[docjones]

OK I have been searching this site like a troll for couple of days now and have a couple of questions.

this is for a 55g tank


1) filtering- I plan to have about 60lbs of live sand and the same for live rock. that being said, besides the protein skimmer is there a need for other mechanical filtering? I have read allot that says no, and some that says yes. I do plan to get a sump set up later but not right off the bat. I have two hang-on filters with the bio-wheels, should I use them?

2) Water flow- is 1000gph total water flowto much or not enough for the tank? I do plan to break this up into different points in the tank, but it will equal the 1000gph in total.

3)Coral- is it a most, I want to have fish and anemones, maybe some coral. But is coral needed for success?

I am very new to this, I have noticed there is a great difference from fresh water which is what I am used too. thanks for the time.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

With a 4 inch sand bed and 1.5 to 2 pounds of live rock to the gallon and a good properly adjusted and maintained protien skimmer you wont need any other filtration.Skimmer manufacturers seem to like to overstate the abilities of there skimmer so go bigger than recomended.
Water flow betwenn 20x and 30x the tank volume is recomended.
Coral is not a must and not having them will not adversly effect your tank.

[docjones]

So with my 55g setup, I should need no additional filtration if I have...

3.5 inch Live sand bed (what I ordered)
110lbs of Live Rock
AquaC Remora Pro Protein Skimmer With Mag-Drive 3 Pump
and abour 1000gph total water movement

And I will add a sump system in about a month or so, but it will not be ready for the start-up.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

that is correct