58g set up

[foamerdave]

hi all looking for what else/suggestions of what what i might need for this up grade. that and some pics of 58reefs.
Right now I have a 20g set up that i bought off of ebay. The only thing that i think I will be keeping from this set up is the fish (true prcual clown pair a yellow tang and a yellow tail damsel) the live rock (20 to 25 lb) crushed coral/sand mix (15lb) a cleaning crew of mixed snails crabs and hermits and the pumps. the light that is on it it is junk (oddyssea that the ballast went on and tried to burn down my place, not a roomer have the pics to prove)
OK what i have for the 58g, 2x 150 mh lighting (icecap ballast's only make that mistake once) An Amiricle 300 wet/dry trickle filter set up to use as a fuge, light and all and i just order a Kent ro/di set up
There are two reasons for the up grade one i am new to salt (2 months at best) and from what I have learned from years of fresh a bigger tank is much easer to keep stable and two is e-z i have the tank sitting here empty
i guess my questions are what else do I need
how much more rock/sand
recommendation on a skimmer (have a prism hob right now that i hate) that wont break the bank
Kalvin of the bulbs/ brand
should I also look at adding t5 or other supplemental lighting
and any other input would be nice
Thank all Dave
o and once more pics of 58g reef would be real nice to give me a clue as what to aim for

 

[ellebelle]

1) How much crushed coral is in your "crushed coral/sand mix"? If there is a lot, I would get rid of all of your sand mix and start with fresh sand. I am currently getting rid of my crushed coral substrate. It is ugly, and I can see it collecting detrius and I have so much rock I can't stir it. Crushed coral is a no-no.

2) You have a lot of fish in a 20g tank - the yellow tang is a bit alarming as they generally need about 4 feet of swimming room. If it's a yellow tang on the small side, it will be fine in a 58g for a little while, but realize that when it gets bigger you will have to trap it out and get rid of it.

3) A Prism HOB is a POS. A good skimmer is one of the best investments you will make and quite honestly, just about anything else on the market is better than that. Ask for a skimmer recommendation here and you will get 100 different answers from 100 different people. I will say that I have an AquaC EV 120 and have been very happy thus far.

4) you should probably have somewhere around 60lbs of rock in your tank (1 lbs per gallon rule)

5) If you like the look of actinics, then go ahead and add T5s, but supplemental lighting is more for the people viewing the tank than the tank inhabitants.

 

[foamerdave]

thanks for the input and let me defend my self by saying i am not the one that stocked the 20g tank the live stock was in it when i baught it

 

[marrone]

Outside of the fish what type of tank are you plaining on having? A Fish only, Fish only with Live Rock or a Reef tank. Once that's determine then everyone could make recommendations on setups.

 

[ellebelle]

thanks for the input and let me defend my self by saying i am not the one that stocked the 20g tank the live stock was in it when i baught it

I wasn't really making an accusation. People do all sorts of things when they don't know any better.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Outside of the fish what type of tank are you plaining on having? A Fish only, Fish only with Live Rock or a Reef tank. Once that's determine then everyone could make recommendations on setups.

Ditto

Determine what type of tank you like to keep first, then everyone can give more accurate recommendations

 

[foamerdave]

it will be a reef tank and i just said that about the tang to show i care about my fish and there health. i unfortunately think he is already stunned in growth and feel its my job to make up for the previous owners dumb move of putting him in such a small tank
thanks for the input so far more is welcome Dave

 

[ellebelle]

What kind of corals are you planning on keeping? SPS?

 

[NRA223]

My 58G;