55 Gal Beginning

Definitely new to the saltwater world. I have been keeping FW for the past 10 years and have been wanting to jumpp into SW for the past 5 years. I have done tons of research from books and forums like this.

Well, I saw on CL a 55gal with overflow box, stand, sealife systems sump, and other things for $100. So I had to buy it.

This is my husband straightening it out


this is the sump that i won't be using. I am building my own


the overflow



I have since painted the tank black


i am slowly buying everything else that i need. I havent decided on a protein skimmer. I am only going to be able to fit a 10gal refugium underneath. If you look at the first picture of the tank, the cabinets are open and you can see that middle brace is way too wide to fit anything larger underneath.

I have ordered 2 koralia 3 powerheads to begin with, Wave Point HO T-5, 50 lbs of Marco Dry Rock (will seed with LR from LFS), live sand.

So i need a good HOB skimmer. anyone know of a good one that isn't going to cost me a fortune?

 

Nice! Off to a good start. Remember to take it slow and ask a lot of questions!

 

thanks! I will def. be asking a lot of questions. I have had this tank for over a month now, I want to do it as close to "right" as i can.

 

octopus makes good skimmers. I have the octo bh 800s on my 46

 

i was actually just looking at their skimmers, they look nice.

 

welcome your at the right place for help many smart aquarist here

 

lol i can see that! i was a member of a different forum, but lets just say it didn't work it. never got any responses, i am loving it on here so far!

 

Nice start FLfishgirl

Octopus are decent skimmers
AquaC remora are also another good quality HOB skimmer worthy of consideration IMO

Steve

 

ya i agree with steve if the delema is space for a skimmer just get a HOB i also agree that octopus makes good skimmers

 

thanks

funny thing....it is between the 2. octopus and remora. kinda crazy that those 2 are the first 2 suggested.