55 gallon reef

[Mermaid123]

We've had to set the 55 gallon up sooner than anticipated namely because we can't fit everything from the 180 into the 75 and 40 gallon tanks! LOL We got it moved in and filled with sw yesterday. Added about an inch of sand from the 180 and then had to wait for it to clear. Right now there is a HOB on it as the overflow isnt hooked up yet. This is going to be the only fully automated tank we have with all the toys on it.

Tank Specs will be as follows:
55 Gallon All Glass Tank
15 Gallon wet/dry converted to sump/fuge
2x175 MH (10,000k Ushio), 2x96 PC actinic
Stoney Reef Kalk Reactor
Knop Excalibur Skimmer
Auto Top Off System
SCWD Wavemaker

Right now we have no idea how much live rock will be in the system but it will be at least 100+ pounds. More live sand will be added after the base peices of rock are placed. Here's a pic of the very beginning. More pics will be added as we progress.

[Mermaid123]

Got the aquascaping started, so far I really like it. There's only 80 watts of light on there right now since we dont have halides retro'd into the canopy yet. Crappy pic sorry, was too lazy to get out the tripod! LOL

[oldsaint]

Lookin good

BTW where's the couch :biglaugh2 :couch:

[Mermaid123]

Thanks and the couch was croped out of the picture! LOL

[ReefTourist]

I like the "bridges" between the edge rock and the middle tower.
I look forward to seeing you (a gadget-less fan) setup a gadget-full system.
How do you like the Excalibur skimmer, and what are you going to put in the fuge (DSB, plenum, macro)?

[Mermaid123]

Thanks! We've been running the Excalibur on the 180 and seems to pull quite a lot of nice thick dark .....crap..... out (for lack of a better word, LOL). I think it should handle the much smaller 55 just fine. We'll prob. just use live rock (lots left over) and macros in the sump. The stand for the 55 is only 10" wide in the cabinet area so we couldnt with a sump as large as we wanted to. Can't wait to get the halides on it and get all the plumbing hooked up. Been looking at the diagram on how to hook the kalk reactor up and...... looks like a good job for Vern! hahahaha!!!

[Mermaid123]

Updated: We'll be building the canopy tomorrow and retroing in the lights, right now the halide reto strip is just sitting over the tank.

[Ghostwriter]

Wow I had never seen this thread. Great job on the 55 guys. Its only a week old or so and already looks way better than mine :'(

[Mermaid123]

Thanks Pete! It does not look better than yours! It's still got a long way to go but hopefully today we'll be able to get a lot done on it.

[Ghostwriter]

If you lived closer by I would definately get my arms wet trying to help...or maybe just soak my tongue in beer, watch and learn.