I am going to set up a 55 gallon marine (fish only) tank and after reading the Newbie section and other material found on the web, I am confused regarding a few issues.
1. Filters - Does a protein skimmer count as a filter? If so, do I need to add an additional cannister or bio wheel to complement this setup. If not, can anyone recommend a standard setup, i.e. "One cannister, one bio wheel and a protein skimmer."
2. Is there a need for UV sterilizer? If so what size is required for a 55 gallon tank? (also, any equipment recommendations?)
3. In a fish only tank, should I add live rock? I really don't understand this recommendation (I saw it on another web site). I thought, by definition, "fish only" meant substrate and fish only.
I really would like to see a model recommended setup covering lights, filters, protein skimmers, UV sterilizer, sand, substrate, live rock, etc. Other hobby forums keep updated versions of the "model" sometimes giving both a "state of the art" and a "economy" model.
Thanks for all of the information posted on this forum. It has been very helpful.
Bill Schultz
1. Filters - Does a protein skimmer count as a filter? If so, do I need to add an additional cannister or bio wheel to complement this setup. If not, can anyone recommend a standard setup, i.e. "One cannister, one bio wheel and a protein skimmer."
2. Is there a need for UV sterilizer? If so what size is required for a 55 gallon tank? (also, any equipment recommendations?)
3. In a fish only tank, should I add live rock? I really don't understand this recommendation (I saw it on another web site). I thought, by definition, "fish only" meant substrate and fish only.
I really would like to see a model recommended setup covering lights, filters, protein skimmers, UV sterilizer, sand, substrate, live rock, etc. Other hobby forums keep updated versions of the "model" sometimes giving both a "state of the art" and a "economy" model.
Thanks for all of the information posted on this forum. It has been very helpful.
Bill Schultz