55 Gallon list? Lighting question

[littlesalty]

Hello, brand new here! I have kept freshwater aquariums for several years (it all started with a betta in a bowl..I call him my gateway fish) and am finally braving this new world of saltwater. I am going very slow, have been reading and researching for a few months now, and think I am getting the idea of how to start and what I need. But I just hoped you could critique my list here and let me know if you would do anything different. I will be getting a 55 gallon (wanted at least 75 gallon, but getting the 55 for free from an older gentleman.) Here is what I plan on purchasing:
Skimmer: Aqua C Remora
Pumps: x2 Hydor Koralia #3
Filtration: DIY 20 gallon sump (Very confused on how to build this, luckily my husband is a plumber! I'm sure he can figure it out!)
RO/DI system
50lbs base rock
20lbs live rock (is Marcorocks.com any good to order from?)
Substrate: 50lbs aragonite sand
lighting:?? Will this work for an eventual reef aquarium? http://www.petmountain.com/product/aquarium-led-light-fixtures/11442-524765/marineland-reef-capable-led-lighting-system-with-timer.html
Or this?: http://www.***********.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=XX09242&child=XX09248&utm_source=adwordsfroogle&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=adwordsfroogle&utm_content=XX09248&gclid=CKP04eiW17QCFQ-e4AodogYAmQ
I live in Northern Maine were electricity costs are OUTRAGEOUS. So I would really like some LEDs as I hear they are cheaper on the electric bill. I'm already biting my nails at how much this tank is going to cost to run per month.
Also will need an overflow, titanium heater (200 watts be ok for 55 gallon?), test kit, then perhaps some inverts, fish and corals. But this will be months down the road!!
How am I doing? Am I forgetting anything? Great to be here, have been lurking for a while and figured I would come out and say hello.

 

[saxman]

Welcome!
Are you planning on drilling your tank or using a HOB overflow? If you're going to drill the tank (a much better way to go), you might consider adding the holes for a closed-loop (CL) rather than running powerheads (PH) from the start. That will remove a couple of unsightly pieces of equipment from your display tank (DT).
Just tossing an idea out there...
The first light is OK, but not the brightest...we have a smaller model (sans timer) on one of our FO growout tanks.
I have no experience with the second light, so I can't offer an opinion for a reef application (I've been an FO person for the past few years...quit reefing, as I've kinda found a "niche" with venomous fish).
HTH

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleSalty http:///t/394084/55-gallon-list-lighting-question#post_3507159
Hello, brand new here! I have kept freshwater aquariums for several years (it all started with a betta in a bowl..I call him my gateway fish) and am finally braving this new world of saltwater. I am going very slow, have been reading and researching for a few months now, and think I am getting the idea of how to start and what I need. But I just hoped you could critique my list here and let me know if you would do anything different. I will be getting a 55 gallon (wanted at least 75 gallon, but getting the 55 for free from an older gentleman.) Here is what I plan on purchasing:
Skimmer: Aqua C Remora For the money you could purchase a better quality skimmer....Move the skimmer to the sump and avoid hanging extra stuff off the tank....Reef Octopus, Skimz, Bubble Magus, just to name a few......
Pumps: x2 Hydor Koralia #3
Filtration: DIY 20 gallon sump (Very confused on how to build this, luckily my husband is a plumber! I'm sure he can figure it out!) Not super complicated, I'm sure you can figure it all out....I'd recommend going as big of a sump as you can fit under the tank.....A 20 is rather limiting IMHO....20 gallon long would work, but a 29 gives better dimensions.
RO/DI system
50lbs base rock
20lbs live rock (is Marcorocks.com any good to order from?) Marcorocks dry rock is really nice....Haven't bought any of their "live rock".....Personally I'd save cash and go dry and buy a few pounds to seed your dry rock.....
Substrate: 50lbs aragonite sand
lighting:?? Will this work for an eventual reef aquarium? http://www.petmountain.com/product/aquarium-led-light-fixtures/11442-524765/marineland-reef-capable-led-lighting-system-with-timer.html
Or this?: http://www.***********.com/ps_viewitem.aspx?idproduct=XX09242&child=XX09248&utm_source=adwordsfroogle&utm_medium=cse&utm_campaign=adwordsfroogle&utm_content=XX09248&gclid=CKP04eiW17QCFQ-e4AodogYAmQ
I live in Northern Maine were electricity costs are OUTRAGEOUS. So I would really like some LEDs as I hear they are cheaper on the electric bill. I'm already biting my nails at how much this tank is going to cost to run per month.
Also will need an overflow, titanium heater (200 watts be ok for 55 gallon?), test kit, then perhaps some inverts, fish and corals. But this will be months down the road!!
How am I doing? Am I forgetting anything? Great to be here, have been lurking for a while and figured I would come out and say hello.
Not a bad initial list......Possible somethings to consider......I didn't see you mention anywhere about a return pump.

 

[littlesalty]

Thanks for the great advice! Just when I think I am starting to get it all figured out, I read more and then get overwhelmed again.

I have decided on the reef octopus though, have read lots of great things about it. And I would love some of those LED AI vega lights. Pricey, but they look like they are great lights. I would probably have to purchase 2 for a 48'' tank, correct?
Luckily this is going to be a slow build, getting it all piece by piece, so I will have lots of time to research. I am now starting to think I am going to purchase a 75 gallon tank, sounds like they are easier to aquascape. Plus gives me a little more room to play with, maybe I can get my tang! (only a Kole, nothing bigger, I promise!!)
As for a return pump, I'm thinking something like this?
http://www.**************.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4604&cmpid=03csepg&ref=3475&subref=AA
With this as an overflow?
http://www.**************.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18358&cmpid=03csepg&ref=3475&subref=AA
I have an empty 29 gallon tank sitting in the basement, I might just use that as a sump and put a skimmer in that, maybe have a little fuge. One of my biggest fears is the power going out and the sump overflowing, what do you do in case of a power outtage?
So many questions! Thanks guys!!

 

[saxman]

In a sump-type system, your rate of return governs the drain rate from your DT, so assuming you leave ample room in your sump for any "backsiphon" from your return/drain lines, and have siphon breaks in place, the flow will stop upon power failure and restart when power is resumed.
That being said, you CAN "overpump" a tank (return rate is greater than your drain rate/overflow rating). This will result in your sump being pumped dry and your DT oveflowing, so try to match your return pump's flow rate with that of your overflow (be sure to take head loss into consideration from your plumbing, any devices in line with your return, and the height you're pumping water from your return). Something I do is add a "bleed-off" line from my return line back to the sump like this:

The bleed valve will allow you to match your return rate more closely to your overflow's rating, as well as "tune" your system for "max quiet". You'll probably want to use a Stockman standpipe mod in your overflow to quiet it down. I use Durso-style standpipes, but a Stockman mod takes up less space in smaller areas such as HOB O/F boxes.
HTH