And So It Begins

Looking great so far. I love the two tone stand.

 

I actually like this color. I didn't think it would be dark enough for my taste but I used 3/4 can of the spray paint and it covered WONDERFULLY!!! Looks flawless to me and my husband. I think it will POP with a good lighting source.

 

Thanks! Its sturdy too and I dang well made sure of it. ;D

 

FYI I read your post from the begining and if I could suggest to you that you need to go with a sump. I started a 55 with 2 Ehimn cannister filters and trust me I am much happier on my 65 now that has sump. Maintenence is easier
Do you have an RO filter or you buying your RO water?
Are you going to use a skimmer?
you need at least 55lbs of rock for biologicial purposes and my 2 canisters were always full of bactiria growth and plugged them up....no issues with a sump

just my opinion

 

looking good!

 

Hi Petmom, Welcome to reef keeping!

I would be glad to help you build your own sump- just let me know.

Sumps are really easy once you understand how they work, and your tank will thank you for it later on. However, you should do the sump before you add water to the tank. For two reasons, if you run a HOtB over flow you'll need space behind the tank for it (keep this in mind when placing the tank), or, if you have your 55 drilled, obviously you will have to have this done first off before any water goes in.

BTW, for your 55 gallon tank I would advise a 30 gallon long sump. The reason I state this is for several reasons:

1- Space. You'll need room for all the equipment and it will fit under your 55 gallon tank very nicely.

2- A 30 long is correctly sized to your 55 gallon tank. A good size sump is always better.

3- A 30 long is pretty easy to get and not very expensive. Not very heavy either- so it's easy to work with.

Either way- Welcome to the reefing world.

 

If only a 30G wasn't as wide as a 55, making the tank not fit.

 

On the contrary, a 30 long is the same width as a 55 gallon tank.

36L x 12.5W x 17H= 30L
48L x 12.5W x 21H = 55 Std.

Hope that helps.

 

Yea interesting colors- here is the set up I built, we have similar tastes

 

If it is the same width it will not fit inside the stand???