Going to need lots of advice

Its been 20 some odd years now since I,ve had saltwater fish and about three years of reading about reef tanks on the Internet. That,s why I,m calling my tank a experiment tank. I would like to make as much of the system myself,and incorporate all the filtration systems I read about in one (refugium,plenum,mangroves, etc.).This theoretically is going to consist of three separate tanks two 10 gal. on the sides of the 55 gal. as the refugiums and a 20 to 30 gal. sump, mangroves will be in the sump and refs.
All advice would be very helpful. As far as water goes r/o is not in the budget right now so using a pure 3 stage filter that screws on the sink tap, is that acceptable? This is a plan that I,m running through my head. Right now all I have set up is whats listed in my signature.
Thanks again for any advice, this is a great site.

 

Sounds like you need to look into a bigger clean up crew (more snails and some scarlett hermits). I would look into chaeto for your fuge. Are you planning on two fuges, why? How much live rock and sand do you have?

 

Hi,
Make sure you have atleast 1lb. of live rock per gal.of water,plus you want to have roughly 3-4inches of live sand to have a shot with your set up especially if you want to have corals at some future time. May I also suggest, that you get rid of your damsels, as they are very aggressive and will go after your other fish and if you add fish later the damsels will not take it to kindly. Now is the time to do it before you put the live rock in the tank, or you won't get them out with out tearing your tank apart getting them out from hidding in the rocks.
If you wish to have damsels, your best bet are Green Chromis'(Viridis)or the blue Chromis(Cyanea). These are very peaceful and beautiful especially while swimming in a school.
Just do everything SLOW.
Also what type of lighting do you have? You need to think of what lighting you have now and whether or not your lighting is good enough for invert and corals if you do chose to go that route(reef tank).
Best of luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Why 3 sumps? I would keep things simple and use 1 sump. Mangroves are not the best for nutrient export. You want fast growing macroalgae like chaetomorpha, lettuce algae etc.. Your water purifier should be ok. I would use a high quality carbon and maybe a heavy metal or phosphate absorbing resin once you have the tank set up and cycling. You will also want to add some powerheads for more water flow in the reef system. Good Luck and Karma to you!

 

The plan

Here is a bad drawing of my idea based on the Jaurbet plenum. They will also serve as species tanks. Lights will be 2-175 watt metal halides with flouresents in a homemade hood , sump will be in base.
first time posting pics, hope it works

 

very cool

 

Thanks, just hope it works!