Need advice

[Khays1998]

So I have a 55g acrylic split tank that I'd LOVE to turn into a reef tank. The tunnels in between are 6" in diameter but im worried about water circulation. I'm new to the reef hobby and need help deciding how to do this? Lights, sump, skimmer, etc I need help with maybe a list of what to do and buy? I just dont know how the split tank will work and need help. This has been an ongoing project and I still have to sand and polish the acrylic as the previous owner wasnt the nicest to his tanks.

 

[SPR1968]

Hi there and welcome to R2R!

You might find this helpful and anything else you need to know just ask

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium This article was sponsored by @MarineDepot at www.marinedepot.com. Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Hemmdog]

Oh wow this thing could be really cool depending on what you want to do. Following for sure.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

This is definitely an interesting setup. Was it a fish tank before you acquired it? Anyways, I would personally have it share a single sump (obviously), and have an overflow box and an pump output on each side. Maybe try softies and lps on one side and sps on the other? Just a few suggestions. I’ll be following as well.

 

[Hemmdog]

This is definitely an interesting setup. Was it a fish tank before you acquired it? Anyways, I would personally have it share a single sump (obviously), and have an overflow box and an pump output on each side. Maybe try softies and lps on one side and sps on the other? Just a few suggestions. I’ll be following as well.

So many cool options. Australian coral side/ Caribbean side, indo/Australian, if you put some egg crate in the tunnels you could have a predator side/ passive reef fish, mixed reef/clown harem nem land. So many options, this is to cool.

 

[Bryson.bobby]

So many cool options. Australian coral side/ Caribbean side, indo/Australian, if you put some egg crate in the tunnels you could have a predator side/ passive reef fish, mixed reef/clown harem nem land. So many options, this is to cool.

I really like the fish idea. can’t wait until this setup gets off the ground.

 

[Khays1998]

This is definitely an interesting setup. Was it a fish tank before you acquired it? Anyways, I would personally have it share a single sump (obviously), and have an overflow box and an pump output on each side. Maybe try softies and lps on one side and sps on the other? Just a few suggestions. I’ll be following as well.

Thankyou!

This is definitely an interesting setup. Was it a fish tank before you acquired it? Anyways, I would personally have it share a single sump (obviously), and have an overflow box and an pump output on each side. Maybe try softies and lps on one side and sps on the other? Just a few suggestions. I’ll be following as well.

It was, he had it saltwater at first, then it sat in a shed for about a year then it was freshwater

 

[jtl]

Interesting, but each side is pretty small to put to a practical use imo.

 

[Khays1998]

Interesting, but each side is pretty small to put to a practical use imo.

I was thinking setting each up kindof like a nano, but that's not what I'm focused on. I'm not sure about hardware and equipment

 

[Auquanut]

If you put the overflow on one side and the return on the other, you would get flow through the tunnels. Don't know how effective it would be. If you decide it's too much trouble, send it to me. I'd love to play with it. Sounds like a great project.
Oh. And welcome to R2R!

 

[Khays1998]

If you put the overflow on one side and the return on the other, you would get flow through the tunnels. Don't know how effective it would be. If you decide it's too much trouble, send it to me. I'd love to play with it. Sounds like a great project.
Oh. And welcome to R2R!

That's what I was thinking, of course a power head is always an option. And no way! This thing has been my newest love since I got it! Im not parting with this beauty unless I'm 6ft below lol

 

[Auquanut]

I'm thinking you will want power heads in both sides. SO many possibilities!

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Did you get this thing set up yet?

 

[Auquanut]

I'd forgotten all about this! I'd really like to see this thing in action.

 

[Jon Fishman]

If it were me, I would do a really deep sandbed in one half, bare-bottom the other half, and do a nice reef light on the bare bottom side and do Nems and Clowns, and do a Mantis Shrimp with a “night” red light on the other side

 

[LadyMac]

That’s an awesome tank!

I’d put a powerhead on each side, one that would flow through one tube and the other for the other.

Of course, I’d do something different, involving land on one side with access to the beach on the other. Lol.