Gene0514 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Hi guys I started my 55 gallon reef pretty recently. I have 70 lb of live rock and 40 lb of live sand in there. My equipment is a Cascade 1000 canister filter, a SEIO 320 powerhead, a Maxi-jet 600m and a visi-jet skimmer.The long fixture you see in the pics is a 2 bulb t5 fixture. I also have a 24" 72W PC fixture on it. I will get more corals (including LPS) when I get a 216 Watt T5HO fixture. Anyway, we all know that no thread is complete without pics so read the rest of the thread to see them!! Link to comment
Reefer Al Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Cool cool man. I also run a 55g reef. It has a 2 bulb T5 fixture also and I keep a nem and some softies as well. shrooms, gsp and xenia. I have a prizm skimmer that blows lol and a canister filter. So I hope you have some great success. Very simple, nice aquascape so far. Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 Cool cool man. I also run a 55g reef. It has a 2 bulb T5 fixture also and I keep a nem and some softies as well. shrooms, gsp and xenia. I have a prizm skimmer that blows lol and a canister filter. So I hope you have some great success. Very simple, nice aquascape so far. thanks! I just emptied the skimmer cup, the skimmate was yellowish so i know it's pulling out something I have a couple pieces of silverside in a piece of cloth rubberbanded to make some ammonia. Link to comment
andy321 Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 I have a 55 with the same skimmer. How is it working for you mine took a while to break in but it works ok now. It helps to turn the red knob on the top down and you will get darker skimate. I like your rockwork but maybe a little more rock. What are your plans for stocking. Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 It took me about a day to start skimming how much gph do you set your's to? where is the red thing in the flow meter? That's only about 54 lb of rock I have another 16 lb of live rock in the 20 which is gonna be transferred once the tank is cycled For stocking I am gonna have like 3 or 4 clownfish, 1 yellow-tail damselfish, a yellow tang (while it stays small (dad insists(dad's paying))) and eventually a mandarin once the pod population is good. I'll try to get one that eats frozen though. Oh and maybe a firefish or two. Any other suggestions? Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 I tried to put the skimmer higher and it is making a drier skim Link to comment
got2envy Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Nice! i like the slope scape give the skimmer a while and it will skim better, just ahs to break in Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 Nice! i like the slope scape give the skimmer a while and it will skim better, just ahs to break in thanks most of the light is gonna be on the left so thats y i went with a slope Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 My skimmer's getting better! the skimmate's getting darker and a lot more is being skimmed out here's a pic, it almost overflowed the collection cup I also checked my ammonia yesterday, its at 0.25 ppm Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 My ammonia is between 0.25 and 0.50 ppm. I will check my nitrites in a moment Link to comment
PBUEHH Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 sounds like a guy on a budget. hope it turns out like you want it. Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 11, 2009 Author Share Posted March 11, 2009 sounds like a guy on a budget. hope it turns out like you want it. lol you got it I'm 14 so my dad's paying Probably in May, I'm gonna get a 4x54W HO T5 fixture (birthday money FTW!) Link to comment
Kraylen Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 I also have a 55 gallon, I run a 260w PC 4x65 fixture and Im planning on adding a 2x54w T5 on one or both sides depending on if I can fit them. Tank looks good so far.. good luck with the transfer! Link to comment
wimby Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Tank looks nice. I will be moving my 45 into a 55 soon. I can't wait. Good luck with yours. Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 Thanks everyone The nitrite is 0.25 ppm so its getting closer to the end of the cycle. the T5 fixture I wanna get is on aquatraders.com any opinions on that site? Link to comment
Kraylen Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Research their products, there is alot of mixed reviews. They are cheap and most will need some modifcation before or down the road. Esp the halide systems. What is the general plan for the tank? That may help on lighting choice. Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 Research their products, there is alot of mixed reviews. They are cheap and most will need some modifcation before or down the road. Esp the halide systems. What is the general plan for the tank? That may help on lighting choice. soft corals for now and eventually adding LPS with the upgraded lighting Link to comment
jjjo Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 looks like you're off to a nice start! Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 Thanks how do Valentini puffers do in reef tanks? Do they pick on inverts a lot? Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 Tank Cycled!!!!! 0 ammonia 0 nitrites no diatom bloom though Link to comment
Gerber77 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 What are your nitrates? Once you get the diatom bloom add the cuc. Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 my nitrates are between 5 and 10 Link to comment
Gerber77 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 You should be getting the diatoms soon then Link to comment
Gene0514 Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 Thanks so when is it safe to do the transfer? Link to comment
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