Our Tank

[dvdj65]

We have had a freshwater tank for some time and decided to start a reef tank, little did we know how fast it would become an obsession
when I built the stand for it I did not realize the benefits of a sump, needless to say I know now and I am going to modify it to accommodate one. But I m not really sure what is the best set up for one.
Any way, here are the details of our endevour.
55 gallon tank
80 lbs of live sand
around 35 lbs of live rock
13 assorted snails
25 + HERMITS of various sizes
1 sally lightfoot crab
1 peppermint shrimp
1 coral banded shrimp
1 cleaner shrimp
1 condy anemone
2 perculia clowns
1 yellow tang
1 yellowtail Damsel
a nova extreme t-5 light
seaclone 100 skimmer
2 ocillating powerheads
and a whisper hang on filter ( I am thinking of getting a Fluval 305)
1 torch coral
1 flowerpot
and 1 caribbean star polyp

[dobejazz]

Looks good !

[Loverotties]

Looking good!

[dvdj65]

I know it's kind of barren right now, we're trying to take it slow so that we don't experiance some of the trouble we hear that other new tanks go through. Our clowns won't leave the Flowerpot alone because we don't have a friendly anemone for them to play in so it dosn't expand as far as it can. and we're still looking at our rock configuration wondering if there's a better look. But it's a start.

[Sndwave80]

Looks Good!

[DarthOcellaris]

I like the rockwork

I would do some research on reef tanks and Fluval canisters....

[dvdj65]

I was trying to find something out there that would compare the fifferent types of filters/sumps/ect but the opinions are all over the place and of course if you look at manufacturers websites don't you know, the have the best lol ! what is your opinion?

[depitch]

My

If your going to start a reef tank the best filtration is your live rock and skimmer. Mechanical filters become nitrate factories and probably do more harm than good.

A sump with a larger capacity skimmer rated for at least 100-150 gallon tank is optimal IMO.

I have a pro-clear 150 wet-dry filter I converted to a sump by removing the bio balls and replacing them with live rock.

Depending on your budget and space for a sump, there are many options. Check out the sponsor websites and Ebay for sumps or wet-dry filters.

Skimmers are a topic of many threads, I like Venturi skimmers because they are a simple design. Water is forced through a narrow chamber by your pump and air is sucked into the same chamber from a pipe or flexible plastic tubing. The turbulence created makes your bubbles that rise into the collection cup. The rate of bubble rise can be controlled by either restricting or increasing the air intake or water return to tank/sump.
Loss of turbulence in the Venturi Skimmers is usually from salt creep/gunk in the air intake. JMO

HTH

Doug

[dvdj65]

And your opinion is just what I was asking for !!! we are doing some tank remodeling this week end and it will give me a chance to redo the stand to make room for a sump refugium.

[chrischris]

great tank
how are those polyps doing?
cant wait to see it fully stocked

[dvdj65]

Doing well, we are thinking of re doing the rock work, seems your not supposed to lay your rocks on your DSB. made the mistake of reading a DS VS. BB discussion and it's got us a little worried if we're doing it right

[dvdj65]

oooppps forgot to rotate teh pic. sorrry