Steve Goldsmith's 55 gallon tank build

I just bought a 55 gallon tank yesterday off of Craigslist. The tank is a bit banged up and scratched, so I might use the $1/gal sale at Petco(if it's still going on) to get a new tank. Here are some pics of the tank:









I'm going to start out by making it into a FOWLR tank, but in due time, I will convert to reef when I get proper lighting. I'm going to take it as slow as my patience will allow. And I wouldn't mind help with choosing livestock.

Edit: not sure if thisis the correct category for this thread.

 

Looks like a nice set up.

The petco sale is still going on.

Bet you cant wait to get started!

 

Doesn't look real bad. A vinegar bath followed by a very good rinsing might help you decide if it is worth keeping for a display. It definitely could be used for a sump. Let us know what kind of fish you like and we will let you know how they will fit in the tank and a reef.

 

I have no patience at all. I've got to wait till the weekend to get water and sand however. :/ this week is going to go by slowly...

 

Well a pair of my favorite clowns, Onyx Percula Clowns, and I have my eye on a Flame angel. I could experiment with corals when I get proper lighting. I'm looking for good size and vibrant coloring. Thanks for the help.

 

Flame angel=no coral

 

Flame Angel could be a problem in a reef tank. They are 50/50 when it comes to sampling the coral. Red firefish and purple firefish have some decent color. Royal Grammas would do too. They are all reef safe. The fish don't get much longer then 2.5". Look into fairy wrasses also.

 

My brother has a 93 gallon cube, and he's had a couple dwarf angels in the last couple years. He's the one who got me started in this hobby. His tank is stuffed with all types of corals, you can hardly see the rock. He's never had a problem with a dwarf. I know there's a risk, but there's no harm in getting a little frag for him to experiment with. If it does turn out to be a bad seed, I know that my LFS will gladly take it back. I was thinking about getting a small hippo tang, and returning it when it got too large, but he'd most likely be unhappy in that small of a tank even as a juvenile.

 

how about a starry blenny or algae blenny?

 

I'll have to consider it. I see them at my LFS all the time. They don't look the best, but how they act ends up in me staring them for 5 minutes at a time.