Rockstar's 56g

I just setup my 56g tank that measures 30L x 18W x 24 H. It has been about 5 years since I have been in the hobby and I can't decide what kind of reef I want to build. I really want to build a SPS tank but don't know if this tank will be a good choice for that. Any thoughts?

So far I have about 60lbs of sand and 16 lbs of live rock. I used Stability to help start the cycle. I have an aquaclear 70 filter for now and not sure what the best way to go about the filtration since this tank doesn't have an overflow.

I plan on buying the EcoTech LEDs as soon as it's time. For now it's just a plain old strip light.

Any thoughts or ideas on equipment or directions I should go will certainly be appreciated.

 

Welcome.
We'll, you can make it and SPS if you'd like since your going the LED route.
You'll definitely want to not skimp the skimmer department. Maybe a Reef Octopus BH2000 or an AquaC Remora Pro. I was at my LFS Monday and he had a new hang on AquaC skimmer that dwarfed the Remora Pro, it's the biggest hang on I've seen.

So between a great skimmer and another 60 pounds of rock, along with consistent water changes, you should be fine in the filtration department. You have an RO/DI unit yet?

 

Not yet. I have been wanting to get one but don't really know much about them. Is it something I can setup in my garage or something?

 

off topic. wats that thing in the background with rockstar on it in the 1st pic?
only reason I ask is cuz I'm drinking one right now and I love it lol

 

haha that is my 8ft Rockstar Bar. I'm a single guy so I get to have all the fun toys..

 

You might want to add more rock to your tank IMO. Since you already started your cycle you can just get regular cheap base rock. ( reefcleaners.org is a good place to get them)
I usually just add 1lb per gallon, but If you don't like too much rock maybe around 35-40lbs of rock should look nicely.
Plus you get more space for coral placement.

As for SPS I think almost any tank can do it as long as you have the right equipment.

 

Looks good. Agree with adding some more rock.

Also be careful of your buddys drinking a few to many and then playing pool. Might knock a pool ball into the front of your tank which would be baaad news.

 

Welcome, nice tank so far! heres my input on your situation. Look at spectra pure rodi units, you can get em refurbished for cheap. And itll save you so much $ in the long run.(no gas to get water at the store, money for water, and if you use tap, no battling nasty algae) not to say some wont be prevalent but 0tds water will help deter it from happening. and you can put it anywhere there is a water hook up, mines under my bathroom sink, but you can do it on the washer hook up, faucet, garden hose hook up.

If you have room for a sump/fuge in the bottom of your tank i would look into doing that! specially if you want sps, they like clean, constant water, which that will give you. A nice skimmer and some macro algae will do you good.

Eshopps has some nice skimmers, and affordable too, as well as overflow boxes you could use to get water down there(if you dont want to drill!)

if you did wanna drill, i would say thats the best route. youd have to empty the tank tho, and order parts.

Other than that, looks like youve got it. May want more flow in there with some powerheads. I think if you got an mp10 from ecotech, that would be all you need (and it will work in unison with the radions to create storms, diff wave and tidal patterns, its awesome!) if not just get some koralias or maxxi jets.

i would think about getting that HOB filter off, not to say you cant get away with using one, just theres more tried and true methods of filtering, that would only benefit you in the long run if you took the time and did it now.

 

Thanks for all of the feedback so far

Live rock is next on my list. I think I am going to add another 50 lbs making it a total of 66 lbs.

I am going to go with the Reef Octopus skimmer. It seems to fit the budget and looks solid.

Sadly I don't have enough room in the stand for a sump the way it is designed. Everything I do will have to be HOB.

I was looking at the EcoTech powerheads and man are they pricey... I will probably be going with a cheaper set lol.

 

koralia Evolution are pretty good and decent pricing.