New 55gal Setup

[thats tangy]

I am just setting up a new 55g tank. I have a cycled 29g but of course want a bigger tank. It's going to be FO with maybe a cleanup crew with sand seeded with LS. What size heater is right for a 55g? 200 or 300 or neither? Are digital thermometers any good or are the plain old stick on the outside of the tank ones sufficient? I'm using a Fluval 304 for my filtration and a Hagen 301 powerhead for circulation. For lighting I'm gonna use 2 Marine Glo flourescent bulbs in a striplight hood. Does this setup sound alright? I don't want to add a protein skimmer because I'm not sure if I really need one. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanx.

 

[cwfish]

You could get away with probably a 150-200 watt heater in your tank. I don't know anything about those lights in particular, but w/ FO your probably fine. I would however look into a skimmer if your budget allows, maybe even do that before the fluval. Good luck.

 

[muckworm]

No LR? I would recommend you get another powerhead for circulation. I would also recommend that you get a skimmer, but I guess it depends on what kind of fish you put in the tank. Also, I think the size heater you can get away with depends on where you live and how warm/cold it gets. but I think the rule is somewhere around 50watts for every 10 gallons or something like that.... It's also better to get 2 smaller heaters rather than one large one.