Equipment for a 50 gal

[sman]

Apparently I had some cash burning a hole in my wallet, so I splurged and bought tank for a SW setup. I have done weeks and weeks of researching, and this is something I really want to do. This is what I had originally planned, but my 29 ended up a FW setup just to get back in the swing of things before going salt, but HERE WE ARE!!!
I ended up getting a 50 gallon, with a VERY nice wood stand. Here is the picture from the

[hr]
, the guy was really nice, I even picked it up same day(today)!

Im super pumped about this. But i want to do it slow and right. I need some advice about equipment.
It came with 2 whisper 20i's which I dont plan on using. I want to get an eheim canister, which is more of what Im looking for, the classic 2213, or the ecco 2234 comfort plus. Or if a HOB is sutible that would be great due to my being a collage student who is quite strapped for cash ATM.
Also how many watts of heat do I need, I have a 125 and a stealth 25 not currently in use, but I dont see this being enough......
Since I was going to do fish only, I was going to stick to 2 t8 fixtures, with a 10k or so bulb.
What is a good powerhead that I can plug into a wavemaker? And will not burn up from the constant on/off. Or is this the wrong route to go?
Is RO completely neccisary, I have been told yes, no, and its nice to have, whats the real scoop?
Lastly, substrate, I was just going to do play sand, and my lfs said they would donate a few cups of their sand and some water to get things going. Is this a good way? If so what play sands are safe that are available here in the US
Thanks all for taking the time to read this, any help is appreciated!

 

[itom37]

I think you need to first make sure you have enough for adequate live rock and a good skimmer. I know it's hard to accept spending hundreds of dollars on ROCK, but it is the foundation of a successful aquarium. If you're planning FO (as in no live rock)... so be it, but do at least get all live sand to provide some biological filtration. Know that a FO setup with no sump filled with live rock is limited to a fairly low bioload (ie not a lot of fish). The choice to skimp on live rock and/or sand makes getting a good skimmer all the more important. Sounds like you're looking for an HOB, in which case I recommend the AquaC Remora (I have a used one lying around...). As for a heater... just get whatever heater it says is good for your size aquarium (I don't recommend Tetra). Your lights should be good. The powerhead... I don't know that the wavemaker is really necessary in a fish only set up. I would just have a static powerhead in addition to the flow from the protein skimmer or canister filter if you decide to go that route (and I know nothing about them).
Post a little more about your intentions for this tank, and I'm sure you'll get the info you need here. Whatever you decide I think your equipment priorities are a good skimmer and a heater. The rest depends on your plans. Live rock or no? Desired stock? Etc.

 

[lecithin]

I have a 50g (I'll have to post pics later) and just ran through the process of getting all of my equipment and getting it going. If you're going FO then I'm probably not as much help as if you were going FOWLR but I'll do my best.
I use the Coralife Super Skimmer 65g for my protein skimming needs and it works great, another model that works well is the AquaC Remora.
The lighting isn't that important on a FO system, its the corals and inverts that tend to need it more.
For heating I run two 150watt heaters in my tank. You can get by with two 100 watt heaters, at 4 watts per gallon that would be more then enough.
RO water isn't necessary, you could get away without it but I don't recommend it. Your tap water has all kinds of fun things in it that your SW fish won't like, they're a lot more sensitive then FW fish. RO water is also much more clearer.
For substrate I use aragonite. You can get it at any LFS for fairly cheap. I have 60lbs in my 50g and that creates a pretty deep sand bed, you can get away with less especially if you don't want a deep bed. I've also heard of people painting the bottom of their tank (the outside ) rather then using substrate. Though without any LR you probably want some substrate to help filter.
I know you're strapped for cash (def been there) but if you can get some LR it'll really add some life and possibilities to your tank. Even if you can only get a little bit at a time its still worth it.

 

[sman]

I guess I was just posting to late, I meant FOWLR, yesterday was a loooong day, and it shows evidently. Lecithin, let me know when you get pictures up, I dont really know where to go with this at this point, im open to all ideas, also what kind of filtration did you use, just the skimmer? Desired stock, i haven't a clue. Something fairly hardy would be nice, colorful, and something that will stay active and not hide when I come to check out my tank, other than that, open to any ideas.
Thanks for the replies!

 

[lecithin]

I use my skimmer and I have a Marineland Emperor Bio-Wheel 400 Power Filter. You don't truly need a mechanical filter besides the skimmer because if you have enough LR and a clean up crew they do most of the work for you (though you do need a scraper and some elbow grease as well).
ooooonnn the other hand I do find my PF pulls out all kinds of stuff from the water so I like having it... its just a bit more maintenance/money (about 45$ for the pf and you have to replace the media every two weeks)
If you get a similar power filter I'll give you the tips that were given to me at that time. If you get the Coralife SS I also have some tips as its a bit tricky to get running at first but is a monster once its going.
Again about the light (I'm saying this more because I wish I had a better one) I have a fixture w/2 bulbs, 39w each, a T5 10k and a T5 actinic. Its a nice light and makes the tank look 100x better then normal buuut certain inverts and most corals demand soooo much more. That being said I know you're probably not planning on getting any special inverts like an anemone or any corals but if there is the slightest chance then mention it now so we can figure out if you'll need more light. I bought a nice light but am not kicking myself as it limits me with coral and some inverts, I want my clown to host an anemone and Id like some basic corals, now I am very very limited.
We can figure out stock soon, this posts getting long

 

[sman]

Well, I went shopping to a lfs thats not so local, never been there before, but boy o boy, was it worth it! Their prices were way better than the chain stores I go to for my FW stuff. This is what I ended up with, I have 50 lbs. of aragonite, 30 dry, 20 live(well within expiration date), I also got a cascade canister filter, as it seems to be the most supported brand locally, and the tank is running. evidently the heaters I have arnt enough, room temperate is 68ish, and I cant seem to get the tank above 72. SG is around 1.022 so I guess I need to bump that up a little. I also got a koriala 1, and a 36in dual bulb t5 fixture with a 10k and an atinic. They were out of live rock, a shippment comes tomorrow morning I will be getting some tomorrow after work. I have the "powerhead" fixture thing on the outlet of the cascade, it also came with a spray bar, would I be better off with that?
Here are some pictures as of about 2 hours ago...

Also how much live rock should I get to start off with, should I also buy some dry rock to go with it?
Edit: Pictures after more time, and tank pretty much up to temp.

Cloudiness has disappeared

With Both heaters running constantly, I think Im going to need an upgrade as this is where the tank has flattend out temp wise, will a 250w be enough?

 

[lecithin]

You always want two smaller heaters rather then one large, so 2x 150w would be much better then 1x 250w
Buy some base rock to put under the sand (sit it on the glass) and then your LR can sit on top of that. Over time your base rock will look just like your LR.

 

[sman]

What is a good lr to br ratio to start with?

 

[lecithin]

well in my 50g I have 60lbs of LS and used approx 50lbs of base rock to get enough of a base so that the LR would sit about the sand bed.
So with your 50lbs of sand I would say you could get away with 40-50. In all honestly you could probably get away with less, it really depends on how you want your rock to stack up. I'll show you a pic of my tank.... of course the left side is completely different now but it gives you a good idea of what all that rock/sand looks like.
The full shot (keep in mind the left side looks nothing like this now) There is 60 lbs of LS, 50 lbs of base rock, and about 45 lbs or LR.

On a side note my tank now has about 10 more lbs of base rock in it because I switched the look of the left side of the tank. I also have about 25 more lbs sitting around lol (one of my students gave me about extra 30 lbs)

 

[sman]

Looks good, thank you for the picture and advice, I am going to get rock tonight after work, I will update you all with pictures.

 

[sman]

Got another heater, one of my old ones will stay in the tank with the new one, giving me 275watts of heat between the 2. A liquid saltwater master test kit, 22lbs of BR and 18lbs of LR. Let me know what you think. Also what is a good glass cleaner to use, meijer natural glass cleaner with vinegar leaves a residue/streaks.
Testing....

Rock pictures

Not sure what the red thing is, but it was only about a pound, and I thought it added charicter, or something like that
What temp should the tank be at? I have heard anywhere from 74 to 82.

 

[teresaq]

Looks good so far. temp between 78 and 80 is fine. Dont use any glass cleaner on your tank. you take a chance of poisioning it. Just use water to clean the outside.
Teresaq
PS thats nice looking live rock. The red one has nice coraline on it.

 

[lecithin]

looking good so far, nice looking rock. You may want to think about keeping the rock approx 3" away from the glass on the front and two sides, it'll make clean up a lot easier. The back is not as important since you'll let it cover up or get it a background anyway.

 

[sman]

I wasn't at all thinking of that so I moved it in from the sides, there is still a good 8 inches from the front of the rock to the front of the tank so I think im set there, but I only left 2 maybe 3 behind the rock.
Also, anything I can do about the cloudiness? It seems real bad after I moved the rock.
Update, just checked on the tank, and there seems to be a film like substance at the surface of the water, what gives?

 

[lecithin]

The cloudiness is just the sand you kicked around, it'll go away. If it stays (it won't) you can turn off some equipment or make sure a PH isn't blowing on it.
hmmm, leave it for now and lets check it tomorrow, its gotta be fine dust if theres nothing in there but LS and rock.

 

[sman]

Right now I have my koriala 1 and filter out pointed at my live rock. Should I point one at the surface? Is surface agitation needed like in a FW tank? Would that maybe clear up the weird film on top of the water?

 

[lecithin]

I don't think you need any surface aggitation. The PH should be pointed so that they even spread the flow as best they can around the tank/LR.
Is your skimmer and power filter going (canister filter was it?) They should clear it up.

 

[sman]

I dont have a skimmer, just the canister and a ph.
Found a hitchhiker! I havent the faintest clue what it is though....

 

[teresaq]

looks like a peanut worm

You will have that oil like slick on the surface. you should point a small powerhead at it for surface agitation. It will also help stablize your ph. you might look into a surface skimmer that hooks to your canister filter if you arent adding a hang on back skimmer.
Aquarium Surface Skimmer
* Helps improve oxygen exchange while skimming surface proteins
* Flow control valve controls skimming rate
* 360° intake float skims from all directions
Skims dissolved proteins to curb nutrient buildup and maintain good water quality. Improves oxygen exchange and light penetration by removing surface film. Easily attaches to your canister filter's intake. Includes suction cup mounts, flow control valve, 360° intake float, and 5/8" flexible hose. 4-1/2" x 11-1/2"; 5/8" hose diameter.

 

[lecithin]

yeah I recommend a protein skimmer. Really helps with that film and other lovely things. I thought you had one thats why the film didn't make sense to me.