Am I ready to setup my tank????

D

doxponygirl

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May 9, 2003
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OK...here it goes. I have been studying the 'Conscientious Marine Aquarist' for some time now. My question, is do I have everything to setup my salt water tank or not??? This tank is going to start off with fish, invertibreas and live rock. I would also like to add coral at some time later.

Specs:

* 55 gl. tank
* 48"custum canopy Lighting: 2)55 watt bulbs, 1 daylight bulb, 1 actinic bulb
* 75 gl. wet/dry filter
* visi-jet protein skimmer(will be purchasing a bigger one soon)
* 2) 930 whisper power heads
* 4" of southdown playsand/w 1" crushed coral w/ 5lb.live sand(will be purchasing)
* 50 lbs. live rock(to start with)
* plenum
* 10 gl. refugium
* salt
* master test kit
* hydrometer,thermometers,timer, algea scrapper, 2) 150 watt heaters(submersiable)
* 15 gl. mixing bucket,power head,75 watt heater(for water changes)

I believe thats what i have for now. Anyone see were I may be needing something else or may need to change something before I setup this tank? Thanks all suggestions highly welcomed.
:D Almost forgot, what water additives do I need for the live rock if any?
 
It sounds like you have everything you need and then some. You may want some stronger lighting to increase your options for corals, but I'm sure someone else on the board is better capable of commenting on that. I haven't done much research on corals yet.

Live rock doesn't need any additives, coraline algea will grow just fine with the lighting you have.

Good luck!
 
Thanks Delta!!!!
Think I may have a better setup for the lighting. Hopefully this will do for soft and hard coral.

2) 50/50 Actinic White Lamps with 2)50/50 Super Actinic Lamps @ 110 watts each.

Does this sound right ????? I am not setting the lights in until I can get this right....lol !!! But my setup has to consist of 4)48" bulbs. Thanks!!!!
 
If you or someone you know is making the lighting canopy for you then you should think about putting in a couple of red light bulbs. Put them on a seperate switch so they can be turned on when the main lights are out so you can see all the cool stuff that goes on at night!

The 2 bulb VHO setup sounds alot better. 220 watts (4 watts per gallon) sounds pretty good.
 
Thanks everyone for such kind help.!!!!!!! I believe my setup is ready.

The plenum was built by me, I had some good d.i.y. plans for this. I do need to do some more indepth reading on the pros and cons of the plenum. But so far, (in my personal opinion), there really has been much negative spoken about this. It seems to me that both have some really good points and little bit of a down side. Maybe in another 10 years we will all be hearing about something new to try. But until then....maybe i will try a plenum with a deep sand bed and see how that turns out!!! I will have to keep you posted on that once my tank is up and running. Thanks again!!! Nanette
 
Sorry Delta, forgot to reply to your post. I have heard of people doing that. But do you think I could put in 2 blue colored lights instead, mimicing the moon light? Let me know your thoughts on this....Thanks!!!!!!!
 
2 - 55 watt PC bulbs give off aproximately the same light intensity as 2 - 110 watt VHO and use less electricity. Both will work.

Every study I can find that I would consider being done properly or close enough to at least consider the results; shows that you are probably better off with a DSB and no plenium.

Ray
 
I missed the question about the blue lights. That is what we are seeing more and more of. Some of the newer lighting systems include the blue "Moon " light on a seperate cord.

Ray
 
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