can it be done

Hi,
i wanted to convert a 55 gallon African cichlid tank that i have set up to a reef tank. I have a 29 gallon reef tank with soft coral and and some sand base that i would be transferring into the 55 gallon. I was wondering though if the filtration system and lighting would work on my 55 gallon.
There is a fluval 304 filter...will that be enough? cause i haven't really heard of many people with fluvals in there reef tanks. i also have a hang on filter.
The other topic i was wondering about was the lighting...i have 110w compact lighting in my 29 gallon, which i'm sure i'll need upgrade. Now i have an extra compact sitting around , so i was wondering if had a canopy and connected all three, which would make 165w for the 55 gallon, would that be enough? Can i used compacts in a canopy?

thanks for any help

 

I would not worry about using mechanical filteration if you are going to turn the 55 into a reef tank.  Get yourself enough liverock, livesand, and protein skimmer and you should be good to go.  Roughly 2 lbs per gallon of liverock should do it for a 55.  

Lighting even though watts isn't really the way to measure it, I would go with 3-4 watts per gallon, which would put you at 220 watts of PC lights.  You can put compacts in a canopy, I would recommend some fans to keep things cool.

You should also consider making a sump that will contain the protein skimmer, heaters ect....it also increases the overall volume water in the system.

Sean

 

Hang on to the fluval! I have a bunch of softies and run carbon24/7 and PhosX in my fluval. JMHO the lights will enough for some softies, but check out aquatraders.com you can get a 211 watt MH T5 combo for $149---yes $149 you could more with that, better intensity(sp) I agree on the sump-also make a refuge in there with macro God Luck!

 

Ah sorry it is the 48 in MH T5-the smaller only has MH/PC still great deal

 

thanks for the replys...they've helped alot...but i have another.
i'm pretty new to the reef ideas, so i don't really understand what a sump or refuge is and how they work. I've seen some diagrams, but what i don't understand what really is the point of it? In my 29 gallon i have about 50 lbs of live rock, but i plan on adding at least 50 more, would that be enough? would i still need a sump?
I have a prizm hang on skimmer, can you use that on a sump?

thanks again

 

The sump is basically a water resevoir where you can do many things such as mechanical, chemical and biological filtration along with a refugium for growing macro algae to remove excess nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates which degrade water quality and promote unwanted algae growth.  The refuge is a natural way and best way IMHO to maintain high water quality when used in conjunction with live rock and water changes.  The sump sits below your tank or behind it and increases the total water volume of your tank which is a good thing.  It will hold your in sump protein skimmer, heater if you choose, as well as a deep sand bed, live rock rubble among other things to help remove waste and excess nutrients.  I don't think the small Prizm skimmer can be used in sump and I don't think it would be adequate for a 55g tank.  The prizm skimmer is not very efficient and was probably just adequate for a 29g IMHO.  There are better options like the CPR bakpak or SR series, remora and excaliber skimmers among others for reasonable prices.  Hope this helps some.