Help Setting Up New Reef

[millie3]

Hello!
I am so glad to find this forum. I will need lots of help. Preparing to set up a 55 gallon reef with fish and invertebrates. Coral is unlikely. I plan to purchase filtration and live rock, but I am confused about how much and what type of filtration to combine with LR. Fluval canister, Eheim canister? Wet/dry trickle? Is a protein skimmer recommended? If so, will an inexpensive one be sufficient? Thanks! :help:

[dorkfish]

Forget canister, wet dry, power filters... your live rock and the protein skimmer is the only filtration you will need. Add to that enough power heads to give you a 20x per hour turnover rate, and your done.

Yes, protein skimmer is highly recommended, not completely necessary, but is one of the best things you can do for your tank. Don't cheap out on it, spend the money to get a decent skimmer. Some of the cheap ones are more or less just a wast of money and electricity. Coralife super skimmer is a good one for the price (Costs about $150-200 if you look around for a good price).

Oh ya, FWIW, generally the term, "reef" refers to a tank which supports live coral... since you aren't doing that, yours would be called a "fish only with live rock" or "FOWLR".

[Reefscape]

All i can really say is to follow Dorkfish's advice, said it all really...

Just want to re-afirm a point or two...Dont skimp on the products you buy. You will suffer for it in the long run, and lets face it, you "are" getting into the fish keeping hobby for the long run, and not just a fad as some people do..

Your going to be looking for around about 110lbs of live rock for that size of tank to provide adequate mechanical filtration and sand bed is another thing to think about..

As you are not going to be going down the Reef route, lighting is another thing to concider, but no where near as expensive as lighting for corals...

Keep us informed of your decisions, and ask lots of questions, we are here to help and remeber, there are never any stupid or dump questions, just ask ask ask....

Look forward to seeing another nice tank explode with life and colour...

Niko

[millie3]

Thanks to both of you! Don't worry, I won't skimp on the skimmer, I guess I thought if I hade a super filter, the skimmer ws less important.

A few more questions....If I decide to keep some easy coral, will your filtration recommendations be the same? I know lighting will differ....My fish store recommends 130 watts and says a lunar light is not necessary. Do you agree?
Also, I saw some discussion on this site that play sand is adequate if you have sufficient live rock.
I plan on a 55 gallon corner tank with a bow front. Very exciting!
Once I get all my stuff sorted out, I will post a list of my intended purchases and get feedback.
Thanks again.

[Reefscape]

Hiya mate...ye, the filtration will be exactly the same...

Lighting will depend on what you are looking at keeping...Whether it Metal halides or T5 fixture..

I would go more for aragonite sand as this will aid in balancing the pH and aid filtration...

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CS0930

Sounds like its gonna be a nice setup..Keep us updated with pictures along the way..

anymore questions, just shout up...

Niko