My First Marine Tank Orca 550

[marinenooby]

Hello all. i already see that there are loads of posts of people starting with this tank, and after doing lots of reasearch i have decided this is the tank for me. My intention is to try and keep this tank with all of the pieces (heater, protein filter, etc) as possible. i hav already read that it is wise to replace the hula hoops with live rock and thats fine, and to have plenty of live rock in the tank aswell. from what ive gathered its pretty much necessary to have an additional powerhead too. ive found somewhere which sells ready made saltwater which im going to buy. what else am i going to have to buy? any help wud b muchly appreciated

 

[steelhealr]

You've found a great forum with great members. Start here:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/286587-marine-nano-aquarium-resource-centre/

Planning is the most important first step to having a successful nano reef. Patience, reading and research are the main keys.

Have fun.

SH

 

[seffieuk]

MB nice to have you onboard

You have chosen well for a first marine tank, but then of course I would say that as it's the tank I started on - if you have the patience to wade through my journel you will get a good idea of what you need. But to start with:

Extra powerhead - take a look at the koralias
Aragonite sand - not the stuff that is advertised as 'live'
good magnet cleaner
syphon
test kits - look at salifert
Live rock

remove noodles (hulu hoops ) and add:

Rowaphos - a phosphate remover and Live rock rubble

good luck

Seffie x

 

[CoMan]

Hi and welcome

I'm also getting started with the 550 and the people on hear are very friendly and knowledgable. I'm learning loads everyday, it's a great hobby. What Sort of live stock are you thinking of?

CoMan

 

[marinenooby]

Seffie- thanks very much for this information, this is exactly wot i needed to hear, instead of going thru and hoping i got it right, having someone tell me the equipment i need is very useful.

Coman- im thinking of just keeping it simple, couple of clowns, blue tang and a gobby, then of course sum crabs / shrimp, depending on what i can get hold of. i wanna get some corals too, but i havent done ne research into that yet. ill do that once ive got the tank setup and see if i can get hold of ne that will b ok in my tank.

ive gotta wait to move out first though as im getting a new flat, so im desperately hoping they sort it out quickly as ive already applied for one. ive got a tropical tank to set up aswell so im gonna b real busy.

 

[seffieuk]

Sounds like you are going to be very busy

Your stock list is good so far apart from the tang - bad news i'm afraid, the tank is too small

Bombard us with questions, we love watching a new tank come to life

Seffie x

 

[marinenooby]

ah fair do's about the tang, still im sure ill find something else to substitute for it. ive had a look in the shop thats close to me, and i reckon it shudnt cost as much as i had first thought to set it up. so with the orca tank, are there a reasonable range of corals available? i really want some but ive read all about the lighting and wonder how restrictive it is as the tank only has a basic light setup. Ooooo and also how much do u pay for liverock? the place ive found is £9 per kilo, is this reasonable?

 

[rhi26]

I paid £10.95 per kg so sounds good also wanted to add I have the TL550 and have kept it stock but there is a BUT we are getting a new power head as the stock one is crap also we are getting a new skimmer as ours is not great so we are upgrading to a WG310 which is made by orca/boyu and I believe they are stock in the new tanks so if I were you id check to see if it comes with this skimmer but enjoy Its great fun

 

[seffieuk]

I kept softies and a few euphyllias in my 550 - they all grew really well

Seffie x

 

[marinenooby]

ah cool, so £9 a kilo is pretty reasonable. thats good to kno. yeh ill b buying a brand new tank so may get the new skimmer if im lucky . thanks for the advice on corals. im getting really excited about setting this up now. just need dam estate angent to hurry his #14### up

 

[seffieuk]

Whilst you are waiting you can look around for a reefer breaking down a tank - then store the rock in a vat or the like with a powerhead and heater. You can pick up Live rock from about £5 a kilo that way and its more likely to have good hitchhikers etc

Seffie x

ps gives you something to do whilst waiting for those beep agents!!

 

[marinenooby]

ah thats a good idea, ill have to have a look and see if i can find anyone. I checked out prices for the 550, and found what i thought was one for £190 on ebay, but was gutted to find out it didnt come with any of the equipment, was just the tank. ah wel, just have to fork out that little bit extra.

 

[jtnova13]

How many US gallons is a 550?

 

[marinenooby]

i think it works out at 33 us gallons, or 28 uk gallons

 

[CoMan]

ah thats a good idea, ill have to have a look and see if i can find anyone. I checked out prices for the 550, and found what i thought was one for £190 on ebay, but was gutted to find out it didnt come with any of the equipment, was just the tank. ah wel, just have to fork out that little bit extra.

Never mind. I won mine on flee bay for £138. It came with everything including stand. I looked for about 3 months and saw that they go for between £150 to £195. Just hold out and you'll find one I know it!

Good luck