I'd like to take this opportunity to say hello and thank you for all the great advice I've already received from this forum during the past few weeks. You all seem very knowledgeable and helpful, and certainly a big plus for everyone new to the hobby...
About myself... aquarist since the age of 5 (19+ years, on and off), owned every freshwater fish from mollies to discus but never saltwater, prized aquarium was a 75 gallon discus show tank which was running for 5 years, most recent aquarium was a simple 29 gallon with a breeding pair of angelfish in my apartment at college... have finally decided to test my luck in the realm of reefkeeping
So, as much as I hate to start a thread that is essentially the same as one we have running (Noobeef's 29 gallon...), that is exactly what I'm going to do...
I just ordered an AGA 54 gallon megaflow tank from my LFS... for $10 more, the guy offered to hook me up with a T5 single bulb reflector, which I did (knowing this won't be nearly enough light in the long run, but seemed stupid not to)... I won't have it for another 2 weeks, so I still have plenty of time for more planning...
Along with the tank, I plan on buying the biggest sump that will fit in the stand... at my LFS, this was a Sea Life(I think...?) rated for a 75 gallon... I think this should work fine, and the fit was like a glove... if anyone does know of a better sump setup that will fit in a 54 gallon corner stand, input here would be appreciated....
Currently comparing protein skimmers...this is one area where I have zero experience (obviously) so I certainly need some help here... there are a million options, and I don't really know what I'm comparing ... In the long run, I'm going for a full blown reef, so for a 54 gallon aquarium, which protein skimmer(s) would you all recommend (specific make and model would be great )... no price limit (not trying to spend $10k on a 54 gallon, but planning on dropping whatever it takes to have this thing with the best setup possible)...
As far as substrate, what are the essential differences between DSB and SSB? I had figured on throwing a mix of 20 lbs live sand and 30 pounds dry sand... any ideas how deep this would put my sand bed in a 54 gallon corner tank, and would this be the right amount?
My plan...
Dry sand in the tank, fill it (will have my own RO system will be setup within a few days ), set parameters and warm, add live sand, set up filter, add live rock... go from there...
How does this sound?? Any advice would be great! Oh, by the way... I'm planning on documenting the whole thing with my digital camera, my hope being that this thread may eventually be half as cool as some of the other tank projects on this site
I will give you my .02 and I'm sure the others will chime in and give theirs, especially Carmie, who I believe has a 54 corner.
1. The T5 will be fine for keeping the tank FOWLR (fish only with live rock). Honestly, while you are learning over the next couple months , this will be fine. You can add to it later if you decide you want more light loving critters.
2. I'm not familiar with the Sea Life sump. Most of us are the type that DIY our stuff, but if that is not your thing, it may be fine. What return pump are they suggesting for it??
3. Skimmer...you have a ton of choices and its a decision thats best made once you have the tank running and can see ow much space you have under the stand.
4. SSB vs. DSB is still very much debated. I personally dont care for the look of a DSB in the display, but thats just me. Which ever way you go, I would skip the bagged live sand and instead seed your sand bed with a cup of sand from another trusted tank (or tanks).
Hi Brandon and to TR. Michigan??? Ann Arbor??? Oh, no!
Seriously, I love my 54. It is such a dramatic looking tank. I have an old wet/dry filter box for my sump. (I know Bobby, it still needs cleaned. Truly!) I would probably not buy a wet/dry just to use as a sump but it is an option. It really only holds the water doesn't filter but it fits perfectly.
So, as much as I hate to start a thread that is essentially the same as one we have running (Noobeef's 29 gallon...), that is exactly what I'm going to do...
That's quite alright, Brandon. We "old timers" know that every reef set up is different, every "newbie" has different questions. Well mostly there the same but, we understand it's a process, a learning curve.
Quote:
I just ordered an AGA 54 gallon megaflow tank from my LFS... for $10 more, the guy offered to hook me up with a T5 single bulb reflector, which I did (knowing this won't be nearly enough light in the long run, but seemed stupid not to)... I won't have it for another 2 weeks, so I still have plenty of time for more planning...
Please, excuse my laughter! That two weeks is going to fly by. The 54 corner is a nice size to start off with. Our resident 54 corner expert, Carmie, has already responded. She is a great source of info. A T5 single bulb reflector for $10 was a steal. Even if it's not enough, you will find uses for it later on.
Quote:
I plan on buying the biggest sump that will fit in the stand... at my LFS, this was a Sea Life(I think...?) rated for a 75 gallon... I think this should work fine, and the fit was like a glove... if anyone does know of a better sump setup that will fit in a 54 gallon corner stand, input here would be appreciated....
I'm a firm believer in BIG sumps. When considering the total system volume, having a big sump adds water volume and a margin of safety. BUT BE CAREFUL!!! Many people squeeze themselves right out of room in their cabinet stands. You need to have room for pumps, UV Sterilizer, skimmer, plumbing, electrical stuff...be mindful of that when you "design" your out of sight area.
Quote:
In the long run, I'm going for a full blown reef, so for a 54 gallon aquarium, which protein skimmer(s) would you all recommend (specific make and model would be great )...
There's a wide selection of skimmers to choose from. In recent years I have used several, Red Sea Berlin, Top Fathom, and Bermuda brands. Of those, I think the Red Sea model would fit your needs well. I really liked mine. I used it on a 75 gallon. Not only did it kick butt (ie, skim mate) but it dismantled easily for cleaning. There are many others and someone else will chime in.
Quote:
no price limit (not trying to spend $10k on a 54 gallon, but planning on dropping whatever it takes to have this thing with the best setup possible)...
Sorry, can't help myself. I'll bet you come closer than you think.
Quote:
As far as substrate, what are the essential differences between DSB and SSB? I had figured on throwing a mix of 20 lbs live sand and 30 pounds dry sand... any ideas how deep this would put my sand bed in a 54 gallon corner tank, and would this be the right amount?
There are several important differences between a DSB and a SSB. First, the DSB is a minimum of 4" and a SSB is anything less, usually an inch or two. Second, the purpose of the DSB is to provide an anaerobic (lacking in oxygen) area for the conversion of Nitrate to Nitrogen gas. Here is a link to an article by Dr. Ron Shimek (considered to be the Guru of DSBs) - Sand Bed Secrets Click on the thumbnail pic of the book, it's a short, informative read. Consider it your first assignment.
Aragonite sand is the preferred medium for DSBs and SSBs. Getting it at a reasonable price has become as impossible as cheap gas. I have it at a reasonable price BUT, shipping it is costly. Plus I haven't found the right container to ship it in. Sorry. I am working on it though. Avoid crushed coral!!!
Quote:
My plan...
Dry sand in the tank, fill it (will have my own RO system will be setup within a few days, set parameters and warm, add live sand, set up filter, add live rock... go from there...
Any sand you buy, dry or wet, you are going to want to rinse to get the dust out. If you don't, you will be fighting the "dust storm" in your tank for quite some time.
When you buy your water system do not stop at an RO system. Get an RO/DI system of 100 gal per day capacity. DO NOT spend over $100 plus shipping for the unit. Here is a link to Aqua Safe Systems unit on e-bay - Aqua Safe System RO/DI You might question, why 100 gpd??? Trust me you will be glad after you own it. Besides the cost difference between that and a 50 gpd is negligible.
Looking forward to your tank build thread.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
Amphibious... you said to get an RO/DI system... ok, I can do that, however I already have a Kent Marine Hi-S RO system from my discus days (when I said I'll have it hooked up, I mean I'm just waiting to get it from my parents' house lol)... soo, question: Is it worth me trading up for an RO/DI unit? If so, I'm more than willing to dump mine on ebay for whatever it's worth and buying something different...
I guess I didn't realize you already had the Kent RO Hi-S unit. I'm not familiar with the
final resulting water product from that unit. I do know that RO/DI water is better than simple RO water. I think the Hi-S stands for removal of silicates which would be good if your source water had excess silicates. However, I am of the belief that an RO/DI unit would take care of silicates. It's up to you.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
Hello Brandon! Glad to have you aboard. Seems like the gang has pretty much covered everything so far. One can never have enough planning time nor information when starting up a reef. And it's like taking on another child to raise also, but the rewards are priceless.
Yo B... welcome to TR. Glad to have you aboard. I think, you and I need to have a couple of cold ones...and figure out how to turn them lakes up there....into really, really, big reef tanks
... In the long run, I'm going for a full blown reef, so for a 54 gallon aquarium, which protein 
)... no price limit (not trying to spend $10k on a 54 gallon, but planning on dropping whatever it takes to have this thing with the best setup possible)...
), set parameters and warm, add live sand, set up filter, add 
to TR. Michigan??? Ann Arbor??? Oh, no!
(I know Bobby, it still needs cleaned. Truly!) I would probably not buy a 
icon under their name to add to their reputation. 
Please, excuse my laughter! That two weeks is going to fly by. The 54 corner is a nice size to start off with. Our resident 54 corner expert, Carmie, has already responded. She is a great source of info. A 
Glad to have you aboard. Seems like the gang has pretty much covered everything so far. One can never have enough planning time nor information when starting up a reef. And it's like taking on another child to raise also, but the rewards are priceless. 
