55g acrylic tank - planning stages

[goldenmean]

This is a reposting of my ReefSpace.net blog:

So a friend of mine gave me this tank(see below). She has several freshwater tanks but has always been inimidated by saltwater. So loves my little nano so she decided to give me this tank

First off I know the difficulties of aquascaping a tank with 48" x 12" x 20 dimensions. I have decided to accept this challenge.

Second the bioballs in the sump are gone as is the under gravel filter. The bioballs actually make great cat toys. They love em!

I have had the tank for about a month now and Have been thinking of all the equipment i will need.

RO/DI system is first.
With the nano I did not mind going to the LFS once a month to get RO/DI water but I do not want to lug water for this tank. From doing research i have decided to call the Filter Guys and let them hook me up with the system that best fits my needs. I do want to have a drinking system for the RO water and I have heard that the Filter guys are the best. $200-250

Skimmer
My LFS suggested a CPR-SR2 which of course they sell. I found that skimmer about $50 cheaper online but in researching this model It seems that as far as skimmers go they are not that efficient - just adequate.
Doing some more research on RS and other sites it seems that the Aqua C remora is quite popular so I looked into the Acua C Urchin. I was also looking into the Octopus NW 150. Then I measured the inside of my sump and realized I had serious size limitations and I can forget about the Urchin and the Octopus.
I thought about buying a new sump but if I was going to do that I would just go to my LFS and buy a different tank with a built in sump for not much more than just a new sump would cost. Then I discovered the Tunze DOC Protein Skimmer 9005 which has a small footprint, is of good quality and effieciency. So with the in-sump attachment it will run me $300.

Lights
I was thinking about: Current USA PowerCompact Orbit Fixtures but decided that I wanted to be able to keep clams and sps so I was looking into T5s. The Current USA Nova Extreme Fixtures were interesting but they only have one reflector instead of individual reflectors for each bulb. I did find some other T5 fixtures with the individual reflectors but by then I had pretty much just go right out and get MH. The Current USA Outer Orbit is too big. 15 inches wide to only 12 inches of my tank. Currently I am leaning to the 48in Current USA SunPod 2x150W 14K HQI-MH w/ 18 Lunar Lights. Or should I go with the 2 x 250 W version? The SunPod only has theHQI-MH and the lunar lights. There are no Actinic lights. I know I do not have to have actinic lights but I am concerned with how my reef will look with out them. Let me know what you think.
Sunpod 2 x 150W - $500
Sunpod 2 x 250W- $619

Pumps
Return and in tank needed. I haven't done much research yet.
Would love your suggestions.
With everything else I need to buy for this tank I cannot presently afford a tunze system.
That will have to be a future upgrade.

Stand
I haven't done much research in this area either.
The tank is going into the dining room which opens into the living room. I have considered buying a console that matches the coffee table, media center, and end table in the living room. The sump could go on the lower shelf. The draw back to this is that the lower shelf area is completely open I will probably go with a regular tank stand.

Living Rock
MY LFS has Fiji premium for $5.99/lbs if I buy over 40 lbs.
I know I could probably get it cheaper online but they I cannot hand pick it myself.
I am considering macrorocks.com. This rock is not LIVE but then I would buy less live rock from the LFS to seed the macro rock. 25# fiji and 25# tonga shelf rock would run me $155 plus shipping Then I would buy about 20# LR. I realize I would have to give this more time but I am patient.
Still I will probably buy from my LFS(s) so I can hand pick my LR 50-60lbs = $300-350.
I have also been considering The reef rack that I found on ReeferMadness.com which is a shelving system for your LR. This may be helpful in dealing with my tank size limitations in aquascaping. I could not find anything else on the web abou this product. Anyone know anything about it? It doesnt cost much so I may give it a try.

I still have more planning to do.
Please let me know what you think
I would appreciate any and all advice.

I do know one thing. This hobby is not cheap!

[saltwaterfarm]

WOW... you've been planning. I have a little info to offer on the lights. I have both the sunpod and the outer orbit fixtures. On different tanks, of course. I am very happy with the Sunpod 150 on my biocube. It's only about 20" as well and I have been able to keep anything that I wanted, including Acros. It was a little difficult to get used to the change because my stock hood had actinics. I am very happy with it though...
If space allowed... I would certainly recommend the Outer Orbit fixture... but, as you stated... that bugger is HUGE! Good luck with your new project!

[goldenmean]

WOW... you've been planning

Planning is what I can do right now while I am saving monies for this tank.
I do not want to just buy everything with my credit cards.

its good to know that Saltwaterfarm is happy with the sunpod.
Current USA claims that the 14K lights gives enough blue light that you don't need actinics. But I wanted to get some other's experience on this and not just accept Current USA's claim.

[lcstorc]

Great planning job. You are doing it right for sure.
This is going to be an awesome tank.

[goldenmean]

[burning2nd]

can, the drinking water add on, Really all you have to do is fill a bottle of water from your RODI holding tank and you have the same thing...
save some money.

IMO i would go with the bigger lights if i could, just cause then i know i would have enought to do what ever i wanted 2, (but thats all about $$$)

check out a mag 7 or 9.5 you should be good with one of them for your return pump


test kits?
refractometer?
tds meter at the filter guys will help u with your life of your filters

g/l

Post pics

[goldenmean]

can, the drinking water add on, Really all you have to do is fill a bottle of water from your RODI holding tank and you have the same thing...
save some money.

IMO i would go with the bigger lights if i could, just cause then i know i would have enought to do what ever i wanted 2, (but thats all about $$$)

check out a mag 7 or 9.5 you should be good with one of them for your return pump


test kits?
refractometer?
tds meter at the filter guys will help u with your life of your filters

Thanks for the advice! It is truely appreciated.

I have read several times that you shoud not drink RO/Di water. RO is okay.

I was just worried that perhaps 2 x 250w mh might be too much.
Whie I do want sps and clams this will be a mixed tank.
Whats another $120.00?

Thanks for the return pump suggestions.
I had no idea what size I would need.
Anyone else?

I already have a refractometer and test kits for my nano.
tds meter is on the list for Filter guys.

[goldenmean]

Anyone else with thoughts, suggestions, experience,recomendations, criticism, etc?

[boozeman]

I like the way the bio-balls match the wall color

[burning2nd]

Rodi is fine 2 drink.....

thats a false rumor


i made the mistake of not put'in the money out the first time when i had it,

Now im stuck with what i can keep.... but it worked out for me...

just take your time and post lots of pics

[goldenmean]

It has been a busy 3 months.
I have invested in an RO/DI system from RO/DI Systems
OCEAN REEF + 1 FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI.
It has been great not haveing to lug water from the LFS for the nano.
However my waterpressure is only at 30psi so The system is slow to make RO/DI. I am going to have to invest in a booster pump at some point but that can wait until after the new tank is up and running.

I bought an AGA black pine stand.
nothing fancy but it will work.
and I built a sump from a 15g tall AGA glass tank



I added a glass baffle to seperate the intake zone from the skimmer area to let the skimmer work in a calmer water zone. I used glass swizzle sticks to the baffle and the intake side wall so that I can create an egg crate shelf for running carbon under the sock when I want to.

After the Protein skimmer (Tunze DOC 9005) I decided to go with just a 2 baffle bubble trap (over then under). I did a lot of online research and most bubble traps use 3 baffles but I found a couple of articles and DaveK also talked about just needing 2 baffles. The way I looked at it is why would I want water to fall over the 3rd bafffle and thus create new microbubbles.

Then I added a Mag Drive 9.5 for my return pump.
I bought a LifeReef prefilter box, siphon box, overflow box, siphon overflow, Eurobrace, Euro-brace, Euro-tank
slim prefileter box/overflow which has a 700gph flow rate.
A mag 7 at 3 feet has a flow rate of 500gph while the Mag 9.5 is at 850.
A ball valve will slow flow to within my 700 gph limit.
The height from the pump to the top of the tank is about 3 1/2 feet.

I went to the vendor area at IMAC and came home with a Tunze Turbelle NanoStream Pump 6045
for in tank flow.

Here is a test run yesterday in my back yard. The ball valve has yet to be installed. It all held water and my sump worked too even if my silicone job is none too pretty.

[burning2nd]

dont forget check valve or a siphon brake.....

[goldenmean]

Now for the lights.
I had been tring to decide if I wanted T5 or MH.
I knew I wanted to keep clams so I wanted MH
and I was going to get the Current 48” SunPod 2X250W 14K HQI.
I was saving up the $600+ when an local RS reefer posted a thread that he was getting out of the hobby. He had Hamilton 4' DLX 250W 20,000K 2MH 2 PC COMPACT FL 2-96W that were about 2 years old. I jumped on the opportunity and after he sold his livestock I went to pick up the lights.
Only $200 and he threw in a complete set of new bulbs. This light system with an extra set on lamps goes for $950 brand new. This sure made me grateful that I did not just put new lights on the credit card and bought the sunpods right away.

[goldenmean]

dont forget check valve or a siphon brake.....

The siphon break I understand.
But what is a check valve?

[goldenmean]

Just a few things left to do.

I work in a restaurant and I have ordered a 32g White food grade container with lid and dolly to make new SW in. It should arrive today.

I still need to buy a heater. I think I am going to try Hydor ETH 300 In-Line Heater 300 Watt
Hydor ETH 300 In-Line Heater 300 Watt - 5/8 inch (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Heaters > Inline/ Specialty )
My LFS just started to carry them so I want to take a first hand loook at it.

I still neeed to order salt.
I use Bio-Sea on my nano and plan to use the same on this tank.

I have decided to buy my LR and LS from Tampa Bay Saltwater
Live Rock - Tampa Bay Saltwater Aquacultured Live Rock
I know I willl have to hunt for some pest Hitch Hickers but I am actually excited about that.

I hope to have saltwater in the tank - up and running by the end of this month.