Anything missing?

[widdlebiddy]

OK, i set up my 55 gal yesterday. So far, I only have saltwater and aragonite in it. The water is foggy but hopefully it will all settle in the next day or so, then I am going to add a layer of LS then some LR. This is my equipment so far please let me know if I am missing anything, or if I got something wrong.
Dual Satellite with 4 actinic 460nm bulbs and 4 white bulbs (i believe they are 7,000 k something)
Aquaclear Power filter-70 (with carbon pad and ammonia remover pellets)
Aqualclear powerhead-70
marineland heater 150W
Do i need a skimmer or another powerhead?
I have the filter on one side of the corner and powerhead on another and looks like water is flowing to all corners (to what i can see with the small tiny particles). DO ya'll suggest anything else or am i good?!?

 

[reefkprz]

Remove the ammonia pellets they are not safe for marine use, besides you need the ammonia to start your cycle and get your biological filter going.
Probably need to add a couple more power heads to keep your flow rate high
lightings good for most softies (check on the bulbs for the exact spectrum)
is the aragonite sand or crushed coral?
when you add your live sand mix it in it will seed your sand bed faster that way.
other than that it sounds like your ready to add live rock and begin your cycle.

 

[widdlebiddy]

do i replace them after the cycling or just throw em away?
Or should i just buy a different filter? IF so, what kind?

 

[mbx5]

Is this going to be a reef or fish only?

 

[widdlebiddy]

reef

 

[reefkprz]

dont use the ammonia chips at all for the aqua clear you can buy just the carbon pouch.

 

[reefkprz]

are you going to put your lights on a timer?
I like having a skimmer on my tank, some people go skimmerless but I like them especially for begginners.

 

[widdlebiddy]

I'm gonna buy a timer when my tank is finished cycling. The aragonite is sand. and I will take your advice on getting another powerhead. But you think the filter is okay as long as i take out the pellets right? The powerhead seems really strong on the bottom I am gonna take a sponge or somthing and stick it up there.

 

[widdlebiddy]

Does the skimmers make the water more clear and do i use it with my filter or alone?

 

[reefkprz]

use it with your filter, the skimmer removes protiens from your water before they start to break down, if you do buy a skimmer remember going cheap will just cost you more in the long run, I bought a coralife super skimmer 125 rated for 125 gallons when I just had a 20 gal with a 20 gal sump its moved up through three tanks with me and I love it, there are many makes some are good some are not, I have only used the ss125 (after buying a cheapo that didn't work straight out of the box) but I'm sure there are many others here that can tell you about their skimmers and preferences.
remember that the sponge in/on your filter is going to trap waste and food, so your going to need to rinse it regularly to keep it from become a nitrate farm, when you do your weekly or bi-weekly water changes just rinse the gunk out of it in the old tank water so you dont kill the bacteria on it.

 

[widdlebiddy]

thanks so much. I'm definatley gonna buy a skimmer, taking the pellets out, and i never thought about rinising the sponge out so thanks for that!!!! Everyone has been such a great help! :cheer:

 

[reefkprz]

Originally Posted by widdlebiddy
I'm gonna buy a timer when my tank is finished cycling. The aragonite is sand. and I will take your advice on getting another powerhead. But you think the filter is okay as long as i take out the pellets right? The powerhead seems really strong on the bottom I am gonna take a sponge or somthing and stick it up there.
I'd reccomend buying two Digital timers (the mechanichal ones while cheaper are less reliable and prone to mechanichal faliure) set them so your actinic (blue lights) come on for an hour or hour and a half before your white lights then your white lights shut off for an hour before your blue ones for a total light on cycle of 12 hours. I do this plus I have an extra set of lights that come on for three hours right at midday to simulate highnoon you dont need it But I think its cool.