Need color!!!!!

[reef_obsessed]

I have a 55 gallon tank
Got a 260 Watt Coral life lite (2-10,000K's and 2-Actinics)If I need better lights let me know
Penguin 330 and two Penguin 1140 powerheads (have another one, if you think I need it)
I have a Wet/Dry that I haven't hooked up (Mega Flow Model 1)Fear of the stinkin thing leakin or overflowing-if it'll help the tank just say the word and I'll hook it up!
SeaClone 100 Skimmer
Livestock=
Common/Hatian Anemone
Six Line Wrasse
Yellow Tang
Scooter Blenny
Coral Banded Shrimp
10 Snails
Corals=
Flower Pot Coral
Tongue Coral
Xenia-tan in color
Mushrooms
Button Polyps
and about 4 months ago I added livesand to the bottom-about 2"+ throughout and got rid of the undergravel
and I have about 70lbs of live rock.
I am looking for color and something that is hardy and will get along with other tank mates, I want something that will get my family excited about, just viewed as a moneypit right now
Any suggestions!!
Thanks,
David
Or maybe-I am right where I need to be after only just over a year of this reef stuff-if I need to be patient - tell me

[wozza]

nice bright blue maxima clams are extreamly colourfull.

[Reefland]

Perhaps some nice sun polyps or zoa's? There are lot's and lot's of colorful, hardy corals that can be added. You might even look into a nice bubble coral or frogspawn.

[zhenya]

nice bright blue maxima clams are extreamly colourfull.

With the lights that David has keeping T.maxima would be very problematic if not impossible.

David, I understand your fear of leaking water everywhere.., we all done it at one time or another. Having said that, I think your tank and chances of keeping brightly colored corals would improve greatly with addition of the sump, better skimmer and little more punch on the lighting front, maybe.
Just my 2 cents, mind you.

Drilling a small hole in the U-tube should break syphon and prevent overflowing, so that should take care of the fear of leakage.

[reef_obsessed]

Thank you all for your suggestions!
Zhenya-better skimmer and little more punch on the lighting front-
What type of skimmer and lighting do you suggest? Please be specific, I remember reading that VHO's are good if they each have their own reflector, but what type of skimmer? Can't upgrade all at once, but it'll give me something to save up and work toward. Wouldn't it be great if we could sell our hair for reef money!?!?!?
And I'll hook up the stinkin sump, I've only wanted one for 15 years now I have had this one a year and it scares me to death to hook it up-go figure
And Reefland-I bought a frogspawn coral today-Really pretty specimen (hopefully the family will like it?!?!)
And Clams ROCK!!, but I don't think I am ready for them, from what I've read, yet-thanks anyway Wozza.
And for the record, I know that my family is probably not going to 'love it' as I do. But you all remember the very first reeftank you saw and how it kinda took your breath away-well I'd settle for a 'wow' or 'pretty neat'. Just give em a glimpse of what I (or 'we')feel for this hobby, you know?
Keep those suggestions coming-and thanks
David

[zhenya]

What type of skimmer and lighting do you suggest? Please be specific, I remember reading that VHO's are good if they each have their own reflector, but what type of skimmer?

I think you meant T5 bulbs perform better if placed under individual reflectors, VHO's will do fine with one reflector for all of them. But yes, T5 or VHO set up will be exellent as lighting goes, and I believe cheaper overall to run as they consume much less electrisity then halides for example.

Skimmers.., once you hook up your sump the choices are limitless. You can either go with bekett style or neddle wheel type skimmers, both are powerfull enough. I personally like GEO skimmers but they are expensive this days, however you get what you paid for.

[reef_obsessed]

Just bought some new lights-yaay! T5's, six bulb system=3 actinic and 3 10,000k. It is like the sun!!!! Tank and inhabitants much happier. Need to add additional fan though, gets a bit hot on the switch side. Have to redesign my canapy, currently have it off. I found an icecap variable speed fan w/sensor, but do I push air into the fixture or have it suck air out to cool it appropriately? I'm no electrician, so I hope the best answer isn't to mount it inside the unit It is a Finnex unit TL-T4854 has one fan built in on one end (blowing out), which is a much cooler end but there are no switches or cords on that end either.
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks,
David

[kevinpo]

Hi David,
You should have one fan blowing in and the other blowing out of your canopy. A 3" or 4" type from Radio Shack will work or if your LFS carries PFO fan kits they come with the guard, cord and plug. The kit should run $29.99 for either the 3" or 4" ones.
A neon green Hydnophora (Horn) coral would look very nice. Just be sure to give it about 3" around it so it can't shake hands with its neighbors

HTH,
Kevin

[dibenni]

hey david,

i've been thinking about getting a similar lighting system for my 55 - do you mind me asking where you got it and about how much in ran you?

thanks,

nick

[reef_obsessed]

Kevin still waiting for my LFS's the get the Horn coral you suggested-it looks electric!!! I got two 1 1/4" fans that seat nicely on the side of the unit sucking air out-heat is no longer an issue. Thanks for your help man! I did have to put my heater on a timer opposite the light-now it is a consistent 77 degrees-sweet.
I got the light for $475 from a LFS. I'd sell it to ya for $425 with free shipping if your interested. It's a great light and has really stepped up the tank, but I just got to have that freakin LED setup. That thing is amazing!!! And about $2500 (somedays I wish I wasn't so obsessed!!!! ). I'll throw in the extra fans and everything. Let me know...
The obsession continues......

[reef_obsessed]

Updated pic

[dibenni]

david,

thanks - i'm exploring some options right now - don't want to impulse buy something only to want to upgrade again in a few months. i'll keep it in mind though.

your tank is looking good!

nick

[reef_obsessed]

No biggie. You can also go to that MarineDepot or Dr. Foster and Smith and research there. I think they'll kinda sock ya shipping, but I'm not sure. Problem I've seen with online sites is that the bulbs aren't included. And at $15-20 a pop it gets up there in price. What does this term 'impulse' mean?
I'm lookin at a $2500 friggin light, what the hell do I know??
As for the tank, I'm really triing to take better pics. They just don't come out as well-I'll keep triing....