HELP Please

vikki7

vikki7

Member
:help:
I purchased a 55 gal Perfecto tank with oak stand.
It came with lighting, but not sufficient for what I need.
The lable reads 24RFH-I OR L / 24 RFH-F RECESSED HOODS
I really have no idea what type of lighting to get.
Currently the tank has to partitions...... ie two hoods fit the width of the tank.
The tank is standing with nothing in it, yet.
I need to get the LS, LR,( filter I have), larger heater.
Then I need to start to cycle ( am i missing anything)
What type of critters do I need to cycle this 55 gal?
I have a GREAT Anemonie (healthy happy and getting big) and Mushrooms and don't want to kill them with this move.
So I want everthing correct before I try to move them to the new tank.
So you will know my plan...... I want Anemonie/s, mushrooms, coral, bottom feeders, etc.
That is about all I have planned so far........ I do want to get my Anemonie a little buddy
as soon as the tank is ready for them.
Most importantly, I need to get the lighting for my tank so I can get the LR and LS
to set up my tank.
Please help. thanks
 
saltfan

saltfan

Active Member
You don't need any light to start your tank up. Throw your LR and LS in the tank. Get the cycle started, throw in a uncooked raw, none seasoned shrimp. In the mean time go hunting for some VHO lighting ( for a 55 that will do ya) or get MEtal Halide. Didn't see you mention a skimmer in there anywhere, gotta have one of those.
 
vikki7

vikki7

Member
Originally Posted by SaltFan
You don't need any light to start your tank up. Throw your LR and LS in the tank. Get the cycle started, throw in a uncooked raw, none seasoned shrimp. In the mean time go hunting for some VHO lighting ( for a 55 that will do ya) or get MEtal Halide. Didn't see you mention a skimmer in there anywhere, gotta have one of those.

No I have not purchased a skimmer yet, but I did purchase
this.........
The Cascade Canister Filter 1000 provides clear water for fresh and marine aquariums up to 100 gallons (pumps 265 GPH) and includes the following features: Quick, easy push-button self-primer. Easy lift alignment clamps to release vacuum suction. 2 independant directional 360 rotating valve taps. Sturdy tip-proof base (permanently mounted rubber feet). Flow rate control / cut-off valves to adjust water flow. Extra large capacity stackable filter medium containers with lift-up handles. One-hand lift handle. Swimming pool-style hose clamp. Water cooled motor. Permanantly mounted O ring. Heavy duty construction.
What else do I need?
 
saltfan

saltfan

Active Member
You want at least 12x the water turn over rate. That filter is not going to do it for ya. I would suggest a few powerheads in the tank to circulate water.
 
vikki7

vikki7

Member
Originally Posted by SaltFan
You want at least 12x the water turn over rate. That filter is not going to do it for ya. I would suggest a few powerheads in the tank to circulate water.

Would I use the Cascade with the Powerheads?
And what type powerheads do you recommend?
 
saltfan

saltfan

Active Member
You can use the filter with the powerheads, yes, that would be one flow rate. I use a 295gph Penguin Powerhead myself. Somthing along those lines will do ya. And if you get them at 300gph, you'll need 3 more along with your filter, I would add 4 if I were you, just to make sure you get the water going.
 
vikki7

vikki7

Member
Originally Posted by SaltFan
You can use the filter with the powerheads, yes, that would be one flow rate. I use a 295gph Penguin Powerhead myself. Somthing along those lines will do ya. And if you get them at 300gph, you'll need 3 more along with your filter, I would add 4 if I were you, just to make sure you get the water going.

WOW I am not sure what I just did, but I did not mean to post a BAD reply.
Can that be changed?
In the meantime, I am not quite sure... but (pumps 265 GPH) sounds like a sufficient
amount.
For 55 gals what are the paramateriers
 
saltfan

saltfan

Active Member
Originally Posted by Vikki7
WOW I am not sure what I just did, but I did not mean to post a BAD reply.
Can that be changed?
In the meantime, I am not quite sure... but (pumps 265 GPH) sounds like a sufficient
amount.
For 55 gals what are the paramateriers
Bad reply? Where? I was just givin ya the specifics about water trun over rate in a salt tank. For example: I have a 135g tank. I have a Canister Filter for running certain things when I want to, its run by a 1537gph pump. I also have a Emperor 400gph Filter, and a 295gph powerhead for flow, and a 300g Prizm Pro Deluxe Skimmer. 1537+295+400=2232gph turn over of the water. But, I'm not here to tell you what you can and cannot do, just trying to help out. Nothing written that you have to do, its just advice. Your tank is a 55g, I would recommend at bare minimum of 550gph in your tank.
 
vikki7

vikki7

Member
Originally Posted by SaltFan
10x the turn over is the rule of thumb. Minimum. But its your tank.

Yep, it is my tank,but I asked for info. :)
Thank you very very much for your input.
I appreciate it very much.
I want this tank to be really GREAT when it is finally cycled and set up.....
This will be a neat experience for me.
I have always wanted at least 55 gal saltwater tank. My dream tank is much larger, but
I have to start somewhere... and learn as I go...
I am advancing from the Nano into the world of the 55.... small for some people but large for me.. So I am a happy :happyfish
 
vikki7

vikki7

Member
Originally Posted by SaltFan
Bad reply? Where? I was just givin ya the specifics about water trun over rate in a salt tank. For example: I have a 135g tank. I have a Canister Filter for running certain things when I want to, its run by a 1537gph pump. I also have a Emperor 400gph Filter, and a 295gph powerhead for flow, and a 300g Prizm Pro Deluxe Skimmer. 1537+295+400=2232gph turn over of the water. But, I'm not here to tell you what you can and cannot do, just trying to help out. Nothing written that you have to do, its just advice. Your tank is a 55g, I would recommend at bare minimum of 550gph in your tank.

Did you see my apology??????????
PLEASE I did not mean to hit that key.
I was really a mistake..
I appreciate you so much.
 
vikki7

vikki7

Member
Originally Posted by SaltFan
I didn't see anything wrong in what you had written in the first place.


Great, I just did not want you to think I gave you a BAD post.......
Friends?
 
saltfan

saltfan

Active Member
Originally Posted by Vikki7
Great, I just did not want you to think I gave you a BAD post.......
Friends?

LOL but of course....
 
S

sinner's girl

Guest
Didn't see you mention a skimmer in there anywhere, gotta have one of those.
Why? I'm really not getting why all of a sudden every seems to say you have to have a skimmer, I ran my 55gl for years without one, and my 75gl doesn't have one...water quailty isn't an issue for me. Are skimmers just needed for reefs? :notsure:
any why does she need 4 ph's in a 55? I only had one...I have two in my 75gl only because we had them....
(not saying you're wrong or she shouldn't just wanting to know why...)
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
most all corals need good flow. I have a 55 gal, here is my equipment
3 power heads. i use maxijet 1200s with hydro floes for good water movement.
canister filter for carbon and such
hob aquar remora skimmer with mag 3 pump,
hob refuge, mainly because i had a mandrin
Good luck with your tank, and welcome
Heres my tank
 
saltfan

saltfan

Active Member
Originally Posted by Sinner's Girl
Why? I'm really not getting why all of a sudden every seems to say you have to have a skimmer, I ran my 55gl for years without one, and my 75gl doesn't have one...water quailty isn't an issue for me. Are skimmers just needed for reefs? :notsure:
any why does she need 4 ph's in a 55? I only had one...I have two in my 75gl only because we had them....
(not saying you're wrong or she shouldn't just wanting to know why...)
The skimmer takes out organics that nothing else can, except large qauntities of water chagnes, which is not advisable. They remove garbage from the water column itself, something a filter can't, because the stuff is in the water itself, you can't even see, until....You will see the junk it pulls out if you had one. They are amazing. If anything, you need twice the size skimmer for a tank, and not even bother with a filter at all. Powerheads for water movement, or a high gph closed loop return, but a filter is really not necessary.
 
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