[VerdantGrotto]

Since my freshwater is doing great and is at full capacity I've managed to convince the Mrs. To let me build a saltwater tank. Not only did she agree to it but it would make the room look "off-centered" and then she suggested we get TWO! . That being said, I'm starting the stand build immediately! I will be posting pics of the build as it progresses.

On another note, the total build will require a lot of research as I have never ventured into the marine portion of fish-keeping. What little bit of research I've done has only created a million more questions... So here goes

What is the "best" filtration setup and why?

What are the pros and cons of each filtration setup?

Protein skimmer , is it worth the money?

What is the easiest coral to keep?

Does live rock come in one color only?

What are some suggested fish tank stocking ideas?

...and the list shall go on and on :lol:

 

[VerdantGrotto]

Does the same general rule apply of "an inch of fish per gallon of the tank" in saltwater?

 

[RSully]

Inch per gallon definitely doesn't work for SW/Marine. I don't know the exact ratio but it's quite a bit lower. Take a look at Live Aquaria and look at there recommended tank sizes for some of their fish. Protein skimmer is a must from what I understand once you get above 30 gallons. (some get away without one on a bit bigger tanks but it will require more maintenance. Live rock does come in different shades. I'll leave the filtration to others but will say the majority of it comes from your live rock. You'll need 1 to 1 1/2 pds of LR per gallon. The easiest of corals are Green star polyps, mushrooms, Kenya tree, xenia, zoas etc. but all have their pros and cons.

 

[VerdantGrotto]

what size of skimmer should I get? (GPH)
I have a 54 gallon corner possible future reef tank

 

[wake49]

For a skimmer, I would get one that rates for 125 - 200 gallons. Always over shoot your actual tank size when it comes to skimmers.

For filtration, the Berlin method is widely popular in this hobby. That is an abundance of live rock, a deep sand bed and a protein skimmer. Anaerobic bacteria deep seeded in the rock and in the deepest parts of the sand convert nitrates into nitrogen gas, which leaves the system naturally. The skimmer removes dissolved organic solids before they break down into nitrates.

54 corner tanks can be difficult to light properly because of their shape. You might want a wide LED fixture or a metal halide to light it correctly...


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[VerdantGrotto]

Thanks

I got the aquarium ordered today :-D
54 gallon corner tank to be picked up friday

I guess i better get working on the stand for this tank.
On that note, I am a little confused as to the size of sump I would need. I found a few products that are definitely cheaper than retail stores around me (400$). The one i found says it's rated for 75-125 gallon tanks and it's $200. This one is smaller than the $400 one the LFS manager suggested I get. So the breakdown is (A) $200 Berlin style sump (20Gallon capacity) rated for 75-125 gallons. Or (B) LFS suggestion which is approximately 30 gallons. What would you buy?:|

 

[badxgillen]

You could just buy a cheap used tank and make you own sump with baffles either acrylic or preferably glass. If you want a prefab one make sure its dimensions will allow you to utilize the equipment you are choosing for you build. It really sucks to find out later on that your skimmer wont fit or you cant add a reactor that you wanted.

 

[VerdantGrotto]

I know have the sump tanks purchased and I'm currently trimming the baffle walls. I had a quote to have them done and they were 38.75$ each... I'll be doing it myself, they're just sump baffles. How hard could it be?

 

[VerdantGrotto]

Pistol shrimp compatibility with other shrimp

Are Banded coral shrimp ok to house in a corner 54 gallon tank with a red and white pistol shrimp?

 

[badxgillen]

Yeah the shrimp should stay out of each others way.

 

[VerdantGrotto]

Reef Tank Livestock list Questions

After research I've narrowed down the list of inhabitants one of my two 54 corner reef tanks will hold. Please have a look at the list below and respond with your thoughts. I will assign a letter to them so It'll be easier to answer the top question I have for all of these awesome creatures.

(A) Neon Goby -
Quantity = 1
Max Size = 2"
Question = Are these fish compatible with BS Shrimp Gobies?

(B) Blue Spotted Shrimp Goby -
Quantity = 1
Max Size = 4"
Question = How deep should the sand be for this fish and a Red banded Pistol shrimp?

(C) A. Percula or A. Ocellaris
Quantity = 2
Max Size = 4"
Question = What is the easiest/hardiest anemone these clowns will accept?

(D) Bangaii Cardinal
Quantity = 2 to 4
Max Size = 3.5"
Question = Should I get 2 , 3 or 4 ? Is it possible to breed them successfully in a display tank?

(E) Red Banded Pistol Shrimp
Quantity = 1
Max Size = 2"
Question = Should I occasionally get Ghost shrimp to feed them?

(F) Fire Shrimp
Quantity = 1
Max Size = 2"
Question = Why should I get 2 of these? Is it imperative to there "stress level"?

(G) Banded Coral Shrimp
Quantity = 1
Max Size = ?
Question = Are any of the above shrimp and or fish destructive to Softies , Corals and/or Anemones ?


Also:

(X) Is the above list an OK fish load for a 54 Gallon Corner Reef tank?

(Y) Are there too many shrimp?

(Z) Does anyone want to buy a Kidney so I can pay for all of this?:lol:

 

[Chesh]

I'm sorry I can't help with stocking, but I'm so laughing about the kidney comment! >.<
Hope you get the input (and funds!) you need, cuz' I can't wait to see you get this beauty together!

 

[badxgillen]

A: Do you mean Blue Spot goby? If so I am not too sure about it as the blue spot pavanoides gets rather large and I bet would try and eat a much smaller fish.

B: You can get away with a inch,inch and a half if you want and they will move it around. You can always add more if you are unpleased with the look. Make sure your rock work is secure and touching the bottom of the tank.

C: A bubble tip anemone that is captive raised and local,green or a rose.

D: If your tank has enough room you can keep a few but usualy they are best in pairs.

E: Nah just go with some frozen foods of reputable brands.

F: I have kept fire shrimp singly in several tanks for some time without issues,I would love any input as to why you would want two over one.

G: Everythign you have listed is reefsafe although some times the pistols will steal loos coral for there den.

 

[VerdantGrotto]

About the fire shrimp, I had read somewhere (I believe it was live aquaria.com) that they are social with there own kind and you should get two in an effort to relieve stresses from captive life. I'd prefer to have the fish load available for other creatures so it would be more diverse but I am perfectly fine with having multiple specimens of this awesome creature

 

[VerdantGrotto]

Any other opinions on the stocking list?

 

[aussieJJDude]

Gotta say, I love the stocking list!
It sounds super awesome!
Love the kidney comment, i get back to ya when I need one - if so, could I get bulk??

 

[VerdantGrotto]

I could use some help with an invertebrate / coral stocking list. I'm thinking softies , a mushroom or two and some kind of anemone or whatever a clown couple will take too ( I know it's not required but I like the interaction )

 

[VerdantGrotto]

Sump DIY

I have purchased two 20Gallon tanks to use as sumps for these Reef tanks. I have two 54 Gallon Corners that will eventually become Reef tanks.

I am in the middle of creating the baffle walls for the sumps using small acrylic sheets. Everything was going well until I tried to use a jigsaw. In hind-sight I would suggest to other DIY folks to use a thicker material than .093"... Quarter inch should be sufficient if the cuts are performed in junction with masking tape and the edge being cut close to a firm backing piece. Such as clamping it to a work table. I have .093" thick acrylic sheets and the jigsaw cracked it.

 

[badxgillen]

Well that sucks. On another note the thinner acrylic can bow more wich can lead to stress in the seams that you try and seal. Sometimes they bend enough to cause the sides of the baffle to leak.

 

[VerdantGrotto]

I assume the baffle walls are essentially for controlling the turbulence in the sump. Basically they're a wave break. My thoughts were that since there wasn't a heavy load against the wall that this stuff would be sufficient. In hindsight, I wish I would have purchased a thicker sheet of acrylic instead of trying to save money with a thin sheet. They just start getting really expensive after the 0.093" thick material. This entire system is a learning process for me which is great because I have a second 54G Corner Reef I will be building after this one:-D. I did get the baffle walls fabricated though. They came out OK. Without the specialized equipment that manufacturers have it makes it a little less accurate. I successfully made the cuts with a Router and a small bit. I simply clamped the baffle to a small sheet of plywood to use as backing support piece and made the cut. FYI... If your try to cut more than one at a time they will fuse together because the acrylic gets so hot that it melts (They were literally welded together) Let's just say I'm glad they'll be under the cabinet. They're not much to look at but they'll do just fine.

Also, The stocking list has changed slightly. Instead of a Blue spot Goby I'd like to get the DIAGONAL BAR PRAWN GOBY. I found them on liveaquaria.