Need Equip recommendations

[kmurray6155]

Ok folks, here's the question(s):
Setting up a 55Gal FO tank. It will have about 60lbs live rock, 3"bed of live sand. For a filter I have a Emperor 400 Bio Wheel.
What power heads? How many?
I plan on using a Coralife 65 for a protein skimmer. Good choice?
What are thoughts on a UV filter?
What would be the recommended light set-up?
THANKS EVERYONE!!

 

[trigger11]

Originally Posted by kmurray6155
http:///forum/post/2472931
Ok folks, here's the question(s):
Setting up a 55Gal FO tank. It will have about 60lbs live rock, 3"bed of live sand. For a filter I have a Emperor 400 Bio Wheel.
What power heads? How many?
I plan on using a Coralife 65 for a protein skimmer. Good choice?
What are thoughts on a UV filter?
What would be the recommended light set-up?
THANKS EVERYONE!!

1. Go with either less than 2" sand bed. Or more than 4" inches. In between has been known to cause problems.
2. I would get like 2 Maxi Jet 1200 powerheads. Put them on each end of the tank and aim them at each other.
3. From everything I have read the Coralife 65 is a good lower end skimmer.
4. Not sure about UV filter as I have never used one.
5. Good lights for a FO system would be Power Compacts. If you have any inklings at all of going with a reef set up later then spend more on the lights up front. Could keep just about any softy with VHO lights. Anemones would need T5 or MH.
~Trigger11

 

[natclanwy]

IMO the UV is not needed kills benificial organisms as well as harmful
Powerheads I just changed over to the koralia powerheads and really like them the total flow in my tank is much better than when I had 3 seperate powerheads. I have 1 #4 but I think I would go with 2 #3's one at each end.
Lights will depend on your budget and what you are wanting to keep, if all you are interested in is fish or soft corals and some LPS corals PC's are plenty. I you are wanting to keep clams SPS and LPS coral you will have to get at least T5's or MH lights.
I have heard mixed opinions from a couple of friends about the Coralife skimmers but I have no experience myself.