55 gallon build

[supersporter69]

Hey Guys;

I think I am going to Take all your advice and get rid of the eclipse 3 system and upgrade to a 55 gallon set up. here is my question... My friend has a 55 gallon that he is going to give me that has NEVER had copper in because he once had a reef tank in it.. Second I want to keep what I am doing going with some inverts Live rock, soft corrals and a couple fish.. Now here is my question, Im trying to build this on a budget. I want to build a hood for it. what lights and size would u guys recommend for a 55, i have been looking at the compact florescent. Also is just using a Remora protein skimmer enough filtration or do i need anything else?

Thanks!

[Parrothead]

Hey Guys;

I think I am going to Take all your advice and get rid of the eclipse 3 system and upgrade to a 55 gallon set up. here is my question... My friend has a 55 gallon that he is going to give me that has NEVER had copper in because he once had a reef tank in it.. Second I want to keep what I am doing going with some inverts Live rock, soft corrals and a couple fish.. Now here is my question, Im trying to build this on a budget. I want to build a hood for it. what lights and size would u guys recommend for a 55, i have been looking at the compact florescent. Also is just using a Remora protein skimmer enough filtration or do i need anything else?

Thanks!

Live rock, sand, the remora, will be excellent and pretty much do what you need them to. Look into a couple of power heads, Hydor K-2's will work great, also dump the compacts and go with T-5's, a 4 bulb fixture will do nicely, compacts aren't all that great and the bulbs cost an arm and a leg when it's time to replace them

[supersporter69]

I have 1 K2 already and about 44lbs of live fiji rock in my 29g.. So another K2 and which Remora would you suggest? the rio 800 pump or the maxi jet? and for lighting a 4 ballast 36" T5 kit will work the best or a different size? the tank is 48" long

[Parrothead]

I have 1 K2 already and about 44lbs of live fiji rock in my 29g.. So another K2 and which Remora would you suggest? the rio 800 pump or the maxi jet? and for lighting a 4 ballast 36" T5 kit will work the best or a different size? the tank is 48" long

Look at the Nova Extreme pro 4 bulb 48" fixture, it will fit nicely over the 55, I've got the AquaC remora running on a lightly, very lightly stocked 55, I would go with the aquaC remora pro with the mag 3 pump, you'll be glad you did

[supersporter69]

you have been a great help.. in a 55 gallon will i be able to keep a tang or butterfly fish safely? I just want to have more than a clown and some damsels to look at lol

[Parrothead]

I would not recommend a tang or butterfly fish in a 55, however there is a wide array of fish that can be kept in a 55, if you are looking at a predomaintly reef tank, you really don't want alot of fish in there anyway, do a little research into gobies, firefish, pygmy angels, etc. you will find alot of fish that can be kept in a 55

[ToddTT]

+1 on no tangs or butterfly fish

This is a good site to look for minimum tank sizes and compatibilities:

Saltwater Fish: Marine Aquarium Fish for Saltwater Aquariums

Nano Fish

Blennies, chromis, cardinalfish would make decent choices as well.

If you get a pygmy angel, make it the last fish that you add. This may help minimize its territorial behavior. They prefer a mature tank as well, for better grazing opportunities.

Take your time, compile your list, and post it here if you want feedback.

[supersporter69]

do you guys think this is an adequate light.. I dont see what the difference is in brands as long as its a light?

48" 4ft T5 HO Marine Reef Aquarium Light 216W 4 Bulbs - eBay (item 300407848317 end time Apr-15-10 20:57:06 PDT)

[Parrothead]

Please keep in mind, you do get exactly what you pay for, personally, I wouldn't trust that light, it's way to cheap, and believe me, I've been shopping and comparing as I need a new light for my 55, and am also in the planning stages of a 180 gallon sps dominated tank. So yeah, I've done alot of leg work already, and that's why I recommended the fixture that I did. It is your choice, but I wouldn't

[supersporter69]

I agree with the you get what you pay for. I think im going to buy it and try it out, if it works good i got a good deal and can recommend it to others. if it does not i think i learned my lesson haha

[Parrothead]

Before you buy it, send the seller an e-mail and find out who actually manufactured the light, there has been some chinese stuff come in that made some people want to check their home owners insurance to see if they were covered for fires resulting from electrical causes. Be careful, check it out, and if you still get it, let me know how it works out

[supersporter69]

i just sent him an e-mail. I want a good light, I just cant afford $500 right now.. I already wasted about $1200 in flushing fish before I got on this forum lol. and now my tanks thriving! but i want it bigger.

[Parrothead]

Just a small little bit of advice here,

don't ever rush anything in this hobby, sometimes it's better to sit back and save and get the right part for the job, patience is THEE most important part of this hobby, I know this from experience. Don't rush things and do it right out the gate, it will save you alot as you travel the reef tank road

[supersporter69]

will the marine land heater that came with my 29g work on a 55 or no? i dont remember the watts?

[supersporter69]

okay what about this option?

WavePoint Technology 48" High Output T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 4X54W WavePoint Lighting Wave Point

[Parrothead]

WAY BETTER than what you are looking at on ebay, the only disadvantage I see on this light is the lack of ability to work a dawn/dusk application, that could be corrected by adding a cheap genereic strip light with an actinic bulb in it, not a big deal. You would be better off with the wavepoint vs. the unknown please don't let my house burn down while I'm at work fixture

See what a little research will do;;;;;;;;

[supersporter69]

lol my question is you said a nova extreme pro 4 light fixture i can only find 6 bulb in the pro series or r u talking about this one?

Current USA Nova Extreme T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 4X54 Watt, 48 inch

[Parrothead]

That's the one, sorry, working on the 180 has got what few remaining brain cells I have stuck on the nova extreme pro

[7digits]

Congrats on getting rid of the eclipse 3 system. I just got rid of the hood on mine, unfortunately I'm not yet allowed to have a bigger tank. Did you say you were gonna build a hood? If you are you should look at the icecap retrofit kit. It may save you a bit of money, or another retrofit kit.