Setup For 55 Questions Comments

[freshwater]

I am setting up a 55 gallon saltwater tank and want to be as cost effecient as possible. I listed what I think that I will end up buying but if you could give me any comments or ideas that would be great

Filter- Aquaclear 110
http/www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/produc...oduct_sku=1080U

Protien Skimmer- Aquarium Systems Visi-Jet
http/www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/produc...oduct_sku=19351

Heater- All-Glass Submersible Heater-300 Watt
http/www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/produc...oduct_sku=13142

Powerhead- Aquarium Systems Maxi-Jet 900 Power Head 230 G.P.H.
http/www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/produc...oduct_sku=16691

Lighting- Coralife Magtinic Fluorescent Lamp -48" (40Watt)
http/www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/produc...roduct_sku=7894

Lighting- Coralife 20,000K Fluorescent Lamp- 48" (40Watt)
http/www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/produc...roduct_sku=8219

Total with 160 gallons of salt mix and shipping is 186 dollars. Do you think this will work out okay to start a 55 with I already have the lighting fixture and tank taken care of just need to get the hardware down.

Thanks

 

[fowler]

I take it this is gonna be a FO setup then mate?

Seen as ur well down on lighting and you havnt considered the 250 quids worth of Natural Filtration in Live Rock.. if so I cant see much wrong with the stuff you have chosen..

on a side note, that skimmer seems bloody cheap, u sure itl work alright?

 

[freshwater]

I had seen the skimmer elsewhere for 80 dollars... has anyone had any experiance with this skimmer before? and if I get 160 watts of lighting do you think it would be possible to get some mushrooms or what not i also plan on getting a 50 pound box of figi live rock

 

[john27]

Hi,
I had that skimmer about 8 years ago. Save your money it was a total waste of space.
Also the 2 tubes you have picked will make the tank very blue looking. I would change the 20,000k tube to a 10,000k tube
John.

 

[Lynden]

If i were you, I would have an external skimmer, they dont take up tank space and they are very effective. Also, visi-jet skimmers are not very effective. They often shut down and require cleaning. About the lights, blue is generally better, it puts out a very pleasing deep-water look. About your wattage, 80 watts is good enough for some animals, but you will be in for a sad suprise if you try to keep hard corals or anemones. Even some soft corals require 3 or more watts per gallon. On my tank i have 4 48'' bulbs, that is enough for my polyps but still not enough for SPS. Not to be the bringer of bad news, many polyps will still survive in your light level.

Try to get a power compact kit later on.
-Lynden

 

[Riley]

I have the same Protein Skimmer as that. It is an allright skimmer if you constantly nurse it. If not then it gets clogged up and dies untill you clean it out again. For example I left for the weekend and had know one to rinse out the collection cup so it got clogged and died till I cleaned it again. It is not the most realiable. I would look for a better skimmer if you could. Its good if you are low on money at the time and wanted to buy something temporary. But in the long run you are better off with a more realiable Skimmer.

-Riley