55 gallon beginner tank

[grantf]

Hello, I’m new to this forum and the reef community. I plan on building a 55 gallon saltwater tank with mainly coral but some fish. The setup process looks complicated so I’ll take any advice and overall instructions on getting the tank going (what water to get, what to test for, how long do I cycle it, etc).

I’ll take any advice on what corals to install and really any tips at all.

Thanks!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Welcome to Reef2Reef! I would start here with this article. This should answer a lot of your questions!

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium 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, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Fish Fan]

Hello, I’m new to this forum and the reef community. I plan on building a 55 gallon saltwater tank with mainly coral but some fish. The setup process looks complicated so I’ll take any advice and overall instructions on getting the tank going (what water to get, what to test for, how long do I cycle it, etc).

I’ll take any advice on what corals to install and really any tips at all.

Thanks!

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

Congrats on your first reef tank!

Could I ask, have you already purchased your 55 gallon tank? If so, it's fine, but if not, then maybe consider a different tank. The dimensions on a 55 just are not the best for a saltwater tank, in my opinion (certainly, this is all opinion). 55's are very narrow front to back (about 12"), which makes it more difficult to create a pleasing rockscape, and one that's functional for corals and fish. They are also relatively tall, requiring more powerful and more expensive lighting. I would suggest looking for a 40 gallon breeder or a 65 gallon tub. Both these tanks are 18" front to back and in saltwater most reefers value that front to back dimension

I hope that helps and good luck!

 

[edsbeaker]

Hi, and welcome!
Im not sure if you have already purchased a 55 gallon, but in case you have not, I just wanted to give you a suggestion. A 55 gallon will work, but it is a difficult size to aqua scape because it is only 12” front to back. Typically you will end up with a linear wall of rock down the length of the tank.

If you aren’t limited to space, you may want to consider moving to a slightly larger 75 gallon that is still 48” long, but 18” front to back. It allows for more interesting placement of rock work that will work better for coral placement.

 

[edsbeaker]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

Congrats on your first reef tank!

Could I ask, have you already purchased your 55 gallon tank? If so, it's fine, but if not, then maybe consider a different tank. The dimensions on a 55 just are not the best for a saltwater tank, in my opinion (certainly, this is all opinion). 55's are very narrow front to back (about 12"), which makes it more difficult to create a pleasing rockscape, and one that's functional for corals and fish. They are also relatively tall, requiring more powerful and more expensive lighting. I would suggest looking for a 40 gallon breeder or a 65 gallon tub. Both these tanks are 18" front to back and in saltwater most reefers value that front to back dimension

I hope that helps and good luck!

You beat me to the punch!

 

[NyteRyder1]

Following along as I’m new too and am interested in the advice you receive.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome, glad you are here!

 

[grantf]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

Congrats on your first reef tank!

Could I ask, have you already purchased your 55 gallon tank? If so, it's fine, but if not, then maybe consider a different tank. The dimensions on a 55 just are not the best for a saltwater tank, in my opinion (certainly, this is all opinion). 55's are very narrow front to back (about 12"), which makes it more difficult to create a pleasing rockscape, and one that's functional for corals and fish. They are also relatively tall, requiring more powerful and more expensive lighting. I would suggest looking for a 40 gallon breeder or a 65 gallon tub. Both these tanks are 18" front to back and in saltwater most reefers value that front to back dimension

I hope that helps and good luck!

Yes I bought the 55 but I can return it. I initially bought a 40 and returned it for the 55! Is the 55 a real no go or is it more of preference?

 

[Dom]

Hello, I’m new to this forum and the reef community. I plan on building a 55 gallon saltwater tank with mainly coral but some fish. The setup process looks complicated so I’ll take any advice and overall instructions on getting the tank going (what water to get, what to test for, how long do I cycle it, etc).

I’ll take any advice on what corals to install and really any tips at all.

Thanks!

If you haven't already purchased a 55, may I suggest a 40 breeder?

It is shorter with a bigger footprint than a 55. This will provide you with more room for rock-scaping and the shorter tank will allow you to select lights with less power (think cost).

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I agree a 40 breeder is a nice sized tank.

 

[Fish Fan]

Yes I bought the 55 but I can return it. I initially bought a 40 and returned it for the 55! Is the 55 a real no go or is it more of preference?

This is 100% your choice, totally a preference thing, but you've got pretty much everyone in this thread suggesting that you look for a tank with greater front-to-back depth

 

[Asm481]

My first saltwater set up was a 55 converted from freshwater. I hated it, no swim room or bottom space for the sand that I wanted. Went right to a 120, same width but 24 front to back. That was the best. I now have a seventy-five which is a fair compromise. This is 18 front to back. Fish wise the seventy-five is way better then the 55.