Hello all,
I have acquired a 55g and after about 3 months of reading and research and I starting to gather the supplies to start my first reef. I still have lots of questions and want to make sure I do this right.
The plan:
I plan on doing a 55g system with about 50-70 lbs of live rock(enough to make a nice scape most likely a wall. a few power heads and a skimmer. for lighting I will go the LED wrought. The local fish store owner builds some nice Led systems for a 40 led set up about $299.
I will be doing a shollow sand bed about 1-2inches deep.
I do not plan on drill the tank and for alteast the first 6 months I do not plan on adding a sump or refrug.
My thoughts:
Are the max jet 400's any good as circulation pumps?(500gph) flow.
I would do 3 of those 1 pointed behind the rock wall and 2 bouncing of the front glass.
Would a koralia 550gph and 750gph be better?
I have a friend with a spare hob filter should I run that will carbon and filter floss? or is their a better way to run carbon without a sump?
heater
Finnex 200w Digital Titanium Heater or ViaAqua Titanium Aquarium Heater 200w
skimmer options?
Is an Eshopps HOB psk-75h anygood? I have read some good review and seen few negative.
test kits- I will be going with api for ammonia, ph, nitrate, and nitrite.
I am unsure about the others like calcium and magnesium. any suggestions?
I plan on keeping mostly lps, leathers, mushrooms and zoas. I might get a clam or a scallop or maybe way down the road some sps, but it will be an lps and zoa dominated tank. Not sure about fish, but I have time. adding a cuc and fish atleast 2 months before any coral is added. obviously after the tank has cycled.
any tips pointers or ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Joe
I have acquired a 55g and after about 3 months of reading and research and I starting to gather the supplies to start my first reef. I still have lots of questions and want to make sure I do this right.
The plan:
I plan on doing a 55g system with about 50-70 lbs of live rock(enough to make a nice scape most likely a wall. a few power heads and a skimmer. for lighting I will go the LED wrought. The local fish store owner builds some nice Led systems for a 40 led set up about $299.
I will be doing a shollow sand bed about 1-2inches deep.
I do not plan on drill the tank and for alteast the first 6 months I do not plan on adding a sump or refrug.
My thoughts:
Are the max jet 400's any good as circulation pumps?(500gph) flow.
I would do 3 of those 1 pointed behind the rock wall and 2 bouncing of the front glass.
Would a koralia 550gph and 750gph be better?
I have a friend with a spare hob filter should I run that will carbon and filter floss? or is their a better way to run carbon without a sump?
heater
Finnex 200w Digital Titanium Heater or ViaAqua Titanium Aquarium Heater 200w
skimmer options?
Is an Eshopps HOB psk-75h anygood? I have read some good review and seen few negative.
test kits- I will be going with api for ammonia, ph, nitrate, and nitrite.
I am unsure about the others like calcium and magnesium. any suggestions?
I plan on keeping mostly lps, leathers, mushrooms and zoas. I might get a clam or a scallop or maybe way down the road some sps, but it will be an lps and zoa dominated tank. Not sure about fish, but I have time. adding a cuc and fish atleast 2 months before any coral is added. obviously after the tank has cycled.
any tips pointers or ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Joe