55 gallon tank

[Confucious21]

i would like some advice on setting up a live rock/fish tank the guy at the pet store quoted me 700 dollars and another guy at the same store told me 400, so i'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. i really want to do it right and i'm kind confused as what to do if anyone has the time to help i would really appricate it. thanks for your time


Mike
Waco TX

 

[OrionGirl]

A lot will depend on what kind of rock you get, and if you get a reef-ready system (drilled to allow plumbing for a sump), if it includes any filters/pumps, lighting, etc. Most the 'reef-ready tanks are a good choice, while the kits that include lights and filters are not such a deal--very little of that equipment is needed, and can be done individually cheaper.

For a 55 FOWLR, I would want the following:

Tank. Probably not reef ready--overflows work just fine, IMO. 75-100 pounds rock (probably about 50 pounds of dry base rock, the rest good live rock). Protien skimmer. Sump (20 gallon tank, most likely). Magdrive 6 pumps. 4 AquaClear 402 powerheads. 300 watt heater, or 2 200 watt heaters. For lights, I would likely go with PC, just because of the increased flexibility for adding corals down the line, and there's not a huge cost difference between PC and NO. 3-4 inches of playsand.

 

[JerkyBob]

the base rock can be purchased "fairly cheaply" at www.hirock.com the sand can be purchased at "most" walmarts. on the small label on the bag it will say old castle.



The One
The Only
The Jerky Bob :dance

 

[Ray Pollett]

A 55 gallon FOWLR is easy and cheap.

1- 55 gallon tank & stand

2 - Emperor 400 filters

Playsand from Lowe's or Home Depot

Live Rock ( I personally would use www.tampabaysaltwater.com for this).

1 - 48 inch light hood.

After cycle add a few small colorful fish.

Ray

 

[ben72227]

4 AquaClear 402 powerheads

aquaclears are good, but you might want to check into maxijets - depending on your budget.

mostly FOWLR don't require many of the things that more advanced reef tanks have. you don't have to worry about expensive halide lights or expensive skimmers (ex. euroreef), as you probably won't be keeping tempermental invertebrates.

i think that everyone so far has you on the right track, but i might suggest not worrying about the sump (unless you later plan on having a reef system). PC (power compact) lights will work fine for your setup. I suggest (as did jerkybob) using old castle sand for your subtrate and (as ray suggested) tampa bay saltwater for your live rock. i don't know if i would use the the emperor filters though, i would go with a good protein skimmer - maybe a cpr bak pak or an aquac remora - or if your budget is tight a red sea prizm would work. hope this helps. by the way, this hobby can get expensive - keep that in mind.

 

[Ray Pollett]

I do not reccomend the Emperor 400 filters without a reason.

Very reasonably priced - $39.99 ea + shipping at Drs Foster and Smith.

Give great water movement at 400 gallons an hour flow rate. No need for Power heads in a 55.

Using the carbon pads help keep water quality up and gives a place for pods to grow and multiply safe from preditation without using a sump.

Very easy to clean and use. Requires very little maintenance time.

I'm confident enough in them, they are the only filter I use on customer's tanks unless the customer is ademate about no HOB filters. I then charge extra to do the maintenance because of the extra time required to do the tank.

Ray