Newbie Question

[Furms]

My name is Jeff, and I have successfully maintained a small (20 g) saltwater fish only tank for about 3 years. Our Petco is having a $1 a gallon sale and I am looking to get a 55-gallon glass tank. I currently have a Fluval 104 (125 gph, up to 25 gallons). I am looking at buying the 55-gallon tank and using the 104 and adding a Fluval 205 (180 gph, up to 50 gallons) stimulatingly. Is this a good plan, or should I just get a 305? I'm trying to enhance my existing equipment, while keeping my wife happy by not spending a small fortune. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you in advance for any help, and advice.

[leebca]

WELCOME to REEFLAND, Jeff !

Glad you're here and glad you've posted.

You've posted in the Saltwater (Fish-Only) Aquarium Forum so I'm assuming that is the proposed system you will be setting up for the 55 gallon. You know the maintenance and upkeep costs and things you need to do, having experience for a few years.

For the FOWLR aquarium, I'd recommend a total of about 8 to 10 turnovers/hour. I can't specifically say if the equipment you propose will achieve this goal, because I don't know the head pressure, how that pump is rated by the manufacturer, and the actual way that the filter pump(s) are installed into the system. You should be able to tell though, if you have or have not about 500 gallons per hour being moved in total by that pump turnover added to the turnover of any powerheads you plan to put into the 55 gallon aquarium.

Since you seem to be focusing on fish, I really recommend you consider using that 20g for a quarantine tank for future livestock. See: A Fish Quarantine Process and: Why Quit the Hobby?

Post often and if you have fish questions, post in the Marine Fish: Care, Health and Disease Treatment Forum. Good luck!