Starting 55g

[bluetangyellow]

I'm getting ready to setup a 55g tank and I would like some advice.
How many powerheads should I get?
I plan on getting a skimmer eventually, but how long can I go without one?
Will this setup be okay?
Here's the setup I would like:
55lbs LR
60lbs LS
2 percula clowns (mated pair) (already have )
2 or 3 firefish
1 neon goby (already have)
1 royal gramma
3 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
3 Peppermint Shrimp
10-15 Blue Leg Hermits
10-15 Snails
Equipment:
55g Tank
Lighting
200W Ebo Jager Heater
4? Power Heads
2-3 HOB Filters for Surface movement
Any suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[blemmy_guy]

You wont need the Skimmer till you ad fish. I went the first 6 months w/o one. But i wouldnt recomend it. Your list sounds fine, depending on what type of filter system you go with will dictate how many power heads you need. When are you going to start her up??/ goodluck to ya.
todd

 

[snipe]

55lbs LR "will most likely need more"
60lbs LS "thats a good amount I would say"
2 percula clowns (mated pair) (already have )
2 or 3 firefish "I would only have 1 firefish since they are likely to fight and 3 of them would most deffinantly fight".
1 neon goby (already have)
1 royal gramma
3 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
3 Peppermint Shrimp
10-15 Blue Leg Hermits
10-15 Snails
Equipment:
55g Tank
Lighting "Need to get some kinda lighting lol"
200W Ebo Jager Heater
4? Power Heads "I have 4 but you might get by with 2 to 3"
2-3 HOB Filters for Surface movement "would be better to spend the money on a canister or wet/dry filter 3 HOB filters is alot.

 

[jcarroll]

do some research on protein skimmers before you decide to invest in one or not. I went into several fish stores and did a lot of research on the internet and have decided to not buy one. This is my second salt water tank, the first one I had to tear down because of a cross country move and I didn't have one in it either. I understand why people do, but I believe it takes out beneficial bacteria also. As long as you have a good filtration system, you may find you don't think you need one. Everyone has different opinions on setups, just thought I'd tell you because in the beginning you have so many things to buy anyway

 

[snipe]

It cant take out bacteria since bacteria isnt free floating. Bacteria spread across sand, rocks and that sort of stuff they dont float around.

 

[bluetangyellow]

Thanks for your replies!
I'm hoping to have the tank setup by the end of the summer. I just have to have enough saved up for the live rock, which may be a month or two because we're getting ready to purchase a horse, which seems to be taking up a lot of funds . I already have 26 pounds in another tank, so I just need to buy the rest. As for light all I have right now is a standard single tube flourescent strip-light. I'm not planning on getting into corals any time soon. I will look into a skimmer. I have heard that they take some beneficial minerals out of the water, but most people have them so I may invest in one shortly after the tank is setup.
Thanks,
BTY

 

[snipe]

They pull out nutrients that cause algaes to grow.

 

[kevtheiris]

OK stupid noob Q but wqhat do you need 4 power heads for.. just movement? any way to hide them (FOWLR) better? OR at least make them not as noticable?

 

[tthemadd1]

I always hide mine behind my Live Rock. That way I dont see them. I just changed over to a big return pump and dont really need the powerheads anymore. But yes they are there to increase circulation in the tank. This allows oxygen to flow through your live rock and also blows any waste off the bottom of the tank. :hilarious

 

[bluetangyellow]

Yup, just circulation.

 

[snipe]

You can buy a special attachment that looks like rock that attaches to the powerhead so the powerhead sets inside it and it is hid behind the fake looking rock.

 

[kevtheiris]

got a link 4 me ;D?

 

[snipe]

Cant post links sorry. "out of the respect for the owners of this board links should not be posted to other sites" Now info links can be posted but competitors that sell stuff cant. Its a rule and I dont want to get in trouble. I can find a name for ya I will post it tomorrow.

 

[exile415]

what kind of filter will you be running bluetangyello ?

 

[jayc]

I'm hopping to do the samething to my 55. Right now its setup as a freshwater. But I want to turn it into a fowler setup sometime soon.

 

[kaotik]

It cant take out bacteria since bacteria isnt free floating. Bacteria spread across sand, rocks and that sort of stuff they dont float around.
are you saying there is no bacteria in the water??? :notsure:
have you ever looked at sea/SW aquarium water under a microscope??

 

[bluetangyellow]

Originally Posted by exile415

what kind of filter will you be running bluetangyello ?
The main filtration is going to be LS and LR, as far as mechanical filtration goes... I'm just running a HOB AC and some other small HOB filter. They're just being used for surface agitation, nothing more. Then within the next few months of setup I would like to look into getting a skimmer.

 

[dskidmore]

Is there any problem with the firefish and the neon goby together? Don't most gobies dislike any goby that isn't it's mate?

 

[bluetangyellow]

Originally Posted by DSkidmore
Is there any problem with the firefish and the neon goby together? Don't most gobies dislike any goby that isn't it's mate?
The neon goby is pretty docile, so I don't think there will be an issue.