55 gallon Setup

Richard J · Jan 4, 2019

Hello everyone,
New here and very soon to be new to Saltwater Aquariums. I recently was given a 55 gallon Aquarium for free from a friend who was looking to get rid of it. It does not have filters or plumbing, it's just a tank. My question is, How would you go about setting it up. I was thinking a hang on system, but don't know if that would do enough. Any thoughts or ideas are greatly appreciated.
Thanks

James M · Jan 4, 2019

Welcome to reef2reef !!!
You can definitely do hang on backs on a 55 gallon though it would be better for you to have a sump.

Reef-junky · Jan 4, 2019

I would switch to a 40 breeder or a 75gal. 55s are very narrow. What does the tank have? What type of system do you want to run? Can the tank be drilled?

Richard J · Jan 4, 2019

It’s just a glass aquarium. From what I’ve seen you can drill them. I’m a little intimidated to try that, seeing this is my first saltwater tank. I plan on buying a new stand.

SPR1968 · Jan 5, 2019

Welcome to R2R Richard it’s great to have you with us!

You mind find this useful
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

I’m never confident about drills and aquariums but that’s just me!

Reef-junky · Jan 5, 2019

A lot of 55’s can’t be drilled. You would have to find out if it’s tempered glass. If you want coral’s then I would drill the tank and run a sump. If that’s all you have and you are going to get rid of the stand anyway I would sell it and by a 40 breeder or 75. You can get a 40 breeder for $40 at Petco $/gal sale.

Jeremy K.A. · Jan 5, 2019

I have a 55 with no skimmer or sump

ace1396 · Jan 5, 2019

I have a 55 with HOB skimmer, no sump.

Sparkymarc · Jan 8, 2019

Hob filter will do great

Vahanyos · Jan 8, 2019

If you don't want to bother with drilling and all that then i'd say your best bet would be hang on back everything. It's totally do-able too if you are having any doubts. As your first tank, it'll be very good experience. I started with one before I got myself a sump set up. All you'll really need hang on back is a skimmer... I also had a Tunze Comline 3162 filter in the corner of the tank to run chemipure elite for carbon and also if tuned correctly, it provided some good surface skimming