Need help

dvs · 06-11-2007, 08:57 PM

So lets start from the begining. I had an empty 55 gallon tank at home with some filters and lights. One day while getting stuff for my Cichlid tank I decided to venture into the saltwater world. I'm looking into redoing it. This is what I have right now.

55 gallon tank
4 bulb MH lamp w/blue LED night lights
2 Emperor 400 filters
1 Fluval 204 filter
1 Prizm Deluxe skimmer
about 40 lbs live rock (Getting a little more)
1 Yellow Tang
2 Yellow Tail Damsels
1 Stripped Damsel
a few snails
a few hermit crabs
plain sand substrate (I know that's the first thing to go)

First question what substrate? I'm looking to get live sand and maybe mixing it with crushed coral. How much of each should I use?
Second, I want to eventually get corals and some invertabraes. Will this work with what I have?
I'm sure later I'll have more but that's it for now.

DVS

zxcv123 · 06-11-2007, 09:12 PM

Welcome to TRT!

I would ditch the fluval and emperor filters.
and You may want to upgrade your skimmer.

Live rock, skimming, and strong water circulatiion are all that is required to have a health reef tank, metal halides are reccommend on ref tank, just make sure your bulbs are fresh before you add inverts.

I would slowly ditch the fluval and power filters and get some stong water circulation in there. Look at hydor koralia power heads or the maxi jet natural wave making system.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113782
model 1200.

bosscrab · 06-11-2007, 09:15 PM

You don't need live sand dead sand would work. It will get "live" form the LR. The amount is really up to you. Mine is about 2" ( I like the look and I can keep the top clean). A true sandbed that will impact the tank is 4"+

leveldrummer · 06-11-2007, 09:38 PM

can you describe your lights? 4 mh's over a 55 is alot. im hoping you are confused a little. lol

jenajet · 06-12-2007, 12:46 AM

yeah, doesn't seem like your describing mh but a pc fixture, but could be wrong. How long has the tank been set up? Unless the sand is old leave it be. Make sure when you add more rock it is well cured so you don't start another cycle. oh and Welcome to TRT!

tims · 06-12-2007, 06:28 AM

if possible , take the fish back to the LFS for now. add the LR you want to the tank First. once the cycle is done withthe added LR and everything is testing good, then add corals and a few fish.
you main filter will be the LR and skimmer

dvs · 06-13-2007, 01:07 AM

So what kind of setup can I do with what I have? Is this setup ok for fish, live rock and some inverts, like anenomes?

Fly Guy · 06-13-2007, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvs

So what kind of setup can I do with what I have? Is this setup ok for fish, live rock and some inverts, like anenomes?

You need to clarify what lights exactly you are talking about. It would be very difficult to even fit 4 MH bulbs in a 55 gallon tank. If you could, it would be more than adequate for keeping anemones. But I think that the assumption that has been made of them actually being PC lights may be correct. In that case, they really arent enough for keeping anemones.

They would be enough for your rock, most inverts and some soft corals such as muchrooms and some zoanthids and similar.

dvs · 06-13-2007, 08:50 AM

I'll check the light when I get home. I'll also get the info on the bulbs that are in it. It has 48" bulbs and I was told it was MH.

Thanks

dvs · 06-18-2007, 12:48 AM

So it looks like I have a t5 lamp instead of a MH lamp.

mcliffy2 · 06-18-2007, 01:27 AM

If they are T5 HO bulbs that is a pretty solid light, how good depends on the brand, any idea (in particular, does each bulb have an individual reflector)?

anemones are tough to keep from what i hear...some basic corals will be easier. if your light has individual reflectors, you can keep just about anything under it even sps.

i also agree you should invest in a good skimmer and ditch the canister filters, its also much better if you can get a HOB overflow and get a sump to put the skimmer in.

wolfie · 06-18-2007, 01:36 AM

Skimmer is a must.. Make sure you brought a good 1 so you don't have to sell it an upgrade later. It is cheaper to buy the best skimmer for your tank then buy a cheap 1 only to be replace with a better 1 at a later date.

What wrong with having a canister filters? I so there nothing wrong to have a canister filters that is if you keep it clearn...

dvs · 06-18-2007, 08:48 PM

Not sure on the brand but it looks like it has two bulbs per reflector.

BGJ223 · 06-18-2007, 09:29 PM

Looks like you got a Jebo Odyssea T5 unit. They put out light, and should be good enough for Softies as well as some LPS and montipora. Some of their units can be cheaply manufactured, so make sure that everything fits together snug. Last thing you want is your bulbs falling into the water. I have used a model similar to this, and for the most part it works rather well.

hng · 06-18-2007, 11:22 PM

I don't think I've ever seen something like that before. It looks like you have clips for reflectors, but the bulbs are way too close to have individual reflectors - looks like one reflector per two bulbs? It also looks like the reflector is not parabolic. Can you spread the bulbs apart, or are they attached like that?