Finally got a 55gal tank stand and more for $150

[EDKHosting]

So for the past month I've been searching and searching on forums and bidding locally on ebay and I finally got a 55gal tank and all this stuff for $150. Its a 55gal tank with a strong oak stand like the ones from all glass aquarium and a custom made by the previous owner 4 tube hood with 2 actinic and 2 10,000k coral life bulbs. It also comes with a skimmer, powerheads penguin 550 and a second nature 330 powerheads, and sand. The sand is probally dead tho cause its been sitting for a year.

Now for the questions. Will the 4 tube hood be strong enough to keep corals, annenomies, or have stuff grow from the live rock I get? Also should I throw in 1 or 2 bags of live sand and mix it around witht he dead sand? Also how should I go about cycling the tank and for how long? Can I use instant ocean or should I use something else?

Please keep in mind that I'm new to this so you might have to describe it like I'm an idiot to the hobby just so I don't miss anything.

 

[LA-Lawman]

I would upgrade to either VHO bulbs or a metal halide-vho (2 -175w and 2 110w VHO) combo setup....
with the halide VHO you should be able to keep anything you want.

 

[Anonymous]

Welcome to Reefs.Org

I am soooooooooooo Jealous


I would set it up, get it running and then add some live sand from a local shop if possible

Bryan

Remember Patience is the key

as if I have any

 

[EDKHosting]

Welcome to Reefs.Org

I am soooooooooooo Jealous


I would set it up, get it running and then add some live sand from a local shop if possible

Bryan

Remember Patience is the key

as if I have any

Well he went from a 55g to a 135g, what does he need a 55 gal for then? If anyone mentions a sump to him before I pick it up tomorrow I'll back hand them. :twisted:

 

[EDKHosting]

Well I picked it up today and boy was I a happy man. I got a tank, stand, custom 4 tube hood that matched the stand with 2 10k bulbs and 3 actinic bulbs, original tank cover and the single tube flourscent light fixture, in tank skimmer, air pump, second nature 480 powerhead, Second Nature Whisper Triad Power Filter 60, and 2 tank heaters all for $150 bucks. I'm so excited I can't wait to fill it. this guy was great. He was just handing me stuff like it was going out of style.

So as far as filling the tank and getting it started what is the process I have to go through before I can put fish in it. I have already decided that I want to get a puffer, mandrin goby, and a pair of clowns. What would you suggest and or recommend? "Please show me the way oh great ones."

 

[mnreefman]

hold off on the mandarin for a year or so till you get a good pod population, the puffer needs a bigger hank that the 55 will offer. sorry to burst your bubble

 

[Anonymous]

Well, to give you a little perspective, I have a 55 gal FOWLR and DSB and I am on about the 4th month with no fish. I am almost ready to buy my first trio of carpenter flasher wrasses which will sit in quarantine for at least another month after I find them and save up money to buy them. So, maybe 6 months after I filled it with water I will put my first fish in.

All that is because I was running a death machine the last time it was set up, and this time I am going slow and doing it right.

Some Euro's wait a year

Bryan

 

[EDKHosting]

hold off on the mandarin for a year or so till you get a good pod population, the puffer needs a bigger hank that the 55 will offer. sorry to burst your bubble

Why do people always put fish like that in small tanks, even at the pet store? The other day there was a 3in puffer in a 10 gallon tank. Its sad really. There is a guy on another forum giving away a 12in puffer but I know that was too big for my tank. Are there people who frequent, or common pratice, in keeping fish to a point and then trading for other stuff cause I see this alot?

 

[humu]

4 tubes is enough for softies and some lps.