Newb. enough said.

Pre-game · Apr 18, 2012

Hey yall,,

I have been researching quite a bit. but i needs some helps!!!!

I am going to be running a 55gal with Lr/Ls of course. and my aqua-something 110) carbon bag style hang over back filters( at least to get me going with the lr/ls and start the tank cycling....) I used to have 2, I know that I at least have one still in working condition.... I am taking the plunge and converting from years of freshwater antics, so i have no prob with the waterchanges and mad scientist alchemy...

anyways im looking for someone to tell me a rough estimate on some things... im not going to say the cheapest.. but the best bang for my buck... anyways im looking to start a reef tank with 4 fish tops... no more prob less... of course inverts, and cleaners.. im tinkering with the idea of a sump tank.. but --

-Is a sump tank recommended for my plans?
-what is a good size sump for a 55?
-what brand is a good hang over sump thing, (ive heard some are better than others..)
-protein skimmer ness.?
-reactor ness.?
-if yes to these, what sized pumps would i need to create enough gph?
-any good brands you all would like to advise for any of this stuff would be excellent..

im looking at Led lighting for cost/heat/and longevity issues..

-how many lumens are efficient for growing coral well?
-460mn good for night lighting? does this help growth at night or just aestetic?
-i happen to be looking at some LED lights by BeamWorks, not to be confused with beamswork. but they are 174 Led with actnics ?sp) and produce 900 lumens, for the price and width of them i could get a few on the top on the tank, even tho they are 48" L they are only about 5" wide..

-so with that being said would 900 or 1800 lumens be sufficient for growing corals and whatnot?

this is all the questions I have for now, I have learned so much but I feel like its never enough... im not looking for the craziest system, just a good working one.. thanks

Pre-game · Apr 18, 2012

oh.. heres a link to the ebay where i found those lights,,, if they are sufficient i will purchase... trying to get all my ducks in a row so i can start the cycle with some rock and sand,,, maybe some lighting on my ghost tank... haha

eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

ZC42 · Apr 18, 2012

i think you have a good start, but the lighting may not be the best option. For starters, it's for a FW tank, which requires different lighting than SW tanks. Lighting is something that is definitely worth your money- NOVA fixtures are good, and fairly priced. but even more important are the bulbs. I'm not sure about LEDs, but if you're going t5 route, ATI are the best out there. I think ecoxotic makes amazing LED fixtures, and have heard great things about rapidled too.

Todd_Sails · Apr 18, 2012

A Sump? DIY a sturdy Rubbermaid container with smaller containers in it for compartments/baffles, etc.

A skimmer? SC150- best bang for the buck, bar none.

LIghts? TaoTronic LED's-again best bang for the buck; the skimmer and Led's are found on Ebay.

Good luck

Pre-game · Apr 18, 2012

Excellent.. Thanks guys

nept2n · Apr 18, 2012

Pre-game said: ↑

Hey yall,,

I have been researching quite a bit. but i needs some helps!!!!

I am going to be running a 55gal with Lr/Ls of course. and my aqua-something 110) carbon bag style hang over back filters( at least to get me going with the lr/ls and start the tank cycling....) I used to have 2, I know that I at least have one still in working condition.... I am taking the plunge and converting from years of freshwater antics, so i have no prob with the waterchanges and mad scientist alchemy...

Per-game just like you I am a newbie crossing over from freshwater land. I see you have been doing research but I recommend you do a lot more. There is anwealth of information on the next and You are already on the best site to answers to your questions. I've been researching information since January when I decided to crossover. It's 4 months later a I am just starting on my tank.

At first I thought I would go FOWLR and then I decided to go Reef. I think you should first set a budget of what you are willing to invest in your setup. Are you planing on using the same FW tank or are you starting with everything new? See below

anyways im looking for someone to tell me a rough estimate on some things... im not going to say the cheapest.. but the best bang for my buck... anyways im looking to start a reef tank with 4 fish tops... no more prob less... of course inverts, and cleaners.. im tinkering with the idea of a sump tank.. but --

-Is a sump tank recommended for my plans? Yes it definitely is better
-what is a good size sump for a 55? I am starting a 90 gallon with dual 20 gallon sumps. There is a saying in saltwater bigger is better but at minimum a 20 gallon I would recommend
-what brand is a good hang over sump thing, (ive heard some are better than others..) are you referring to hong on the back skimmer or refugium? If you go with a sump you will have your skimmer in there no need for an HOB
-protein skimmer ness.? Absolutely necessary water changes along wont do the trick. The protein skimmer will remove waste, un eaten food before they become phosphate and then ammonia and so on.
-reactor ness.? If you are planning on having corals you will need to dose with calcium and alkaline to promote coral coral and to keep them healthy. You can dose manually, with a dosing pump from a resevior of premixed solution or IOU can use a calcium reactor but this option requires additional equipment which if you are on a budget can be very expensive.

-if yes to these, what sized pumps would i need to create enough gph?
-any good brands you all would like to advise for any of this stuff would be excellent..
That would depend on the tank setup. Is predrilled or overflow box. If predrilled and new the specs for the tank will be available in the instructions. If it is overflow box it would depend on the size of the box and it would also tell you what your gph would be. For your return pump you need one that would give you the same amount of your fLow rate. However before you buy one you need to compensate for head of height pressure. Example I'm using a mag 9.5 which is rated at 950 gph but that is at 0 HOT but at 5' HOT it operates at 700 gph. There are some pretty neat calculators on the net that can help you figure it out
im looking at Led lighting for cost/heat/and longevity issues..

-how many lumens are efficient for growing coral well?
-460mn good for night lighting? does this help growth at night or just aestetic?
-i happen to be looking at some LED lights by BeamWorks, not to be confused with beamswork. but they are 174 Led with actnics ?sp) and produce 900 lumens, for the price and width of them i could get a few on the top on the tank, even tho they are 48" L they are only about 5" wide..

-so with that being said would 900 or 1800 lumens be sufficient for growing corals and whatnot?

LED is always a good choice for the reasons you mentioned. Again this would depend on the corals you pland on stocking. The link to the LED on eBay in my opinion will not cut it. It states it right there Freshwater. You need higher than 65k more like 10k but what makes corals thrive better with greater coral is the actinic blue. You will want more blue out put than white. On m 90 I plan on using a true lumen pro 12k, deep blue and a marine fusion during the day and acitinic moonlight for the night. I want my coral color to pop.

this is all the questions I have for now, I have learned so much but I feel like its never enough... im not looking for the craziest system, just a good working one.. thanks
Click to expand...

Sorry for the long reply but I guess that what happens when you done 4 months of research. Your head get full of info but I'm still learning a lot from everyone on this site

ZC42 · Apr 18, 2012

oh and it's aqua clear 110

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Newb. enough said.

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Newb. enough said.

Pre-game Astrea Snail

Pre-game Astrea Snail

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Todd_Sails Giant Squid

Pre-game Astrea Snail

nept2n Coral Banded Shrimp

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