Firing up the old 55 again

[aquiman]

Hi all. After about 20 years I'm breaking out my old 55G tank to start it up again. I really wanted to start new with a larger tank somewhere between 90&125 but cash is limited so I'm stuck with the 55 for now. I never used a sump or skimmer in the past and want to buy now with the hopes of using them later when I go larger. Im pretty sure a larger sump is fine but not sure if buying a skimmer rated for 125 is too beefy for the 55 while I'm stuck with it. Also, the 55 is not drilled and when i go larger, I'll get a drilled tank... Not sure this matters other than different plumbing...
Is Octopus the skimmer brand to go with? Advise appreciated! Thanks

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquiman http:///t/392151/firing-up-the-old-55-again#post_3480572
Hi all. After about 20 years I'm breaking out my old 55G tank to start it up again. I really wanted to start new with a larger tank somewhere between 90&125 but cash is limited so I'm stuck with the 55 for now. I never used a sump or skimmer in the past and want to buy now with the hopes of using them later when I go larger. Im pretty sure a larger sump is fine but not sure if buying a skimmer rated for 125 is too beefy for the 55 while I'm stuck with it. Also, the 55 is not drilled and when i go larger, I'll get a drilled tank... Not sure this matters other than different plumbing...
Is Octopus the skimmer brand to go with? Advise appreciated! Thanks
Welcome to the site.....I love my Octopus skimmer. Tunze is also a great skimmer brand, but pricey.

 

[aquiman]

Thanks flower. Is a skimmer for a much larger tank too powerful for the 55 now? I only want to buy it once and use it again later when I go larger.:hi:

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquiman http:///t/392151/firing-up-the-old-55-again#post_3480676
Thanks flower. Is a skimmer for a much larger tank too powerful for the 55 now? I only want to buy it once and use it again later when I go larger.

Ideally get a skimmer rated for both sizes...I had a Tunze rated 40 to 60. I used it on my 30g long with a 30g sump and on my 56g column tank... If a skimmer is too small it can't skim enough, and if it is too large it won't skim at all.
They were talking on here on how to make a skimmer out of a lg Coke bottle...you could go that route until you get the bigger tank.
Tanks run in certain sizes...for example...55g, 75g, 90g and 110g are all 48 inches long. SO any lights that size you can upgrade between all those size tanks and almost the same equipment will work.
Once you go into 125g and such you go to 72 inches. so the equipment from the 55g isn't going to work on a 125g.
If you are just setting up, it's cheaper to begin with the tank you want. So you only purchase equipment 1X...use the 55g as your sump and get your larger tank. You won't need a skimmer for a few months after set up...lights and filters, rock and sand are all more important.

 

[aquiman]

Thanks again flower. Going with the larger tank now would be ideal, but it's not an option for cash reasons. Can I buy a skimmer rated for up to 125g now and use it on 55g? I'd rather not try to make it... Not sure it matters but it will be fish only tank. Thx again!

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquiman http:///t/392151/firing-up-the-old-55-again#post_3480687
Thanks again flower. Going with the larger tank now would be ideal, but it's not an option for cash reasons. Can I buy a skimmer rated for up to 125g now and use it on 55g? I'd rather not try to make it... Not sure it matters but it will be fish only tank. Thx again!
Make one out of the coke bottle...it looks like an easy thing to try. You won't need a skimmer for a while anyway, save your cash for that big tank.
I did look up the specs on the Reef Octopus 1000sss that I have, and it is rated for up to 125g, I don't know how small of a tank it would go on...it doesn't say...but it costs $329.99...I got my 90g all glass tank, with a stand and canopy for $400.00 brand new. 2 lousy weeks later the 125g went on sale at the same store for $450.00 with a stand and canopy. Tanks are cheap....if that sounds like allot of money...LOL, you better run for hills now before the SW addiction really hits you.
If you want a 125g 6 foot tank it makes no sense to purchase equipment for a 55g 4 foot tank. Get what you want to start with. This hobby is very expensive, the size tank is just the start, and possibly the cheapest part of the whole set up...you may even find a good deal on e-Bay or Craigs list. If you don't want the 125g for a year or more get/use a cheaper skimmer and save your cash.

 

[aquiman]

Flower, you are killing me with logic. Thanks again. I guess it's time for a reality check on my end. I also thought of another reason to start larger... If I upgraded later, I'd have to cycle the new tank and would need stuff from the 55 to do it... Well, I guess I'm back to the drawing board:flame:
Thank again!

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquiman http:///t/392151/firing-up-the-old-55-again#post_3480777
Flower, you are killing me with logic. Thanks again. I guess it's time for a reality check on my end. I also thought of another reason to start larger... If I upgraded later, I'd have to cycle the new tank and would need stuff from the 55 to do it... Well, I guess I'm back to the drawing board:flame:
Thank again!
LOL...sorry. You could just use the 55g and not upgrade....spend your bucks to make the 55g your dream tank...many keep 30g and 29g so 55g isn't so bad.

 

[btldreef]

In regards to the skimmer, having an oversized skimmer isn't necessarily a bad thing and I personally prefer it. The Reef Octopus and ASM skimmers are my favorites. I run an ASM G3 with an oversized pump on my 180 system and it works great.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/392151/firing-up-the-old-55-again#post_3480839
In regards to the skimmer, having an oversized skimmer isn't necessarily a bad thing and I personally prefer it. The Reef Octopus and ASM skimmers are my favorites. I run an ASM G3 with an oversized pump on my 180 system and it works great.
Now I'm confused...I was told to get a skimmer to match the tank size...too large and it won't skim because it's geared to extract after a certain point which is beyond what the smaller tank needs just to get it going....and too small naturally is not efficient enough. I don't remember who, but it was a trusted long time member on this site who told me that...and I talk the word of you folks as SW gospel.

 

[btldreef]

I've heard that and to get one rated for twice the amount of your tank. In the end, I settled with getting one that is oversized, but not insane. My skimmer is rated for 250G, but I run it on a 180, and used to run it on the 155.
I've seen people running monster skimmers on 75G reefs, they just don't let it wet skim.

 

[aquiman]

Well, thanks for the info folks. It's a moot point now because I went out and bought a 90 gallon today and an Urchin skimmer and Eco system sump so hopefully I'm on my way. Gonna build my stand to match a wall unit, start making my RODI and then I'm on my way to cycling! Thanks!
:laughing:

 

[btldreef]

Can't wait to see the build thread!