[popkorn247]

I have a 55g setup. At first it was setup for a freshwater setup. I want to switch it over to saltwater I've read a few books,read tons of posts from this forum and many others. The questions I have are : Can I use the light setup they used for freshwater? I don't like it. It's a Perfecto? by the way. I don't like the fact it has a single bulb. It also has a Whisper 30/60 filtration setup. Could I use that as well? Any sites with cheap light fixtures that have dual bulbs or even a single bulb with moon lights? Oh I want to setup a FO for right now and then add coral at a later time. Any help would be of great use to me. Thanks alot. I've got tons of cleaning to do for right now but i'm trying to look ahead. Thanks again.

[Six-line Wrasse]

For fish only, you don't even need lighting. I would recommend it so you can see your investment, but you don't need'em.

As for the Perfecto single tube setup, it's usable for fish-only tanks, but I even then wouldn't recommend it. They're cheaply made and sit far to close to a tank's water level (with little protection) for my taste. Also, if you ever plan to upgrade to corals, then you'll have to upgrade anyways.

Also, the filter is crap, I would lose it and just go ahead and buy an AquaClear 500(110) as your filter of choice. You can easily remove most of the filter media (sponges, carbon, etc.) and replace it with other filter media of higher quality. This is the route I would go for all intended purposes.

Back to the lighting situation. Are you DIY-friendly? (AKA, can you follow directions and assemble moderately challenging retro lighting kits.) If you can follow instructions, which most will come with, than you should say yes. I would retrofit a number of bulbs into a custom canopy. A local woodworker (or brother-in-law) can and usually will produce a pine canopy for under $30 - 50. This is a much better way to go than ahead and buy a pre-built PC-only canopy which will cost roughly the same amount.

If you have any questions or if something doesn't make sense I should be around for another couple hours before I really dive into my books for tomorrow's final.

[popkorn247]

Ok that sounds reasonable. So I'd just give my tank measurements to a woodworker and ask them to build a canopy with a lighting system in it? or Have them build the canopy and add the lights myself? DIY seems to be a more cheaper route and I like to build stuff (not real good but can accomplish it) hah. Another Q. Whats the deal with the play/sandbox sand? Does anyone use it? I'm still thinkin of q's. I'm sure i got about 50 more. heh

[popkorn247]

Oh and "media of higher quality" you mean what?

[Six-line Wrasse]

What I would do first is look around the DIY section and try to look at canopies people have built there. These are usually well ventilated (you may need to add square holes for fans in the canopy if you want to get a little more creative, and to help prevent additional heat from your lighting setup.

As for the lighting. You install your own lighting. A woodworker won't take on the responsibility of installing any electrical work. He may install your reflectors for you, if you provide them and mark where they need to be, but I would do that for yourself.

Measure twice, cut once.

Play sand is okay. You want to make sure it's small enough to pass through the gills of a fish, however. Usually sugar-sized graduals are good enough. I went the more expensive route and bought dry sand from Dr. Foster and Smith. I bought two bags of like 30 lbs. and it came to like $50 or something after shipping. If you want to go for local Home Depot sand, I would ask around 'cause I don't know of any good stuff anymore since the Southdown company switched owners.

Another thing about DIY'ing a canopy is that canopies that are held together with screws can be unscrewed and rearranged. With a PC setup now you can easily change it to DIY metal halides. You just pull the PC kits out and screw in the new MH kits and you're done, and for half the price. With DIYing, always buy moisture resistant end caps and solid ballasts.

[elkman97462]

I read a post about playground "Old Castle" sand at Home Depot. Went to local store and they had no idea what I was asking for and could not find a listing for it. Went to Lowe's and they carry Quikrete #1113 playground sand, supposedly extra fine size. Looked at the MSDS and it is pure silica. Needs rinsing to remove dust before placing in tak. I am leaning towards using it as a base with some live sand on top. Lowe's was about $3.50 for a 50# sack.

[Six-line Wrasse]

I don't know, but if I remember silica is bad for saltwater reefs.

I would look for oolitic aragonite sand, see if Home Depot or Lowes carries that in quantity.

[zeroedge]

Originally Posted by elkman97462

I read a post about playground "Old Castle" sand at Home Depot. Went to local store and they had no idea what I was asking for and could not find a listing for it. Went to Lowe's and they carry Quikrete #1113 playground sand, supposedly extra fine size. Looked at the MSDS and it is pure silica. Needs rinsing to remove dust before placing in tak. I am leaning towards using it as a base with some live sand on top. Lowe's was about $3.50 for a 50# sack.

You do not want this sand! Southdown use to make Tropical Playsand which is 100% aragonite and silica free. It is now available under the new company name Yardright. It is still called Tropical Playsand. Yardright makes a couple of others, but you want Tropical Play Sand. Contact yardright for a store near you.

[popkorn247]

For this 55g setup do I need a sump and refugium(sp), power heads? I want a FOWLR for right now. I guess I need a list of things to get. I was looking at a few things like a Via Aqua Skimmer, heard of it? A Penguin 350 Bio Wheel? Thanks again

[zeroedge]

First of all, how much live rock are you planning on putting in this tank? If you are planning on putting in 50-70 lbs, then your live rock can be used as your filtration, providing that you have proper water flow within the aquarium. This means you would need 2-4 powerheads in your tank. Live rock will be a much more efficient filter than the penguin biowheel. Otherwise Six Line Wrasse recommended the AquaClear 500 as being his filter of choice. I personally would use the live rock (Berlin method) as the filtration.

In the long run having a sump would be the best way to go. In that case you'll need a return pump and an "in the sump" skimmer and an overflow box. if you choose not to go with a sump, then you'll need a HOB(hang on back) skimmer, regardless of the way, you don't want to skimp on the skimmer. You want to buy the best you can afford, ie. Euro-Reef, Aqua C, ETS, etc.... Ask around and see what others are using.

this is a very exciting and rewarding hobby providing that you practice patience and ask questions. Before you do anything, use the forum and ask questions. A lot of mistakes are made and questions are asked after the fact rather than asking the questions first. I can't stress the importance of this!

Good luck!

[animekid1]

You'll need the Powerheads for water circulation. I have also heard and or seen other more expeirenced folks tell new people to stay away from Bio Wheels. I have also seen some say that they are just fine. Live rock you'll want about 1 to 1 1/2 lbs of rock per gallon of aquarium, so in your case figure about 60lbs. The rock itself is a matter of taste and your own personal preference. as far as a skimmer, I have a Red Sea Prism skimmer. It seems to do the job just fine for me. Not sure that you'll need the sump or the refugium, unless you decide to go with the live corals, and even then, I am not sure of the total necessity of these two items. I am re-doing my tank, adding more live rock, live sand, and looking to add live corals in the future, but I am not looking to add these. I guess in my case, I will see if they for some reason become necessary.

Good Luck, and remember " Patience is a Virtue ", so don't rush the process of setting up your system.