Lighting question/general advice

[Raebee]

I'm new to the saltwater world. I currently have a 55 gallon tank that is about 2 months old and already cycled.
In my tank I have:

2 maroon clowns <1.5"
1 watchman gobi <1.5"
1 sixline wrasse 2"
1 starfish banded I think
1 small emerald crab
2 turbo snails
4 tiny snails
and 1 purple lobster 3-4"

It has a live sand/crushed coral substrate about 15lbs live rock and 40 lbs base rock that is starting to grow coralline algae. I also have two powerheads for current they are Hydor Koralia 2s.

I really want to get an anemone for my clowns because at night they seem to get too close to the lobster, lost one clown that way before I started feeding my lobster krill. Still I would rather they had a good place to rest so if the lobster gets too hungry they don't become lunch. I was looking for recommendations on which anemone to try, when to add it but mostly what lighting I need to purchase first and any advice on my tank would help. Right now everyone seems happy but i do want to start adding some corals since I'm already full on livestock. The plan is to have this tank for awhile until the fish start to get bigger and then get another bigger tank once I purchase my own home and have a place for it. Also if anyone has advice on a good protien skimmer or where to purchase these items it would be a big help.

Thanks!
Rae

[reef dummy]

I am a big fan of Halide's. I have two 250w 14k's over my rbta and he is thriving in a 120g.

[Raebee]

How is the heat in the tank, I heard halides can heat up a tank, I was kinda looking at T5s.

[BigAl07]

Hello and welcome Rae

First off... this tank is WAY to young for any type of anemone. They need a tank that's stable and BEEN stable (not just filled with water) for 9 - 12 months. They are some of the most sensitive of our aquatic friends and need the best of the best.

Next you're WAY low on Live Rock. 15lbs in a 55g is way love. Your rock is your biological filtration system and you need it up to par already. The "General" rule of thumb is around 1 - 1 1/2lb per gallon of tank water.

What are your current water test results?

As far as lighting goes I'm a HUGE fan of T5's. If you get a quality unit with Individual Reflectors for each bulb (be careful here because some manufacturers are being a little bit misleading in their wording) you can have just about anything you want.

As for skimmer save up and research... for the most part you get what you pay here and in lights & skimmer you want to get quality stuff.

[reef dummy]

I raise my mh's about 9" above an open top and I have no heat issues. I don't need a chiller and my tank stays between 78-80 degrees. I run a fan under my stand during the day when lights are on. T5's are great, lots of good comments on them but I am biased to the MH's because of shimmer efect.

[Raebee]

I'm at work so I don't know my current test results (my boyfriend does the testing) I'm working toward getting more live rock, we keep adding good pieces as they come in to the LFS careful not to add too much at once, also hoping the base rock will fill in in a couple of months. It's very porous rock that a friend of mine had in his old aquarium and had dried and cleaned after he had to downgrade tank size. We have been doing weekly water changes (smaller amount) to help off set the lack of live filtration and have been closely monitoring our water parameters. Is there anything else you would recommend besides an anemone for the clowns to keep away from the lobster. He stays in his little cave until night problem is the clowns like swimming over there and he's gotten too close a couple of times. Any brands of skimmers or lights anyone would recommend or pros and cons? I want to do a reef tank with lots of corals the livestock is pretty much set for quite awhile.

[TylerHaworth]

Al:
Let me remind you Rae put in 15lbs of live rock and 40 pounds of base rock, which totals 55 pounds of rock... A very acceptable amount

Rae:
For a 55g tank that isn't going to be super heavily stocked (yours is perfect) I would point you towards something similar to my ASM G-1x to do the total job. It is very cost effective, and does a pretty good job on my 75g setup, I would imagine one would perform at a pretty stellar rate in a 55.

As far as lighting, I regret not getting the best fixture available upon initial setup, and I highly recommend saving up as long as necessary so that you can buy a light that will last! Personally I will be going T5 all the way. You can get the best of the best T5 units such as the ATI Powermodule for about the same, or less, than most of the mid-upper level Halide lighting systems. T5's with efficient cooling and good reflectors perform as well or better than Halides in all except the deepest tanks, without the added heat!

As far as the anemone, patience and research! In order to allow an anemone to thrive, you should let your tank settle in for a good six months AFTER you think it's stable! Lighting is also very key to nems, and if you plan on supporting one... don't skimp!

As to the lobster and clown issue, there is no guarantee that the clowns will host... it's a crap shoot... I would say if you are worried about one harming the other, then your best bet would be to pick which you like more, and then to return the other to your LFS.

Hope this helps!

[BigAl07]

Oppps... thought that was Live then LiveSand... over look the ROCK comment

[zy112]

I think your on the right track, but I would lose the nem for now.

As far as lighting, I am a MH fan. But my biggest suggestion would be to look at tanks in person with both MH or T5's and make a decision on what you like. Also, continue to save, continue to research, and in due time you'll likely form an opinion on what you woulld like.

The ASM G1x skimmer is a good suggestion, and affordable. On that side of the discussion, I like Euroreef and run one on a 65 but there are plenty of good units out there to give you a headache deciding.

Good luck can't wait to see your progress.

[Raebee]

I don't currently have a sump, I am running a canister filter (cleaned bi-weekly). What would I need for a sump or should I just get a different kind of skimmer?

[spssick]

Like al said,anemones are the most dif,you need them to have the most stabel params.0 nitrates and phosphates.

one get rid of the canister filter,they just harbor D.O.,

If ure tank isnt drilled they make hang on overflow boxes,not very redundent but they work,as a sump a 20 long would work,and i highly recommend the asm line of in sump skimmers

[TylerHaworth]

A sump is a great addition if you don't already have one. They increase total water volume, allow you to hide a lot of equipment, allow a spot for a refugium, and just generally contribute to the coolness factor! (I made up the last part)

For a sump You will need, forgive me if I leave anything out:

Plumbing
Fine Filter socks
A Tank (20 Gallon Longs are perfect)
Baffles cut from glass (Four total pieces, very cheap)
Aquarium Safe Silicone (Under $10 as well
A Return Pump (Something along the lines of a Quiet One 3000 or a Mag 7)
HOB Overflow box (I think CPR makes a pretty good piece, although I've never used a HOB overflow)

I know this seems overwhelming... But it's really fairly cheap... maybe $150 or less for everything if you DIY, allows you to hide skimmers, heaters, reactors, monitors... allows for a refugium... adds extra water volume... all are good!

[Raebee]

Is there some sort of sump making guide anyone could tell me about so I could research it?

Tanks again!

[Rhodes19]

Originally Posted by Raebee

Is there some sort of sump making guide anyone could tell me about so I could research it?

Tanks again!

I found this site to be useful while researching sumps/fug. Its a good place to start. HTH

Melevsreef.com | Acrylic Sumps & Refugiums

[bandr1002]

go to you tube, and search diy sump. there is a 2 part video on how to build one really cheap.