Opinions on a 55 gal

[wet9500]

Well I'm just wanting to get back into this hobby and I've run into my first snag all ready that I'm needing help with. I know I want to set up a reef tank again but talking to different lfs have me more confussed now than I was.

Here is the equipment that I currently have

55 gallon non drilled tank
55 gallon oak stand
Cpr bakpak protien skimmer reef tank version
2 maxijet 1200's
150 lbs still in bag southdown sand (3 bags)

ok I know that's the basics that I should need but all the fish stores are telling me to go bigger and get a tank that's drilled already so I can run a sump underneath they are saying a 55 stand doesn't have the room to hold a sump. My question is what kind of fileration needs to be put on this tank besides the protien skimmer I know a sump gives extra water to support more livestock but not sure what my options are here my tank is not drillable because it has a tempered bottom I'm trying to do this on a budget (baby due in january) and make use of what I already have if possible to get it set up correct. I'm not in a hurry to throw something together I just want it done correct so once it's up it can stay up and running.

 

[mmkeeper]

Welcom to RF. You can run a sump with a 55 I did with a 46 you just need an overflow and a used tank to make a sump out of with a return pump. Where are you located? I have a used overflow for sale.

The other major thing you need to address is lighting.

 

[Katchupoy]

WELCOME!!!

And also decide to go easy on coral selections. If the budget is tight right now.... You can always start with soft corals and some hard LPS. These does not require high tech lights but enough for you to enjoy at a lite pace. Watch out for used lighting and hardwares for bargain deals. If overflow is not an option for you so you dont add additional big pump and a tank to use as a sump.... Sumpless is not really a bad idea. There are many reefers here that does not have sumps. Then just make sure that you fill her up daily to keep salinity in check. Some uses float switch in combo with aqua lifters to pump fresh water in it when water is low.

Then when you are ready, you can upgrade to much high demanding corals and equipment.


BTW i only have 40g breeder. So your tank is better sized.


Here is my tank

 

[Mrktplayer]

welcome to reeffrontier

Well "bigger" obviously depends on how deep your wallet is. I have a 50 gallon so I'm limited in the types of fishes I can keep. For example I can't have tangs. You will need a HOB overflow, like this one... http://www.championlighting.com/home.php?cat=405

I got a used 20 gallon tank that will be converted to a sump. Larger is better, but make sure it will fit in your stand. Then get a good protein skimmer. A good skimmer and good flow is sufficient for filtration needs.

Search the classified section here. I found great deals from local reefers. good luck

 

[wet9500]

I realize I'm limited on the size of the sump I can have I believe a 10 gallon is all that will fit in the stand if I'm not mistaken which I guess is better than no sump at all.

 

[wet9500]

MMKeeper I'm in NC e-mail me if you don't mind [email protected] about that overflow I think that's the way I'm going to go rather than worry with drilling tank

 

[Reefergeorge]

I realize I'm limited on the size of the sump I can have I believe a 10 gallon is all that will fit in the stand if I'm not mistaken which I guess is better than no sump at all.

I don't remember how wide a 55 is, but a 20 high is only 12" and should fit in your stand.
As far as overflows imo I would spend the extra $$ and pick up a rr tank. A overflow and aqualifter isn't that much cheaper than a rr 55 and not comeing home to a flood is priceless.

 

[mmkeeper]

A 55 is 48 inches. PM sent

 

[wet9500]

48 x ? I'm thinking 13 wide so what would size would that have room for in sump?

 

[Katchupoy]

As far as overflows imo I would spend the extra $$ and pick up a rr tank. A overflow and aqualifter isn't that much cheaper than a rr 55 and not comeing home to a flood is priceless.

I think he already have an existing tank.

 

[mmkeeper]

I bet you could put a 20 gallon tank under the 55.

 

[wet9500]

I do already have my 55that's what I'm going thru I hate to fork out more money to get a RR tank because that will get in my budget for lighting and lr.

 

[Reefergeorge]

I do already have my 55that's what I'm going thru I hate to fork out more money to get a RR tank because that will get in my budget for lighting and lr.

Yeah, but a overflow and aqualifter are going to be around 150 and you could get a brand new 55 rr for around 200 and sell the one you have , and I don't now about others but I don't trust those siphon overflows. jmo

 

[plack]

Find some people close to you and visit those tanks and find out what you want!!!


I started with a 55 not really knowing exactly what I wanted and thought 260 watts of P.C. lighting would be fine. Then I changed to 440 vho when I got an anenome. Later I wanted to see more growth and experimented with halides and eventually went that way.

In retrospect it would have been better to start off with halides as Most anything will live with them and animals needing less light can be put at the bottom on the corners or in a shaded area. But I did not know what I wanted when I started as it was my son who really had more interest than me at first!

"my tank is not drillable because it has a tempered bottom "
Yea so you could get the backside drilled. My 180 aga is that way.

Do you know what kind and how many fish you are going to put in and what animals(corals) you want ?

A 75 to 125 seems a nicer size for allot of fish!

You can get some things used depending on where you live but it's not always easy.

If you are the DIY type your buget can be stretched allot by modifying and or building your own things. If not it will get more expensive and or stressfull.

The cost of keeping sps alive and thriving can add up to allot more than say a softies tank or even a very colorfull LPS.

We could all speculate on what is best (for a very low budget) for you to buy for a 55 gallon mixed reef system with a deep sand bed on as tight a budget as possable . But is that really the size and type of tank you want ? How important are looks to you an open Iron stand works but allot of us want sompthing better that costs more?? Then again some could care less !

But you must say thats what your after more specifically. As many would not reccomend deep sand beds. And if they did they would put it in an empty salt bucket and or seperate sump. Sumps dont have to be expensive they could be a rubbermaid bucket. thats all up to you. I belive the more tanks and systems you see the more you will know what you want to do .



Paul

 

[Mrktplayer]

Well said Paul. In retrospect, I wish I did a FOWLR system instead of a mixed sps and lps tank. Oh well

 

[roblou]

FWIW, I have a 45g tank I currently run sumpless, with a CPR bakpak skimmer. I have 4x95W VHO's and have been keeping zoas, softies, LPS, and a few hardy SPS. This setup has worked very well for me coming up on 2 years I believe. I put my heater, plus carbon & phosban in my CPR, leaving 2 seio's and 2 ATO switches in the tank. Currently no overflow & no closed loop.

With that being said, I have been wanting to add a sump so I could accomplish a few things:

1) bigger/better protein skimmer
2) get the ATO switches out of the tank
3) add a little water volume

My 45 is only 3 feet long. I purchased a 24" long sump, but it's too big to get into the stand w/o removing the center brace. I have a 20g long, but it too is too long to get into the stand. So, I finally got a 10g to use as the sump, and I'll use an external overflow instead of drilling. Still need to make some baffles and get a return pump.....

Anyways, just wanted to share my experience with you so you'd know it's quite possible to get a reef going with what you already have.

In my 45g currently:

toadstool leather
baby toadstool leather
yellow leather
zoa colonies
GSP's (everywhere)
green finger leather
stylophora
pocillapora
green hammer
pink frogspawn
green torch
closed brain
seabae anemone
blue mushrooms
2 clownfish
2 bangai cardinals
1 sixline wrasse
1 cleaner shrimp
snails/hermit crabs

hth,
rob

 

[wet9500]

Ok problem solved I purchaced a 75 gal oceniac RR today with stand, canopy, and sump going to sell the one that I currently have to try and recoop some money. Next question my CPR Bakpak is going to be to small for a 75 isn't it will it be okay to put on thru the cycle period of tank.

 

[brady816]

i would get a aqua c remora pro it works great for my 55 gal tank...

 

[vwmoneypit]

wow well anyways look at my pics this stays kleen this way low nitrates and great lighting will up date pics on the next thursday as well welcome to the addiction way of h2o

 

[Reefergeorge]

Ok problem solved I purchaced a 75 gal oceniac RR today with stand, canopy, and sump going to sell the one that I currently have to try and recoop some money. Next question my CPR Bakpak is going to be to small for a 75 isn't it will it be okay to put on thru the cycle period of tank.

Good choice, congratulations on the upgrade keep us posted.
As for the skimmer I would switch it over till you get a new one. A small skimmer is better than none. Good luck on the switch.