Got Some Kit

[mark7616]

Ok so I have a 55g tank that im currently setting up. I have just bought an arcadia I bar and 2 x white marine 14000k bulbs is this going to be ok. Ill be buying a protein skimmer and 2x SEIO M820 power heads. Now where do I need to position these heads??? Also with the lighting I have am i limited to certain types of crals or can I keep most things? Also is 30kg of live rock sufficient or is it to much, will i need to run my external filter or should I buy a skimmer that can hold phos and carbon. Sorry for all the questions trying to take it all in.

 

[SkiFletch]

Thats ok, better to ask now then have problems later . I'd position the seios at opposite ends of the tank blowing across it. I'd have one high up pointed towards the surface for agitation there and one midway down pointed towards the opposite corner to splasy off the front glass near the oppsoite corner. A dual T5 setup will be great for most softies and decent for some easier LPS. Stay away from high-light lovers like clams, nems, acros, etc though.

 

[mark7616]

Thanks ski that ties a few things up as for my external will I need it or shall I just get rid of it? Also is 30kg ok as far as rock goes or should I get 25kgs as corals come on pieces of rock.

 

[Ricey]

you could keep the external and just remove the foam pads etc and put carbon and rowaphos in it. Just remember to change the carbon once a month ish.
the outlet can give you a little bit more turnover as well.

30kg should be fine for a 55g i think its a case of "more is better" with live rock.
however, dont forget that the more rock you have, the less water you actually have in your tank!

 

[mark7616]

But if I get a skimmer that has a compartment for phos and carbon I wont need the external will I???

 

[Ricey]

nope

 

[SkiFletch]

I'd keep the external just to run rowaphos for phosphates. Yes, the skimmer will remove a lot of them, but certain forms of phosphate are not able to be removed by a skimmer because of their structure. You can still have a phosphate problem even with a good skimmer. Its rare, but much easier to stop phosphates with a little rowaphos BEFORE they lead to an algae bloom

 

[mark7616]

Cant I just pur rawphos in the protein skimmer if i get one that can take media???

 

[callell]

Your tank would be much better of with a Rowa-Reactor

This will keep your Rowa moving at all times rather than in an external or a Skimemr where it may/will become compacted

If you loosing the Nut on top of the Seio this will allow you to aim the pump at the surface, this will give you excellent surface agitation but remember this will cut down slightly on the overall flow

 

[callell]

Also if it were me I would replace the 2 x Seio M820 with 2 x Seio M1100 as this will give you a slightly higher turnover

 

[mark7616]

I just set up my I bar damn i didnt realise just how bright they were. Its 2x 39w 14,000k white bulbs with reflectors I couldnt belive how bright the tank was. Anyways please could someone give me a run down of exactly what I should use kit wise as I am getting mixed messages and am getting quiet confused.
]
Now what power heads should I get.
Do I need a protein skimmer with media baskets or just a normal one and run my external.
How much live rock will I need to get?
Do I use live sand if so how many kgs?

Im really sorry about all the questions just do not want to mess up also should the tank be set at 30c about 78f

p.s Ill be buying all this kit saturday.

 

[bobf]

I just set up my I bar damn i didnt realise just how bright they were. Its 2x 39w 14,000k white bulbs with reflectors I couldnt belive how bright the tank was. Anyways please could someone give me a run down of exactly what I should use kit wise as I am getting mixed messages and am getting quiet confused.
]
Now what power heads should I get.
Do I need a protein skimmer with media baskets or just a normal one and run my external.
How much live rock will I need to get?
Do I use live sand if so how many kgs?

Im really sorry about all the questions just do not want to mess up also should the tank be set at 30c about 78f

p.s Ill be buying all this kit saturday.

Many of your questions have already been answered above Mark, but just to recap;

Live sand - don't need it if you get plenty live rock. Just get arogonite sand and it will mature into 'live sand' over time anyway as life spreads from your live rock.

Temp - you want around 78 deg F which is around 26 deg C (not 30 deg C)

Powerheads - just get enough for 20 x turnover as a minimum

Live rock 25-30kg

Skimmer - just get a decent one, if it has a compartment for Rowaphos fine, if not, use your external. (Check some of the other threads for specific recommends on skimmers - I got a second hand Deltec MCE 600 after recommends on here - its a hang on back job with room for rowaphos.