Setting up 55, have filter questions

[jobob]

i was using cond. tap water for about 4 mons. i had slime algae problem. so i got a rodi unit. once i started topin off with ro water, wow what a difference! the corals are much bigger and healther. and no more algae. i also had trouble keepin some lsp and since then, all my lsp came back to life. i would recommend gettin one.

 

[sankysyuck]

Yea, the tap water thing def. isn't hype. It's been proven that tap water is not good to be put in your aquarium; however that doesn't mean you can't be successful.
I mean, people buy goldfish for 5 gallon tanks and barely ever clean it or change water but they are still successful.
It also depends on where you live, what kinds of chemicals are in your water, and how bad the pipes are underground that harness the water.
By the way, I'd definitely recommend a skimmer, it's more important than you think, especially if you’re going to have a full bio-load.
Also, I use Aqua Clears in my 50 gallon salt water tank. I'm used to them from my freshwater tanks but I definitely wouldn’t recommend one. I started off in my 50 gal. with one Aqua Clear 300 and found that it wasn’t doing the job so I bought a 500 and now I use both in the same tank, that tells you a lot.
I use the Seaclone 100 protein skimmer and I’m happy with it. It's affordable but durable; I paid like $60 for mine on *************.***

 

[snipe]

I know what your saying about the tap. My tap water is great I use it but for most ppl I wouldnt recommend it just cause if you start with it and it dose cause blooms then your fighting them and then buying ro water.

 

[mike35019]

Mbrands that is a very sweet looking 55 you have there! I'm curious, did you buy all 90lbs of LR at the same time to cycle? Did you buy it online? Also are you running an aquaclear filter? I think i'm gonna switch to the emp 400 and run a seaclone 100 skimmer. Will my two aquaclear 402 powerheads be enough for my 55gal? I really like the way you have your tank setup, I will try to follow what you did as far as placing the powerheads, I would also like run them every other minute to create that ocean like current. Keep me posted of what you have done with your tank...curious!
Sankysyuck as I mentioned above I will most likley purchase the seaclone 100. i have seen it setup at the LFS, and it looks like a nice setup, and relatively quiet. i was going to run a aquaclear 500 again, but I'am leaning toward an emp 400.
I really appreciate all the responses to all my questions. Just from finding this board last week, I have already learned so much more about this hobby since I last had a salt tank setup in 99' thanx Guys

 

[mbrands]

Thanks for the compliments Mike!
I started with 45 pounds and added another 45 shortly after. The original LR was used the cycle the tank. The additional LR was cured in a large Rubbermaid trashcan. Both orders of LR came from the same online retailer, but not swf.com so I can't list the site.
I am currently using only a Fluval 304, but am considering removing the Fluval and using the powerheads, skimmer and LR for filtration. Like most other hobbyists I'm a little worried about "pulling the plug" and going without a traditional filter.
I would not recommend the SeaClone. Others on here have had success, but you'll hear more negative than positive. I had one and it sucked . . . so I returned it. I now have an AquaC Remora and LOVE IT! It is amazing how nasty the stuff is that my skimmer pulls out. I'd say your skimmer is one piece of equipment you don't want to be cheap with.
As for powerheads, I had been running only 2 AquaClear 70s (formerly known as 802s). I circled them in yellow. The left one creates a lot of surface waves along the back of the tank. The right one blows across the back and bottom, just high enough not to disrupt the sand.
Since the picture was taken, I've added an AquaClear 30 (formerly known as 301) in the top right corner which I circled in red. I was getting some film in the top front corner due to the way the water was circulating. This has helped. I also plan to add another AquaClear 30 behind the rockwork on the left, shown with an orange arrow.
To be perfectly honest, the AC 70s are too powerful and I don't have them at full blast. It would be better to have several moderate powerheads to prevent "dead spots" versus 2 hurricane force ones.
Good luck with your tank! Let me know if I can help out.

 

[hopkins6]

I noticed that you have hang on equip. Does it get in the way or look ugly? How do you like not having a canopy, i am thinking about a setup like yours. I will have all live rock with corals, do you think i could get a seaclone since the live rock will also help me filter. (i also have a emperor)

 

[mbrands]

The LR will act as a biological filtration. It houses beneficial bacteria that break ammonia down into (finally) nitrates. A skimmer, on the other hand, works as a mechanical filter. It cleans out the teeny tiny organic waste that you can't even see in your water. They do not work in the same way. I hated my SeaClone and a majority of people on here don't like them. You might have luck with one though, who knows? I'd strongly recommend the Remora though.
Right now, my only hang on equipment is my skimmer. Since taking that picture, I've purchased a surface skimmer box which "hides" the powerhead feeding the skimmer. It is essentially a black plastic box that the powerhead sits in and the output of the skimmer feeds into. It isn't as noticable since it is black and I feel isn't as detracting from the tank.
I do have 2 heaters which are non-submersible. They were from my freshwater tank and I had them hidden with tall plants. I do plan to upgrade to a submersible titatium heater when I can as it will be more visually appealing. Also, as mentioned before, I am considering taking off the Fluval canister filter. If I do, the only stuff you'll see in the tank are the cords to all the powerheads and submersible heater.
As for the canopy . . . I have a matching wood canopy that I had been using until I upgraded my lighting. I like the look of an open top tank, but my wife doesn't. Since we live in Arizona, I don't think I'll be able to use the wood canopy in the summer or the tank temperature will get too high.

 

[mbrands]

Actually, looking back at the photo I posted I just remembered that for a short while I did have a large AquaClear HOB filter. However, I was trying to use it as a mini-refugium. I removed all of the filtration, added some sand from the tank, and added some macroalgae that a fellow hobbyist gave me. Unfortunately, it didn't work out very well for me so I removed it.
The HOB filter is sort of behind the tall stack of LR on the right. That is probably what you had noticed.

 

[mike35019]

If I do buy the LR online and it shows up at my house it will have to be cured right? So this will not really make a difference b/c I'm going to cycle my tank for the first time. I plan on filling up the tank about 3/4 with the saltwater, get the powerheads and emp 400 up and running. Then do I place the LR in the tank and then put the LS around the rock, or can I dump all the LS in and place the LR on top. Whats the best way to do it?
Another thing that has me puzzled is if i'm going to cycle my tank with uncured LR, do I still need to add the raw shrimp to "jumpstart" the cycle, how many shrimp for 55 gal. :notsure:

 

[mike35019]

ttt

 

[jobob]

well the way i did it was put the sand down first and the rock 2nd. this way the rock would be more stable. and lets the gobies dig tunnels under them! it depends on how much live rock u putting in? if its like 40lbs then u dont need the shrimp, but if u plan on gettin 15lbs then maybe one wouldnt hurt!