2ider]

Hey all!

I am looking to start my new 55gal setup and really could use some stuff. It is a standard 55gal so keep that in mind. Any help would be appreciated and feel free to throw in any suggestions you might have for me. So far I have built my own stand and just stained it yesterday, will be applying another coat today. My friend has been helping me out with the plumbing set up and that's pretty much done as well. I would like to get it up and running(at least cycling) soon. my plan is to have soft corals before i start fish. I am running a sump setup and have most of the stuff but not sure what else I need.

Here's a list of what I have so far:

25gal sump
One 550gallon pump for the water
Two smaller pumps for the powerheads
A heater for the water.
Live sand
Salt for water
Gauge to test water levels
Borrow rodi system
Sock filters for the sump.
50gal protein skimmer
And PVC piping for all the plumbing

Here are stuff I want to buy:

Live or dead rock $1-$3 per pound, will take a lot if there's a good deal.

Any coral frags people are willing to part with for a newbie.

And anything else you might think I need for this tank.

Once again I am completely new to this hobby and learning. Any suggestion or things would help. Thanks everyone and feel free to pm me or email me at [email protected]. Have a great day everyone!

 

[marklugo23]

no offense youll hate the 55 after 2 months because it is so narrow, go with a 75 gal or a 40 breeder, with that youll get the depth and it will look better

 

[masterswimmer]

Welcome to MR, a great source of information for tried and true tested ways to successfully run a reef tank. With that said, I hate to say it, but Mark is 100% right. A 55g tank is probably the least desirable tank for aquascaping. The 12" depth (front to back) is unbelievably restrictive. Remember, you don't want to put rock against the front glass (preferably not against the back glass either). Figure only 3" of space between the front glass and the rock will only leave you with 9" of space to put rock.

While your tank is still empty it is infinitely easier to make the change to a 40g breeder or a 75g tank now. You will soon understand how valuable this information is. FYI, there are lots of used tanks available on the marketplace here on MR to get you an affordable, appropriate sized tank.

Again, welcome to MR and enjoy your stay.
Russ

 

[Rob&Gab]

dont worry my girlfriend the 45 gallon and we have the same foot prints. its not that hard to manage tho.

 

[masterswimmer]

dont worry my girlfriend the 45 gallon and we have the same foot prints. its not that hard to manage tho.

People have been using 55g tanks for many decades. Nobody is saying it won't work. lol What we're saying is the OP's tank is now empty. He has an opportunity to set up a MUCH more ergonomic, user friendly tank before he's saddled with the daunting task of breaking it down after he understands how poor the 55g footprint truly is. Can a 55g work? Sure can, it has for decades. However he's asking for help:

Any help would be appreciated and feel free to throw in any suggestions you might have for me.

So why wouldn't we make valid suggestions before he's got the tank up and running?

Russ

 

[reef lover7]

I agree with mark n swimmer. I had a 75 gal reef and after a year I regret I didnt get a bigger one...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Reefs

 

[stormi2ider]

Thanks for the suggestions and I completely understand your points, the reason I went with the 55 is because the space I have at my place perfectly fits the 55gal. I know I might regret it but I'm more of a clean and simple kind of guy so I'm not going to overfill my tank either. I'm not that worried about space but then again I haven't done anything yet so I won't exactly know how I feel in a few months. I'm also a carefree guy so ill be fine with that size. Plus I built a stand already haha. If space allows I will probably start a second tank in the future. Thanks for the valuable suggestions though.

 

[masterswimmer]

I agree with mark n swimmer. I had a 75 gal reef and after a year I regret I didnt get a bigger one...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Reefs

Thanks for the support, but honestly, it's not the gallons that are in question here. I like the 40g breeder infinitely more than the 55g. Reason being, the front to back (depth) measurement of the 40g breeder is 18". The 55g is only 12". That is a HUGE difference when trying to set your rock. I do agree that bigger is better, but without knowing someone's budget I don't like to make suggestions that will only cost more. I'd rather recommend options both smaller and larger that will be appropriate.

Russ

 

[stormi2ider]

Thanks Russ! I appreciate it.

 

[thirty6]

I agree with Russ and mark

That being said if the 55 is what your using i have some thoughts to share: spend money on refractometer not the plastic hydrometer. Powerhead and pump seem ok, easy enough to change down the line. I don't see anything about lighting, and this can prove to be a costly item.
What do you plan to keep in the tank, fowlr? Mixed reef? If reef what type of livestock, these all play role in decision factor. I would buy dead base rock and not live rock but that's only my opinion. Its cheaper and pest free.
I may have misunderstood, but I wouldn't worry about frags for quite awhile and id consider buying a ro unit, one of e best investments you can make for your setup. Good luck with your build, tons of information here to be had

 

[stormi2ider]

Thanks thirty6!

Oh yes I forgot the light! Need that still, suggestions? As for corals, mainly soft corals then eventually some fish but not much... Maybe some clowns and damsels. I want mainly soft corals though.

On the live/dead rock part. Don't I want some of the live rock to help the water cycle faster? And by live rock im hoping for rocks that someone is using currently and not ones that only have bacteria. I'm guessing here so don't quote me please.

 

[marklugo23]

I had a 55 before, after a month I upgraded to a 75 and loved it. More room, better looking tank.

 

[Rhegaana]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTkpHHlFIr8
here is my 55g.
pm for cheap starter corals.

 

[stormi2ider]

Picked up lights and some dead/live rocks. Can't wait!