New 55 gallon hex setup

Indytraveler83 · Apr 22, 2019

**Update**

So I made a bit of a dumb error and took the seller's word for the tank size when I bought it. I bought the tank because the dimensions fit where I needed it to, and assumed she knew how big her tank was...

Well, surprise! It appears to be a 35, not a 55. On one hand I'm a bit disappointed I don't have 55 gallons to work with. But on the other hand, its the dimensions I needed for the space, and I got it cheap anyways, so I didn't get ripped off. (Though I feel really dumb for not fully checking things out first.)

So as far as the tank itself, obviously I need to downsize my plans to a 35. But aside from less fish/sand/rock/water/etc, does it really change anything? I think the plan I had for it still seems solid, but does the smaller space create issues I can't think of, where I need to change my plans up?

Jekyl · Apr 22, 2019

No. It will be fine. Smaller powerheads and skimmer. Same light. Less fish

Indytraveler83 · Apr 24, 2019

Alright-

Tank came with a rusty iron stand, so it’s outside with paint drying. Tank had been cleaned out and is ready to be worked on!

I ordered a bunch of supplies, the basis of which is 40 lbs of live sand, 40 lbs of dry rock and then 2 power heads and a protein skimmer (already have a heater). Also got a T5 lighting fixture for it.

The plan is to get it all set up, then once I get it up to temperature, I’m going to get some live rock from the pet store and seed the tank with that.

I’m definitely planning on a fishless cycle, and think I’ll probably work on adding inverts, and if I can get my head around coral, I might work on that too, prior to fish.

Everything sound solid so far?

Jekyl · Apr 25, 2019

As long as there is food for the inverts. I'd also recommend a heater controller for peace of mind. I skipped it at first and spent all day worried about it. Once cycled start with some softies like GSP or leathers. I'm also getting a timer for my lights this weekend so I can get them on a schedule rather than texting my wife every day to turn them on.

Indytraveler83 · Apr 25, 2019

Jekyl said:
As long as there is food for the inverts. I'd also recommend a heater controller for peace of mind. I skipped it at first and spent all day worried about it. Once cycled start with some softies like GSP or leathers. I'm also getting a timer for my lights this weekend so I can get them on a schedule rather than texting my wife every day to turn them on.

I’ll remember those things. I’m not gonna add inverts until the cycle is complete, but reefcleaners recommenced adding macroalgae to the tank to help it cycle. Any opinions on this? And if so what types?

I’ve seen some pretty cool images of macro being used as sort of a “planted” reef tank.