55 gallon newb

sreed07 · Oct 10, 2020

Alright, so after slowly piecing my stuff together (mostly second hand) I think I’m ready to get going. I’ve got a 55 gallon drilled tank with a freedom series sump, Bubble-Magus C3.5 skimmer (needs a Venturi and air line but it’s on the way) and a DC pump. Also have a 100 and a 150 watt heater in the sump. For water, I have a Melev’s Reef RO/DI Unit. Bought about 55 lbs of dry Marco rock and 60 lbs of Arag-Alive.

sreed07 · Oct 11, 2020

In the process of making the salt now and put the rock in the tank. No light while cycling right?

daybreaksky · Oct 11, 2020

looking good! brings back memories, my last tank was a 55 like 10 years ago. what are you using for lights?
No lights for cycle until fish unless you decide to seed coralline algae.

sreed07 · Oct 13, 2020

Got the tank up and running! After adding the water and having it circulating all I do now is sit, wait and test frequently to see when my tank is done cycling right? Heard about adding a frozen shrimp to help add ammonia?

sreed07 · Oct 13, 2020

daybreaksky said:
looking good! brings back memories, my last tank was a 55 like 10 years ago. what are you using for lights?
No lights for cycle until fish unless you decide to seed coralline algae.

I bought something cheap off Amazon before I really started learning.

sreed07 · Oct 23, 2020

After dissing pure ammonia from Ace Hardware, I’m finally seeing the Nitrites raising! Once the ammonia and nitrites 0 out and I do a water change to lower the nitrates I’m good to add fish right? I’ve also seen people recommend keeping the lights off for a few more months to help avoid the ugly phase. Anyone else have suggestions on this? Thanks!

sreed07 · Nov 1, 2020

20 days later it looks like my cycle is complete! Does anyone suggest dosing the ammonia back up to about 4 and seeing if ammonia and nitrite are back to zero in 24 hours?

sreed07 · Nov 2, 2020

Did a 50% water change today, gonna recheck the Nitrate tomorrow to make sure it’s good and then my wife and I are getting two clowns as an joint anniversary gift!

wonroc · Nov 2, 2020

That tank is hotter than alot bayonne latinas. And those chicks are hot

sreed07 · Nov 3, 2020

wonroc said:
That tank is hotter than alot bayonne latinas. And those chicks are hot

Haha thanks!

sreed07 · Nov 3, 2020

Finally added a couple clowns! Lights will typically remain off unless we are wanting to admire them for a few minutes or while feeding.

sreed07 · Nov 11, 2020

What should I add next to this 55 gallon? So far two clowns, a skunk cleaner shrimp and a Scarlett Hermit. Tank has had the fish now for almost two weeks, ammonia and nitrites remain zero.

sreed07 · Nov 23, 2020

Tank is still going strong! Still haven’t decided what to add next. My shrimp has molted twice in the last three weeks and my hermit has molted once. Good sign of the water parameters right?

sreed07 · Dec 4, 2020

Upgraded my light to the Reef Brite 48” LumiLite Pro. For the price it’s good!

Also splurged a bit on Black Friday and got the RedSea ReefWave 25. Seems like the perfect size for my 55.