Game Plan

divecj5 · 06-13-2006, 08:37 AM

Although I've been reading just about everything I can on this site and other online and printed materials, I just wanted to try and see if you all could help me with a game plan or make sure my plan sounds sensible. Here's what I'm looking to start and the equipment to be used:

55 gallon FOWLR
Penguin Bio-wheel 350 (for mechanical, chemical, bio) filtration
Coralife Super Skimmer (one rated to 100 gallons)
250 watt submersible heater
Eclipse NO lighting (for now since I'm not planning on any major corals)
10-20# cured live rock
2 inch of aragonite substrate

First question is: Am I overdoing the amount of filtration? I just figured more is better and since I will probably go larger in the future, at least the skimmer will be able to handle it.

Second question: I am thinking about going ahead and getting a basic bare bones RO filter, do you mix your water and salt mix in the tank or in a separate bucket? I figured you could mix it in the tank since it's the initial startup. Also, would you suggest placing the sand in first, then the LR, and then the water or another way?

Third: I am planning on just starting off with 10-20# of cured LR to start off with and adding more in the future. I have access to 2 really good LFS and they look to have some really nice that they have curing in their tanks. I was planning on using something like Weiss's Bacterboost to get things off to a nice start with the cycle. It says that this can be used with new and established tanks, do you all have any experience (good or bad) with this product?

From what I've read and gleaned from here on the board, I can add more LR in the future as long as it's been cured, correct? Also, I have read a lot about algae blooms and all sorts of blooms with the LR, will this happen if the LR is cured or does this deal more with non-cured rock?

Sorry for all of the questions but just wanted to put out some feelers and see what you all thought of my game plan and ideas. I have more to learn, as with anything, and hope you all have some suggestions either way. Thanks in advance for the help.

Adam

jtReef · 06-13-2006, 08:51 AM

Good questions Adam.
First off, the filtration sounds good.
In the future, if you end up with more live rock, say 1-2lbs per gallon you will find that that performs plenty of filtration and you can then take your bio-wheel out.
For your RO you want to mix your salt in some other buckets. Defiantly not in the tank itself. Some people say you can add the freshly mixed salt into the tank in an hr or so while others say a few days. I try to give my salt mix 24 hrs before adding to the tank. However if this is your first time filling the tank you can mix the salt with the water in the tank. Just make sure you do so before adding your LR and substrate.
For the Bacterboost I keep doing research myself and everything I read comes back with mixed results.
You can always add more LR in the future. If the rock is fully cured you should have little to now algae blooms but typically no mater how cured the rock is or the store claims it is you will still have the rock curing a little more in your tank, resulting in a small algae bloom as the new rock finishes curing.

You have a great plan. Just make sure to test often and add fish very slowly.

divecj5 · 06-13-2006, 09:18 AM

Thanks for the quick response and suggestions jtReef. Thanks for all the advice. What do you usually mix your salt mix in (I know buckets for partial and small changes will do but for 55 gallons?). Also, do you think that I will need any jets for water movement or will the returns from the bio-wheel and skimmer do for the time being?

Man, I am chomping at the bit to get started with all of this, just want to make sure that I do it in the right order so avoid disaster. I think that once I get things going (about a month) I will add two clowns to start off with. I can't wait!!!

jtReef · 06-13-2006, 10:00 AM

I actually mix my salt in a 29gal tank with 2 powerheads in it to mix the salt.
You can use 5gal buckets, it just takes more work because you then have more testing of salinity in multiple places before adding the salt water to your display tank. I prefer the 5gal buckets to store RO top off water.
You could always go get a 10 or 20 gal tank that could server as a place to make your salt and also be used as a quarantine tank if needed.
You should be able to find a 10 gal tank for 10 dollars and a 20gal for around $25. Your returns will help with water movement but I would suggest getting 2 Maxi Jet 1200's and put them on both sides. Once the water hits each other in the middle it will bounce the water randomly in the tank to help get rid of dead spots where debris could collect resulting in raised nitrates. The MJ1200 are 295gph each would be sufficient. It is also very enjoyable to watch fish swim in the current.

divecj5 · 06-13-2006, 10:23 AM

Awesome, will definitely look into getting a 10 or 20 gallon tank to mix the tank and use as a possible QT. Thanks for the advice about the Maxi jet's as well...you just gave me something else to look into now

Thanks for the suggestions.

Adam

divecj5 · 06-13-2006, 10:31 AM

With the two Maxi Jet 1200's, do you use a wavemaker system to simulate different conditions or would a basic powerstrip type application work (15 minute on/off power and day/night mode)? Thanks again.

divecj5 · 06-14-2006, 03:59 AM

Anyone else mind giving me some suggestions/advice on my setup?

Although it will probably be about a month til I introduce any fish, I was planning on having in my tank: 2 clowns, regal tang, flame angel, fire goby, and a six line wrasse. First off, is this too much for the filtration (biowheel 350, coralife, and LiveRock)? Also, I know that they suggest that you introduce the most aggressive/territorial fish out of the group last, so would that be the tang or the angel or should I introduce them at the same time and let them sort things out

I look forward to more advice and suggestions on my setup and inhabitants. Thanks

Adam

sssnake · 06-14-2006, 04:34 AM

Hi divecj.

First question is: Am I overdoing the amount of filtration? I just figured more is better and since I will probably go larger in the future, at least the skimmer will be able to handle it.

The filtration looks good. Your choice for a skimmer is a good one but I would go with the Coralife Super Skimmer 220 model which is one model above the one you mentioned (I believe). Excellent skimmer. IMO the best part of this skimmer is the drain valve on the cup which I have attached to an empty salt bucket. This way, no overflows on your floor.

Second question: I am thinking about going ahead and getting a basic bare bones RO filter, do you mix your water and salt mix in the tank or in a separate bucket? I figured you could mix it in the tank since it's the initial startup. Also, would you suggest placing the sand in first, then the LR, and then the water or another way?

I went to Home Depot and bought myself 2 Rubbermaid plastic buckets (22 gallons each) which I use to mix my RO/DI water with my salt. I place a powerhead and heater in there, let it heat for a good 24 hrs and mix my salt which I leave for another 24 hrs mixing and heating. I would put my sand in the tank first, and then place a plastic plate on the sand and pour my water in (aiming for the plate). After the tank is two thirds full I then place my rock.

Third: I am planning on just starting off with 10-20# of cured LR to start off with and adding more in the future. I have access to 2 really good LFS and they look to have some really nice that they have curing in their tanks. I was planning on using something like Weiss's Bacterboost to get things off to a nice start with the cycle. It says that this can be used with new and established tanks, do you all have any experience (good or bad) with this product?

I would add ALL the rock in at the same time so IMO I would wait until your LFS can fill your rock order completely. General rule of thumb: One pound of rock per gallon. I am not a great fan of boosting the cycle. I would start my cycle (place a dead coctail shrimp in a nylon stocking, submerse it in the tank, leave it there for a couple of days until it decays, and remove it) and let nature take its course.

From what I've read and gleaned from here on the board, I can add more LR in the future as long as it's been cured, correct? Also, I have read a lot about algae blooms and all sorts of blooms with the LR, will this happen if the LR is cured or does this deal more with non-cured rock?

You may add LR as you go but IMO I would put the whole thing in at once. If you use RO/DI water you will minimize unwanted algae situations. Bear in mind you should see algae on a new tank but RO/DI water somewhat eases the problem. I know from experience

Sorry for all of the questions but just wanted to put out some feelers and see what you all thought of my game plan and ideas. I have more to learn, as with anything, and hope you all have some suggestions either way. Thanks in advance for the help.

Don't be sorry for any questions. We all learn from one another.

Best of luck.

E

divecj5 · 06-14-2006, 05:06 AM

Wow...thanks for all of the additional advice sssnake. I really appreciate all of the advice and suggestions that I've gotten thus far. Gotta love the internet...not sure where I'd be without it

I will have to look into the next level up Coralife (since I'm sure at some point I will have a larger tank). I will no doubt be making my weekly trip over to Lowes/Home Depot shorly so I will have to pick up some tubs for the initial fill of the tank.

Any suggestions of a good "bare bones" RO filter? I'm not looking to get anything really expensive at this point since I won't really need to pump out that many gallons per day to top off and partial changes.

Also, I was thinking, if I get a larger protein skimmer, do I need to keep the bio-wheels going in my Emperor 350 or should I just use it for mechanical filtration with the replacable filters?

So many questions...so little time

Thanks for all of the help thus far...this is an AWESOME site. I really love sites where you can go when you get involved with a new hobby and learn as much as you want and ask questions.

Adam

sssnake · 06-14-2006, 01:52 PM

I recently bought an "Aqua-Safe" RO/DI filter system 6 stage. The more stages the unit has the better the filtration. They are an excellent value for the money. It pumps out 100 gallons per day. It cost me CAD145.00 brand new. I regretted not buying one right from the start, but live and learn I guess.

You can probably find a unit like this on e-bay. The company, I believe, is located in Vancouver, Canada but sell their units on e-bay as well.

Do yourself a favor and buy an RO/DI unit (not just RO), it makes all the difference in the world.

If you decide to get a bigger skimmer I would take the bio-balls out of your filter and use only the sponges and floss. This is my opinion.

Good luck.