55 gallon or not?

[Reeftanker3295]

I just made some money and really started wondering what to do, i have a free 55 gallon with lighting for a FOWLR tank and then i could eventually get good lighting for it about 2 1/2 months later. Also 55 gallon is pretty much where skimmer prices start going way up so this would be good. The only reason im hesitant is because of the dimensions. Everyone tells me that its too thin. Should i go for it or not? Id have a 10 or 20 gallon sump with some kind of skimmer and just a return pump, nothing crazy and then itd be FOWLR for the first few months until i get good lights.

[quader94]

well if its free, why not?

[motorslave]

I had one and while they are narrow, its a step up in size! I say go for it. The equipment is easier to afford as you mentioned. The price is right!

[Reeftanker3295]

Its my dads old tank, its pretty old so i may have to reseal a little but wont be that bad. It has a flourescent hood and i think the whole bottom had light diffuser haha so maybe ill turn my old 10 gallon into a frag tank or do something with that

[Hop]

A 55 would make a great sump for a 75

[Reeftanker3295]

haha i know but its out of my price range for now. With a free tank and lights and equipment is cheaper ill have alot to spend on LR, fish and other things.

[motorslave]

Get that absolute best skimmer you can. One rated for a far bigger tank as they are generally over rated by manufacturers. This is the most important piece of equipment you will have. The biggest you can will allow you to use it in a bigger system so you don't have to spend more money when you upgrade next time.

[Reeftanker3295]

What skimmer would you reccomend?

[Hop]

If your worried about cost find a decent used skimmer and go from there. Find something that will find the footprint of your sump and report back. We'll let you know if it's worth the money

[Reeftanker3295]

How about the Octopus NWB-150? Under 200 dollars and ive heard great things about it. Rated to 150 gallons so should work great. Should i maybe just go with the 110?

[Reeftanker3295]

Bump. Dad has agreed that our fall project will be building this thing a nice stand and making a sump, should i get the 110 or 150 Octopus skimmer or maybe just the 65 coralife skimmer like gouch? I was thinking of having pretty much all the same equipment as gouch except maybe a different skimmer. What do you guys think?

[motorslave]

Consider the space you have and get the biggest that will fit! Consider room for cub removal too.

[Reeftanker3295]

Ok then il get the 150, is there absolutely no way that you can use acrylic in your sump succesfully or can it be done? Acrylics just much easier to worth with and more available. What halide fixture would work the best for this tank? My corals are going to be birdsnest coral, some other SPS, monti caps, hammer/torch/frogspawn, lots of zoas, shrooms. I also want to have a clam and an RBTA so im thinking a 250w fixture would be best right? Please send links of some good fixtures for this size tank, thanks.

[motorslave]

The issue with acrylic in a glass sump is attachment. Silicone will bone to glass but not acrylic. It may hole as long as there is no pressure or force on it. Its best to just use glass. Have Lowes cut a few pieces to size, silicone in place and be done with it no hassle. Its cheap and easy.
I would recommend 2x150watts MH for that tank. Its not deep so no need for 250 watt and you wont be limited as to what you an keep.

[Reeftanker3295]

If i use a 20 long how tall should the baffles be? 9 inches or so? What are some good light fixtures for a dual 150w?