Set up questions

[vermonter310]

Hi All,

I am in the planning stages for a 55 gallon FO tank, I have read everything I can find and there seems to be a drastic variance in what to do, when to do it and how. Here is what i'm planning:

55g tank
Standard LFS hood (probably a 48" or 2x24" Fluorescents )
DSB (most likely "southtown playsand" )
Live rock, Fiji (ordered via the net as I can't find any in my area)35 lbs
Pegiun Bio wheel
2x100watt submersible heaters
Also considering a Red Sea Prizim skimmer. Thoughts ? is it nececcary ?

Questions,

Are the Coralite/zoo-med/triton bulbs effective(worth getting)?
10,000k 40 watt or 20,000 super daylight ?

Should I have a powerhead or two for H20 movement ?

Seems like alot of stuff to HOB.(Due to the stand and where the tank is I cant do a sump)

The reason for the Bio wheel is a limited amount of LR, (can't wait to tell the wife how much I need to spend on "rocks")

I have like 1000 more questions but I'll leave it at this tonight. :?

Thanks for any input,

VT

 

[fishfreek]

First off this is not alot of ?s. Second look in your post for my comments.

Hi All,

I am in the planning stages for a 55 gallon FO tank, I have read everything I can find and there seems to be a drastic variance in what to do, when to do it and how. Here is what i'm planning:

55g tank
Standard LFS hood (probably a 48" or 2x24" Fluorescents )
DSB (most likely "southtown playsand" )
Live rock, Fiji (ordered via the net as I can't find any in my area)35 lbs
Pegiun Bio wheel
2x100watt submersible heaters

Ok. for a FOWLR that sounds like a decent setup. You might look at www.ffexpress.com for live rock. I think they sell it in 45lb box's.

Also considering a Red Sea Prizim skimmer. Thoughts ? is it nececcary ?

I have one and like it much. Some say its loud but I dont think so given its a venturi skimmer most of the noise is the air being injected with the water.

Are the Coralite/zoo-med/triton bulbs effective(worth getting)?
10,000k 40 watt or 20,000 super daylight ?

I woudl go with 1 10K bulb and 1 actinic bulb if you was gonna do a dual light setup. Acutally I would perfer 4 bulbs. 2 - 2' bulbs on either side of the tank.

Should I have a powerhead or two for H20 movement ?

Most definatly. For a 55 gal tank shoot for 550GPH or more flow rate in the tank. It would be very hard to have to much flow.