New Setup Advise

[The_Reefer]

I need HELP I spend too much time trying to make my own decisions.....To start off I am new to this site(great site I must add) and new to reef aquariums, but not new to saltwater aquariums. I had discus for years and then a 55 gallon fish and FOLR tank going for several years until I sold it, which I really regreted. The 55 was basic with some LR, Powerheads, Pro-Clear wet/dry, Pro-Clear skimmer, UV sterilizer, crushed coral, regular lighting. Everything ran great.


I ran across a 58 gallon Oceanic Systems tank and stand for a great price so I am going to give a reef aquarium a try. I am planning on having a couple fish and the rest reef, inverts. The tank dimensions are 21.5" H x 18.5"W x 36.5"L. I have only a tank, stand, heater and several powerheads....so basically I am working from the bottom up. First off is the size of the tank OK or a bit small? Any advise in any area would be great since I am new to Reefs. I am planning on ordering about 80 lbs of LR within the next month but before hand need to get some things started so I am ready. Most important is lighting advise, I was looking into either 4-96 watt Pc lighting orshould I spend the extra money now and get 2-96 watt with 1 metal halide bulb? or maybe A different setup? 2nd most important is bulkhead advise. I wanted to build a custom sump, and have my tank drilled some time this week....I have researched alot and have no idea on what bulkhead size, number of bulkheads, or standpipe to use.....quietest is best for those who have experience. I have read some using two 1.5" bulkheads with durso standpipes in a 75g setup which to me seems like overkill...I was thinking 2x1" or 1x1.5" One more important issue is I used crushed coral before but want to use sand or something different this time...please give me your opinions like what type, how much, size? any other advise for my tank size would be great!!! Any info for a new reefer would be great also. Thank you in advance. Just wondering what opinions are on the Pro Clear skimmer....I had a 175 I can get back...personally I didn't like it...Is it poorly made or was it too big for my 55g

 

[reefman5511]

Welcome back to the insanity!! Your tank size is adequate. For lighting it all depends on what kind of corals you want to keep. You're better off spending the $$ to get the MH/PC combo. Don't use crushed coral - that's out just like undergravel gravel filter. Sand is definitely the way to go. Go with 2-3 inches. Put the base rock in first & then the sand - that way should you have any diggers they won't undermine everything. As far as skimmers go, needle wheel are the way to go.
Good luck & keep us posted of your progress.

 

[reefman5511]

Welcome back to the insanity!! Your tank size is adequate. For lighting it all depends on what kind of corals you want to keep. You're better off spending the $$ to get the MH/PC combo. Don't use crushed coral - that's out just like undergravel gravel filter. Sand is definitely the way to go. Go with 2-3 inches. Put the base rock in first & then the sand - that way should you have any diggers they won't undermine everything. As far as skimmers go, needle wheel are the way to go.
Good luck & keep us posted of your progress.

 

[trido]

The Reefer, :welcome:

A 58 is a fine size of tank for a reef. As far as the lighting goes, MH has the deepest penetration. If you want softies, the PCs should be fine, If you want SPS corals then you should get the MH. I would get 250s for a full SPS tank or 150s for a mix of high light and low light corals.
Needle wheel skimmers are the norm but if you can find one, thread wheel skimmer are the newest "best" on the market.
Regarding sand, I have a tank with CC and one with arogonite sugar and would recommend BB for ease of mainantance.
AS far as bulkheads go. One 1" for a drain and one 3/4" for a return should be adequate for a tank that size.

You will need some additional flow in a reef that a sump return typically cant take care of. Some use powerheads ond other use a CL system. If you want to use a CL you may want to have additional bulkheads drilled for that. It isnt necessary to have a CL drilled though.

 

[The_Reefer]

Welcome back to the insanity!!

Perfectly said!

Good to know the tank is a good size to work with.

with the skimmer I think I am going to grab an rs80 euroreef...should be big enough? Sometimes these things are over-rated, I assume not with euro reef http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... gory_Code=

I found that deal here

with lighting 2 pc's with a 250 of center would probably be the best way to go?




Thanks for the quick replies

 

[Anonymous]

I have a 58G tank. I like the tank. I run a 250W HQI MH in a Lumenarc pendadnt and 2 95W VHO actinics. I am trying to keep SPS/LPS/Clams.

For he sump I use a 20G high (all that will fit). Mag 12 as the return pump.

Flow I use a Tunze Stream 6000 and a maxijet 1200.

Euroreef ES5-3 skimmer

Any questions let me know.