Advice on next step

SmokeOneLV · 03-24-2006, 07:49 AM

With the advice from all of U my tank is looking nice so far. I appricate it very much. Im sorta stuck on my next step and just wanted to get a little advice from u pros.

a little about what i have so far.
-55 gal. (4" long, 13" wide 20" tall) Fish and live rock is what i want
-Fluval 304, Emperor 400 power filter, ( I took out the undergravel filter great advice)
-(2)AquaClear 70 Power heads, and AquaClear 50 Power Head (is this to much water movement for this size tank?)
-and 17lbs of live rock

The tank has been up and running for about 5 weeks, but i just added the live rock last week.

Just looking for a little advice and let me thank all the great minds ahead of time. THANKS

blue_eyes53813 · 03-24-2006, 12:29 PM

Sounds like a great start.. I dont think you have to much flow. I guess you could waite and see when you add fish if they have trouble in the flow or adjust the placement at that time.

If you just added liverock you might have a small cycle again.. I am going through the same thing sorta.. I am on my third tank(in 5 years) and I cant afford to buy about 150-200 more lbs of liverock at once. So I really have to watch the cycles from adding the live rock... If you can afford ( and intend) on adding more rock. I would add it all at once. If and when you add fish it could be stressful for them.

Are you gonna get a skimmer? That would be a good investment and may do better than the filters...

Good luck and cant waite to see some pictures.

Woodstock · 03-24-2006, 01:25 PM

The flow sounds fine. You can always adjust (remove/move) power heads later if you need to. Next step? Skimmer & lights... will it be a FO or reef?

SmokeOneLV · 03-24-2006, 07:28 PM

Im going for Fish and live rock, Im a little scared to go with corals because of all the horror stories my LFS was giving me about going with the corals. So im just looking to have fish and live rock. Im not in a rush to get fish in right now trying to accumulate my live rock first. It was suggested that i get about 40-50lbs of live rock does the sound about right? or what would you suggest? And should i get my skimmer and light now or can i wait till im ready to put my fish in?

and with the protein skimmer i would run that with my other pumps still running? or would i only have to run the skimmer? And whats a good skimmer for low to medium budget?

Witfull · 03-25-2006, 01:18 AM

skimmers are a 24/7 piece of equipment.

and,,,i have found corals, especially shrooms and leathers,,,,easier than fish.

Woodstock · 03-25-2006, 09:10 AM

I would get 1 - 1.5 lbs of rock per gal of water and I recommend the AquaC Remora pro HOT skimmer with a mag 3 pump. Get the 'pro', it is bigger... make sure you get the skimmer cup overflow too! I have mine draining into a gallon jug.

Corals are easy. Start slow with softies... you'll get the hang of it quickly

03-24-2006, 07:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
SmokeOneLV Tubeworm Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 30 View Gallery Karma Komment	Advice on next step With the advice from all of U my tank is looking nice so far. I appricate it very much. Im sorta stuck on my next step and just wanted to get a little advice from u pros. a little about what i have so far. -55 gal. (4" long, 13" wide 20" tall) Fish and live rock is what i want -Fluval 304, Emperor 400 power filter, ( I took out the undergravel filter great advice) -(2)AquaClear 70 Power heads, and AquaClear 50 Power Head (is this to much water movement for this size tank?) -and 17lbs of live rock The tank has been up and running for about 5 weeks, but i just added the live rock last week. Just looking for a little advice and let me thank all the great minds ahead of time. THANKS

03-24-2006, 12:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,866 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Advice on next step Sounds like a great start.. I dont think you have to much flow. I guess you could waite and see when you add fish if they have trouble in the flow or adjust the placement at that time. If you just added liverock you might have a small cycle again.. I am going through the same thing sorta.. I am on my third tank(in 5 years) and I cant afford to buy about 150-200 more lbs of liverock at once. So I really have to watch the cycles from adding the live rock... If you can afford ( and intend) on adding more rock. I would add it all at once. If and when you add fish it could be stressful for them. Are you gonna get a skimmer? That would be a good investment and may do better than the filters... Good luck and cant waite to see some pictures. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

03-24-2006, 01:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,594 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Advice on next step The flow sounds fine. You can always adjust (remove/move) power heads later if you need to. Next step? Skimmer & lights... will it be a FO or reef? __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

03-24-2006, 07:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
SmokeOneLV Tubeworm Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 30 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Advice on next step Im going for Fish and live rock, Im a little scared to go with corals because of all the horror stories my LFS was giving me about going with the corals. So im just looking to have fish and live rock. Im not in a rush to get fish in right now trying to accumulate my live rock first. It was suggested that i get about 40-50lbs of live rock does the sound about right? or what would you suggest? And should i get my skimmer and light now or can i wait till im ready to put my fish in? and with the protein skimmer i would run that with my other pumps still running? or would i only have to run the skimmer? And whats a good skimmer for low to medium budget?

03-25-2006, 09:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 23,594 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Advice on next step I would get 1 - 1.5 lbs of rock per gal of water and I recommend the AquaC Remora pro HOT skimmer with a mag 3 pump. Get the 'pro', it is bigger... make sure you get the skimmer cup overflow too! I have mine draining into a gallon jug. Corals are easy. Start slow with softies... you'll get the hang of it quickly __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistence conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

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