5 Foot Tank New To Marine

[Sunny.C]

Hey Guys,

New to marine and i have a 60inch x 24 inch x 24inch tank which i want to setup.
What should i be looking at and what plans do i need to make??
eg: Sump size & sump type, lighting , fish etc..

Thanks in Advanced.

 

[Matthew5664]

What do you want to keep will influence your choice of equipment. If you want a reef tank look at metal halide lighting strong water movement calcium reactor and a good skimmer. For a fish only with live rock the lights don't have to be that bright and the calcium reactor you can miss out. If you were thinking along the lines of a predator tank, Lion fish and such like, think about a better skimmer.

My advice would be to draw up a short list of the livestock you want to keep then get the equipment to suit.

 

[Sunny.C]

Well i will give you guys a little more info.

I have,
Pumps for sump
Pump for water
300w heater
tank.

I want to build up to a reef tank with a wide range of coloured fish, some advice would be nice.

BTW if i was to go predator what can i keep with a lion fish in my size tank? 8)

 

[Matthew5664]

In that tank you could keep 2 lions and a rabbit fish or moray eel. However these are not too good in full reef tanks. Look at Tangs and Angles.

What rate are your pumps? lph or gph

For that size tank you would something like a Deltec AP600 skimmer and about 3 x 250W metal halides

You will need a min of x10 tank turnover in your tank so that’s about 5,000lph. Now Seio are good, you could get 2xMP820 witch will be fine or there’s the Tunze range bit more expensive but you get what you pay for. Now the 6060 Turbelle Stream Pump is what you would be looking for.

That’s skimming Lighting and water movement. Now there’s topoff (can do it manually) monitoring (Get yourself a complete test kit) And Calcium and Alkilinity additive witch can be done by dosing or by reactors

It’s really up to you and your bank manager!!

 

[SkiFletch]

I agree with Matt, he has some great ideas there. If you're wanting a colorful reef, invest in a very big very good skimmer off the start. Not sure whats available in australia, but maybe Mr. Miagi can help you out there. Then, go for a MINIMUM of 10x flow, I'd go with 20x so 10,000 LPH. In the beginning, water changes will help replenish calcium and alkalinity, but ultimately you'll need to look into a calcium reactor and kalkwasser topoff as your coral load increases months to years down the road. As for a sump, I'd build one that is as big as will fit in your stand, wall, basement, or wherever you are going to place it. Dont make it so big that its daunting to maintain it, but most people with an in-stand sump would go for around a 55gal tank under one as big as you're describing

I'd consider Tangs, pygmy angels (fullsize ones are usually more coral-hungry), wrasses (fullsize or dwarf), and anthias for stocking of a tank like that (if you want color of course). Remember to stay away from fish that are not reef-safe if you wish to stock heaviily with corals.

 

[hyrookin]

maybe you could start with fish only,
and research starting the reef from there.

besides needing the skimmer and halides,
you will also need a good amount of live rock.

either way, good luck to you.

 

[JJ1234567]

you know, in a tank that size you could put alot of smaller fish. Do a clown pair, get a couple dozen gobys (neons are schoolers i believe) get a psuedo chromis or two. I think the smaller fish are just as good looking as the big ones, and Ive personally always enjoyed the tiny darting movement of color you get from the smaller fish.

 

[Sunny.C]

I think i am more towards going for a predator tank muahaha
If i do that i guess i have love to go with live rock with no corals???
Also what else can i put in there if i go for a LION predator??? I am hoping i can
get tangs and maybe a Flame angels as i love them..
Any ideas?

 

[SkiFletch]

In a tank that large you could keep a lion or two with Tangs and probably a flame angel or perhaps two. Lions are also very reef-safe fish so if in the future you want to try corals, you wont have a problem. Tangs are also reef-safe, and MOST (90%+) individual dwarf angels are as well. If you do go with a larger predator, make sure you get a good skimmer, cause they're messy eaters and your water quality will suffer longterm with a small and/or cheap one.

 

[Chac]

What about

Snowflake Eel's
Puffers (NOT REEF SAFE)

 

[Sunny.C]

I do not like Eel's..
What if i go with a dwarf Lionfish will that make room for a little more? i want about 5 to 6 fish in there.
Is the difference between dwarf and normal lion just size or other things aswell?