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Recent content by Mrduna01
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Not sure on which bulbs but that is a crap load of light for a 55 if its high output... Co2 will be required if you don't want algea to be the centerpiece.
For sure need a new fixture. Your looking for a t5 high output fixture with at least four 54 watt bulbs for that kind of wattage but pressurized co2 and a lot of plants will be a must for a tank with that much light.
Salt and live plants don't mix... I would avoid the salt if you do not want to risk the plants. I used heat only for two weeks at 86 degrees and beat my ick.
20 lbs should be more than enough. You may have a small mini cycle afterwards but do a 50 percent water change everyday for a week and you should be good to go. Just monitor your water closely for a bit.
Ick doesn't like warm temps.. it just speeds up the life cycle making the cyst fall off the fish faster, making treatment effective in a shorter amount of time. I raised my temp to 86 and was ick free in two weeks.
Water changes are needed, in an established tank with normal conditions, when nitrates surpass the disired level. You can test nitrates often to get a feel for how long you can go between water changes or opt for a 30 to 50 percent change weekly.