Returning Reefer

Hello everyone,

I wanted to introduce myself to this wonderfull community of reefers. I used to work at a LFS (forgive me) setting up tropical and cold water reef tanks, wiring the light hoods and misinforming people. This was in highschool but that was a while ago and SOO MUCH has changed since then.

I am currently setting up another reef tank. I was going to go with a 35 hex but a friend of mine gave me a deal on a 55 setup so I took it. This is what I have so far

55 Gallon Drilled in the upper left corner of the back.
20 Gallon long sump
4 x 54 T5 HO lighthood
Custome made trickle filter out of a kittly litter bucket
25 pounds of baserock

I still need a heater, protein skimmer, return pump and a couple koralias.

There will be fish in the tank but not too many ( 4 or 5) and mainly soft corals and creepy crawly things. I will cycle the tank with about 30 more pounds of liverock and add 5 or 10 pounds of livesand to another 40 pounds of plain sand.

Question 1) Since I only have 24 inches above the sump I cant fit an Urchin pro in the tank. Which would be a better skimmer, the Urchin which is only rated at 75 gallons or a Coralife Super Skimmer 220. I cant affort the EV series from Aqua C but dont want a total POS skimmer.

Question 2) I was thinking of a Quiet One 4000 return pump. The drain is a 1 inch PVC with only 1 x 90 and 2 x 45 elbows in it so it should be able to keep up. The pump is rated at 1000 GPH but i doubt I will get more than 650 GPH due to about 4 feet of lift.


Let me know if you can think of something it looks like I missed.

Szrazzt

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef! Glad you found us...
Best of luck to you as you continue your saga in the undersea marine world!
Things look good so far...get some pictures uploaded!

 

I wish I had entered this hobby with such foresight.. : )
I'm sure you will be successful, parameters and basic care has not changed that much over the years, so you have a giant step ahead of allot of the people blasting into this hobby.....present company not included lol ; ) Welcome to the reef and I'm sure your gonna dig it.
K+ for preparedness!! : ) ...is that a word? LOL
LG

 

Welcome to 3Reef>>>>>

 

I'm taking my time putting the tank together because I want it to come out well and because my wife put the christmas tree up where the reef tank is going to sit. =)

Does my pump choice look ok? has anyone used the quiet one pumps before?

 

Yes it is!!!!! And a good one at that.

I second that motion......

....and Welcome to 3reef.

 

Welcome to 3reef, hope you enjoy your stay.

 

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