hello, I plan on setting up a 55 gallon reef that will be heavily stocked, but not overstocked with fish: heniochus butterfly, blue tang, ocellaris clownfish and picasso triggerfish. I will also have various soft corals and 45lbs of LR. knowing that the bio-load will be higher than the average reef, what will be all the necessary equipment for this kind of setup besides the tank itself; filtration, lighting.... I do have an idea of what I need but im still confused. THANKS!
saltwater reef equipment question
- Thread starter P3-GMR15
- Start date
lilduud
Reefing newb
oh wow hah. well im positive the butterfly and triggerfish wont work out because theyll grow much too large for a 55. plus typically triggers+coral=bad and if im not mistaken the same goes for butterflies. also the tang likely will be a disaster in that tank... the only tang you could really keep would be a yellow tang or a yellow eye kole but even those are not recommended.
as for the equipment... for the filtration a sump setup is best which is a small tank under your main tank that is broken into sections for a protein skimmer [a necessity], and a refugium [an option but very very very good idea]. the refugium is a place away from predators where beneficial macro algae, live rock, and copepods can thrive. its best to set the lighting for your fuge to a schedule opposite that of your main tank... this is to balance the pH in your tank through out a 24 hour period. for light if you plan on keeping coral i would go with a minimum of a 4 bulb 48 inch t5 set up for a total of 216 watts. the light should be 50% actinic blue light and 50% daylight with a kelvin reading of 10,000-14,000. most fixtures come with the bulbs necessary. i think that just about covers it please fill anything in i missed guys.
as for the equipment... for the filtration a sump setup is best which is a small tank under your main tank that is broken into sections for a protein skimmer [a necessity], and a refugium [an option but very very very good idea]. the refugium is a place away from predators where beneficial macro algae, live rock, and copepods can thrive. its best to set the lighting for your fuge to a schedule opposite that of your main tank... this is to balance the pH in your tank through out a 24 hour period. for light if you plan on keeping coral i would go with a minimum of a 4 bulb 48 inch t5 set up for a total of 216 watts. the light should be 50% actinic blue light and 50% daylight with a kelvin reading of 10,000-14,000. most fixtures come with the bulbs necessary. i think that just about covers it please fill anything in i missed guys.
lilduud
Reefing newb
oh and also welcome to the forum!
valasaraptor
Proud ocelot owner!
ummn ive had a saltwater tank for like 3-4mo and he says he hes had 6yrs expeirence,again sorry for spelling,doesnt this remind u of sum1????? saltwaterking? and if it isnt him sorry for battering u and welcome to the site,any questions u have will be awnsered
valasaraptor
Proud ocelot owner!
do your research first,it helps trust me,i did and everythings goin good so far lol
lilduud
Reefing newb
completely and 100% totally agree and thought that exact thing as i answered
but from me as well if your not then sorry
valasaraptor
Proud ocelot owner!
yeah,all u really need for filtration is live rock,natural filter and the skimmer and you need powerheads or sumthing for flow
Bifferwine
I am a girl
Yeah just using a protein skimmer will be fine. As long as you have live rock. As others have pointed out, the fish you have chosen are too large for a 55 and probably won't do well in a tank that size. If you have your heart set on those particular fish, then you will want to start out with a bigger tank.
Welcome to the site!
Welcome to the site!
valasaraptor
Proud ocelot owner!
listen to biff almighty,p.s. she knows everything literally
Bifferwine
I am a girl
No, freshwater is totally different... Almost nothing from freshwater applies to saltwater. :(
In saltwater, the general rule of thumb for stocking is 1 inch of fish per 10 gallons. So in a 55 gallon tank, you are limited to 5 or 6 1-inch long fish. That rules out...most fish. If you like big fish like tangs and triggers, you really need a bigger tank. There are plenty of really nice small fish that do well in a 55, though. My first tank was a 55.
Also, things take longer in saltwater. You can't just add a bunch of fish. It usually takes a month or two for your tank to initially cycle before you can put anything living in it. And after that, it's wise not to add more than 1 fish every 3 weeks.
In saltwater, the general rule of thumb for stocking is 1 inch of fish per 10 gallons. So in a 55 gallon tank, you are limited to 5 or 6 1-inch long fish. That rules out...most fish. If you like big fish like tangs and triggers, you really need a bigger tank. There are plenty of really nice small fish that do well in a 55, though. My first tank was a 55.
Also, things take longer in saltwater. You can't just add a bunch of fish. It usually takes a month or two for your tank to initially cycle before you can put anything living in it. And after that, it's wise not to add more than 1 fish every 3 weeks.
valasaraptor
Proud ocelot owner!
nope,completely different,sorry for battering u,look at saltwaterking posts and ull see y we were woundering lol,ive had fresh tanks since i can rembr but saltwater is nothing alike
Bifferwine
I am a girl
You were wondering. I wasn't. :D
valasaraptor
Proud ocelot owner!
dang i got ninja'ed lol firefish and purple firefish are really cool look em up my bet is ull like them
valasaraptor
Proud ocelot owner!
cause ur biff,ALL MIGHTY,let me gess?u checked the I.P.
Bifferwine
I am a girl
Yeah now quit hijacking his thread with discussion about other members, please. :)
Dakwan
Reefing newb
Like everyone else said the butterfly, trigger and tang are too large for a 55.
Some people like to pick the fish they decide they *must* have and then design a tank around that.
A lot of people use Live Aquaria as a quick reference guide as they have quite a few fish listed and it is relatively accurate.
While you are researching pick up a copy of "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Conscientious-Marine-Aquarist-Commonsense-Professional/dp/1890087998/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281935745&sr=8-1-spell]Amazon.com: The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for…[/ame]
Many people consider it "The Bible" of salt water reef keeping and it's loaded with accurate and up to date advice
Most of all; take it slow and ask advice.
Welcome to the site!
Some people like to pick the fish they decide they *must* have and then design a tank around that.
A lot of people use Live Aquaria as a quick reference guide as they have quite a few fish listed and it is relatively accurate.
While you are researching pick up a copy of "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert Fenner
[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Conscientious-Marine-Aquarist-Commonsense-Professional/dp/1890087998/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281935745&sr=8-1-spell]Amazon.com: The Conscientious Marine Aquarist: A Commonsense Handbook for…[/ame]
Many people consider it "The Bible" of salt water reef keeping and it's loaded with accurate and up to date advice
Most of all; take it slow and ask advice.
Welcome to the site!
Northstar24
The Tang Herder
+ 1 Dakwan
P3, Welcome to the site!
Take Dakwan's advice and pick up that book. Read it from cover to cover before getting anything for your salt setup - it will save you headaches ;)
P3, Welcome to the site!
Take Dakwan's advice and pick up that book. Read it from cover to cover before getting anything for your salt setup - it will save you headaches ;)
