n00b alert!.. 54G sump-less setup..

[marie]

I don't have any experience with t5 lighting but while I think that its fine for now when the tank is cycling your probably going to need more then that in the future even if all you want to have is mushrooms

[Renegade]

To be honest, plan to invest right from the beginning. I went with a 45g sump less to start and well biggest mistake for me was not making the investment in the beginning and buying the "affordable" (cheap) stuff. Eventually i upgraded b/c the tank was a right off without a complete over-hall of the equipment. If your trying to budget thats totally kool i know where your coming from but with that being said. Everyone will always tell you that things will work but the won't in everyones case. I'm a firm believer in what you put into it is what your going to get out of it. I would plan for more light perhaps a MH or another set of T5's for actinic's. Also Save your self the hassle and get a good skimmer to start. Yes it can be done without but every time you want "that" fish your not going to be able to because of the bio-load is too high. Or if you like me doing a water change every week like clockwork is not going to happen that impractical thinking for myself anyways. Anyways Just my two cents. Even if its a slow "build" process to get the good stuff your not going to have to spend the money later to upgrade.

Kyle

[JDigital]

Originally Posted by Renegade

To be honest, plan to invest right from the beginning. I went with a 45g sump less to start and well biggest mistake for me was not making the investment in the beginning and buying the "affordable" (cheap) stuff. Eventually i upgraded b/c the tank was a right off without a complete over-hall of the equipment. If your trying to budget thats totally kool i know where your coming from but with that being said. Everyone will always tell you that things will work but the won't in everyones case. I'm a firm believer in what you put into it is what your going to get out of it. I would plan for more light perhaps a MH or another set of T5's for actinic's. Also Save your self the hassle and get a good skimmer to start. Yes it can be done without but every time you want "that" fish your not going to be able to because of the bio-load is too high. Or if you like me doing a water change every week like clockwork is not going to happen that impractical thinking for myself anyways. Anyways Just my two cents. Even if its a slow "build" process to get the good stuff your not going to have to spend the money later to upgrade.

Kyle

Thanks Kyle! I definitely don't plan to cheap out... I went and got some Koralia 3's today for flow. I'm fairly happy with them so far, I think they are more than enough for my tank.

Any recommendations for a skimmer? This will be a slow build. LR won't be going in for at least another 2-3 weeks.

[Renegade]

as a hang on not too sure obviously moneys going to play a factor. I do suggest doubling whatever the recommended tank size is unless its a name brand like deltec. For a hang on filter one of your best investments will be an auto-top off. You may not think its important and yes you can add water ever day. But think of what it does to the skimmer with the water level always changing. The skimmer will not be consistent and be working harder/easier depending on where the water level is. Essentially the skimmer may work better at night when you top off the tank compared to the next evening when its time to fill up again. Now forget to do it for a day. I know an "inch" doesn't seem like much but its the little things that add up. Anyways just my experience.

Kyle