What is the Best 55 Gal Tank Set-up ?

[msg martin]

DO You have an existing 55 Gal set up that I can duplicate?
My Current Items:
55 Gal Tank - 47 Length - 12.5 Width
Crushed Coral
Side Hanging filter = Millennium 3000
12" Heater
Canopy Lights - (2)
Wife purchased the items for me listed above from the LFS - Honestly think it was overpriced -
We have killed 8 fish - Only one is left
I have completed drained the tank and started again .. sigh
After a post on here early today - It seems I have been going down the wrong road.. lead by the pocketbook by the LFS
SO - I would like to start over -
Replace the CC with Live Sand and Rock - Using those items to let the tank cycle and then about 30 days later.. get some fish..etc.. Am I thinking right?
I plan on purchasing Live Rock and Live Sand - Online here. Good deal?
I tried figure out how many lbs of sand I need.. but the deal here online won't give me an answer...
How Many lbs of live rock should I purchase for this size tank?
I would like to end up with fish and some crabs / shrimp etc..
I think the tank is too small for coral etc... so fish etc.. will be ok for now.. till I hit the lottery and build a house around the ocean.. .lol
SO anyway.. what I would like to know....
What works for you? Do you have easy system that maintains the proper levels and is easy for a beginner to learn on without losing the retirement?
What items should I replace ?
Filter?
Heater?
Do I need a Skimmer?
Thanks in Advance for your SUPPORT !
MSG M.

 

[seasalt101]

not familliar with your skimmer, good idea to start over with the ls and lr start with 60-80 lbs ls and you can start with the 45-50 lb. box of lr add all that and throw in a raw grocery store shrimp like for shrimp cocktail, wait 4-6 weeks testing parameters regularly when all #'s 0 cycle complete, if you have shrimp/crabs/snails (cleaning crew) which you want to put in after the cycle and the first critters you want to put in your sg= salinity it should be 1.025-1.026 temp should be 78-80, you want to add a skimmer now the coralife super skimmer is highly reccomended, get a skimmer rated for a bigger tank than you have by at least 25% you can have corals and i would suggest no more than 6-7 fish if they are peaceful, no more than 3 if aggressive look for compatability, and don't get any tangs your system is too small and stay away from dragonnettes, anything else we are here to help,do not listen to the lfs and welcome to the boards tobin :happyfish

 

[dadszx7]

I've got a 55 gallon with about 70 pounds of LS, this will give you about 3 inch base. I also have about 70 pounds of LR. For equipment, I've got a CBR backpack protein skimmer, 2 power heads for water movement and a heater. Don't know the size, I'm guessing 16inch. Works great and you don't have to turn it too high. 2 Helio light fixtures. one white and one blue.
My tank has been running for about 1 year now, and have had no problems.
Just do bi-weekly water changes and my perimeters are always perfect. I clean the inside of the glass about every four days. I also change 10 gallons every two weeks and add buffer to raise the PH of the new water prior to adding to the tank.
Temp 79
salinity 1.023
ammonia 0
nitrates 0
nitrites 0
PH 8.2
If you need more help, just ask. Do a search on cycling and live sand. That will answer some of your questions.
Patience, Patience, Patience.......

 

[msg martin]

Thanks to both of you for your information.. very helpful.
I will get the LR and LS as soon as I can...
Couple of follow on questions..
Will the filter I currently have work?
What power heads do I need?

 

[seasalt101]

isn't giroy where they have the garlicfest?

 

[dadszx7]

Yes, Gilroy, CA is where they have the Garlic festival. That happens in the middle of July. Us Gilroyians, either get outta town or get a bunch of movies and beer and stay home. As about 350,000 come to our little town of about 50,000.
I can smell the garlic ice cream already. :joy:
as to answer his questions:
Skimmer, I've never heard of it. Would it be a hang on the back type? We need to more info on your filter GPH, etc, etc...... maybe a photo or link.
Powerheads; I've got 2 powerheads with about 1000 gallons per hour movement. Adds very good circulation and my fish love to swim against the current. I've got RIO'S and love them, work great, quiet and aren't too bad on the pocket book. I just clean them about once per month.
As for the Live sand. I bought one bag of live from the LFS and bought another 100 pounds from Lowes, The stuff used for sandboxes. Rinsed the hardware store sand with RO water, until very clean. Add the LS and sandbox sand together to tank. This is called "Seeding" Total cost was about 45.00 for about 120 pounds of sand. Some people have even gone even cheaper than that. By just adding a few cups of live sand that was given to them for the LFS. Then add it to the hardware store sand.
Questions, just ask.
Cheers

 

[sherwing2000]

Originally Posted by dadszx7
I've got a 55 gallon with about 70 pounds of LS, this will give you about 3 inch base. I also have about 70 pounds of LR. For equipment, I've got a CBR backpack protein skimmer, 2 power heads for water movement and a heater. Don't know the size, I'm guessing 16inch. Works great and you don't have to turn it too high. 2 Helio light fixtures. one white and one blue.
My tank has been running for about 1 year now, and have had no problems.
Just do bi-weekly water changes and my perimeters are always perfect. I clean the inside of the glass about every four days. I also change 10 gallons every two weeks and add buffer to raise the PH of the new water prior to adding to the tank.
Temp 79
salinity 1.023
ammonia 0
nitrates 0
nitrites 0
PH 8.2
If you need more help, just ask. Do a search on cycling and live sand. That will answer some of your questions.
Patience, Patience, Patience.......
What kind of buffer do you use and how much do you put in when you replace 10% bi weekly to your water...

 

[threed240]

You only add buffer if your levels (PH, Alk, Calcium, etc.) are out of wack. If you do your bi-weekly water changes, you more than likely will not have to add any kind of buffer. RO water is best, but you can use tap water depending on location. I live in North GA and our water here is pristine. If you lived somewhere like Florida, I would highly recommend RO water. Its safer anyways.

 

[ifirefight]

Originally Posted by seasalt101
isn't giroy where they have the garlicfest?
And the former home of Indian motorcycles?

 

[f14peter]

Originally Posted by MSG Martin
Using those items to let the tank cycle and then about 30 days later.. get some fish..etc.. Am I thinking right?.
I would like to point out, in case you weren't already aware, that there is no set time for a cycle . . . a cycle could take a couple of weeks, could take much longer. Sure, 30 days is a good ballpark figure, but please don't start introducing fish merely because of a date on the calendar. Only start adding livestock after you have tested and confirmed that ammonia and nitrite have come-and-gone, and that nitrates (And all the other parameters) are at acceptable levels.
And of course, introduce livestock incrementally, one by one and not all at once . . . unless they're smaller and should be introduced at the same time (a small school of chromis, a pair of clowns, etc). Dumping a bucket load of fish in all at once is asking for a bio-load disaster and restarting your cycle with spiking ammonia.
Good luck, and I admire your perseverance . . . having a bad first-experience would send a lot of would-be aquarists packing, but you're sticking to it and dedicated to doing it right, good on you!

 

[dadszx7]

I drive by the Indian Motorcycle plant daily. It's a boneyard now, vacant. It's depressing. But there is still an Indian dealer on Main St.
I use Kent Buffer to raise the PH to 8.2 prior to adding to display tank. The RO water that I purchase is about 7.7 from the water store. I don't know why this is? It just is. :jumping:

 

[apgracia]

My family is from Gilroy, e-mail apgracia@cox.net. We can talk about garlic and swfish.