6. 55 Gallon Reef Tank

6. 55 Gallon Reef Tank

Reef tanks should be filled with live rock and the focus and excitement will be on the corals and invertebrates, not the fish. Smaller numbers of less aggressive fish that won’t feed on the corals are kept in these systems. Do not heavily load these systems with fish but make sure you have algae eaters - either fish or invertebrates. This solution lists the recommended supplies and equipment for setting up and maintaining the perfect 55-gallon reef tank.
Tank Choose one from a local dealer where you'll buy fish. Since this is the vessel that keeps your your fish alive and your spouse from killing you for damaging the floors, be willing to pay a little more for a quality name brand such as All Glass Aquarium Inc., Oceanic or Innovative Plastics.

Hood/Lighted Hood
Only purchase an aquarium with a glass top. Plastic hoods are not acceptable for saltwater setups. Plastic hoods limit the ability to add extra lighting and do not prevent “saltwater creep” from causing a mess. Standard fixtures will not do. Use one of the AquaLites or Hagen T-5 HO light fixtures. If you plan on keeping some of harder to keep hard corals or if you plan to keep any type of coral, choose the double row AquaLites.

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Stand or Cabinet
Make sure the cabinet is properly constructed for handling up to 10lbs per gallon of water. If something other than an aquarium stand is used, it should be able to support the weight and hold the entire rim of the aquarium bottom level with no spaces between the rim and the support.

Filter Selection This system requires advanced protein skimming and added circulation. Skimmers should be considered mandatory in these systems. There are two options for the “ultimate configuration” The first option leans more toward a “Berlin type” system and it incorporates the MR500 Trickle Filter and a skimmer. This system will work if the focus is on invertebrates and not a heavy fish load. In “Berlin” style systems the sump is used for housing larger skimmers, carbon etc. Some keepers even remove the bio media once the system is established. It is always best to have a quality built filter, like the Aquarium Life Support Systems units, that can be modified and used for any type of system in the future. Because the tendency is to put too many fish in a reef, the second option, using the P1000 Trickle Filter is preferred. This system can be used for either a Berlin configuration or as is with great results. Keep in mind that protein skimming is mandatory in reef systems.

	Option 1 MR500 Trickle Filter, Package #2 This Aquarium Life Support Systems package includes: MR500 Trickle Filter w/ 1/2" Locline Return Micro Siphon Box Surge 3500 Pump 22V Skimmer

	Option 2 P1000 Trickle Filter, Package #2 This Aquarium Life Support Systems package includes: P1000 Trickle Filter w/ 1/2" Locline Return Mag 5 Pump Micro Siphon Box 1/2" Combo 90 1/2" FiptxI 22V Protein Skimmer

	For Drilled tanks with Overflows: P1000 Trickle Filter, Package #3 This Aquarium Life Support Systems package includes: P1000RR Trickle Filter w/ 3/4" tubing and no return Mag 7 Pump 22V Protein Skimmer 1/2" Combo 90 3/4" Clamp for pump

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Pumps for Additional Current Added flow is always recommended in a reef setup. Use a Power Sweep Powerheads, or consider the Wavemaster Pro used with powerheads.

• Hydrometer This important instrument is used to measure the salt concentration (salinity or specific gravity) of the aquarium water. A good economical and accurate choice is the Crystal Sea Hydrometer.			• Synthetic Sea Salt Crystal Sea Marinemix, 50# bag, because of its high quality and repeatable performance, is used for all EPA lab testing studies. Tests have shown this to be a superior aquarium salt.

• Heater Hydor THEO UL Heater 150W			• Grounding the tank Grounding the tank prevents more sensitive species from getting Lateral Line Disease. The origins of this ailment are controversial. A Titanium Grounding Probe eliminates one of the suspected causative agents.

• Substrate 40lbs Choose a CaribSea product. Natural, calcium based substrates are best for saltwater aquariums.			• Fish Food Nutrition is second only to filtration importance. Saltwater fish should be fed 80% frozen foods since these foods most closely match their natural diet.
• Water Conditioner The water must be conditioned and prepped for aiding the slime coating of the fish. Choose Prime or NovAqua, and use with Amquel if chloramines are present in the tap water in the area.			• Do not overfeed the fish. Feed fish only what they will eat in two to three minutes 1-2 times per day. Vary the diet. Different types of frozen foods from Ocean Nutrition and San Francisco Bay with VitaChem dripped on them combined with occasional feedings of OSI foods will ensure the health, longevity and color of your fish. It is important to try and duplicate the foods eaten in the wild.

• Starting Bacteria Culture Use Nitromax Marine or Marine Aquarium Starter. Seeded biological media is sometimes available to speed up the cycling process. Super Porous Filter Media is an excellent media for this purpose.			• Algae Scrubber Deluxe Cleaning Pad Mag-Float 130. cleaning magnet for glass Magical Cleaning Rod 22"
			• Fish Net Fish Catcher Net
			• Thermometer Crystal Sea Thermometer, Floating



• Never underestimate the importance of water testing. Fish trapped in water with even small amounts of ammonia and nitrite can die within hours. Water test on a regular basis and be prepared to act quickly if something goes wrong. Marine Enterprises Marine Master Test Kit, contains accurate testing supplies for pH, ammonia and nitrite. See All Test Kits See All Controllers & Monitors
• Do a 25% water change monthly or a 10% water change twice a month. Remember to dechlorinate the water and adjust it to the same temperature as the aquarium water.
• Always add a high quality dechlorinator anytime tap water is added to the tank. Prime is an excellent product that not only dechlorinates but adds important elements to maintain slime coat integrity and reduce stress. Use Prime, Pro Tech Coat, or NovAqua with Amquel if chloramines are present in the tap water in the area.
• The pH should be 8.2 High quality salt such as Crystal Sea Marinemix has added buffers and with proper water changes, pH should be stable. However, if water changes are being done and pH is a problem, use Marine Buffer by SeaChem. Further information is available on water parameters in the Log Sheet section.

Further Reading:
9. Mixing Saltwater
11. Supplements & Additives
12. Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle