Upgrading 16g Nano to 55g (1 Viewer)

[oguzman]

Hi all,

I was looking to upgrade my 16 gallon nano to a 55g (48x13x20) with a 20g (30x13x13) sump. And was looking for general advice and recommendations for hardware a new life in the upgraded tank! A description of my 16g is below with my questions:

What skimmer should I be looking to fit in a 20g sump? I saw this skimmer on amazon SCA-302 https://www.amazon.com/SCA-302-Protein-Skimmer-SC-Aquariums/dp/B00HLXJ6EU it seems to get pretty good reviews from the online community and is compact. I would like to have a refugium in the 20g as well so having a skimmer with a limited footprint seems ideal.

I'm thinking of getting a 300gph external overflow PF300 maybe? With a 250gph pump (Syncra 1.0). This should be enough flow to give the skimmer time to remove organics I assume.

I want to transfer everything I have in the 16g to the 55g. Meaning I will still have some relatively demanding SPS. Should I purchase another MP10, or can I run my current MP10 to 100% flow and have enough flow for my SPS(For reference I'm running my MP10 at around 60-70% on reefcrest mode)? Going along with this question I plan on stocking mostly LPS on my new 55g addition (it will be roughly inches of space). Please reference the wish list of stocking below! What type of lighting is acceptable? I would like to stick with LED's and the to be honest the chinabox has been great. The only advantage I see to blowing over 400 dollars on a radeon is the ramp cycle. What this groups opinion on lighting?

In terms of fish, I really have no idea how many and what types of fish would be acceptable. I'm open to ideas! Like I said I plan on placing the same livestock from my 16g to the 55g.

Stocking Wish List:
Bubble Tip Nem near the top
I would like some type of photosynthetic gorgonian
Lobo
Scolymia
Fungia
MAYBE a Acanthrophillia or a Bubble coral
More compatible fish would be nice


16G setup
Aquatic Life Protein Skimmer Mini
Jaeger heater ~76F consistent temp
Running a Chinabox ~ 400PAR on the top ledge down to about 100 near the bottom
Wavemaker is a MP10 (Run it up to about 70% strength on Reefcrest)
Kalk Reactor that is hooked up to ATO
10g sump with chaeto
I use a 50/50 mixture of reef crystals and coral life sea salt

Living things in my tank - Mixed Reef
Maxima Clam (very small, it will grow!!)
Rock Nem
Softies Mostly Zoas/Some mushrooms
Some LPS Hammers/Frogspawn/Candycane/Acans/Goniopora
Very Few SPS/Milipora/Pavona/Encrusting Montis/Two Acroporas Verbina and a Strawberry Shortcake ~SPS are doing OK but not great ... I'm kind of pissed that I nuked an awesome Monti and Stylo that I used to have on the top

Occelaris Clown
Tribal Blenny
Royal Gramma
Peppermint shrimp
Cleaner shrimp
CUC ~3-4 scarlet hermits/astreas and

SG ~1.025
Nitrates ~ 5ppm with out carbon dosing 0ppm with Carbon dosing
Phosphates ~ 0ppm
Calcium ~450-470 depends really but its relatively stable
Alk~10-11
Mg~High 1300s to low 1400
PH ~8.3
I dose Reef Energy daily (1mg each) and Fuel once a week (3mg) with strontium (1mg)
I stopped carbon dosing and I do a weekly 3g waterchange

Please forgive the grammatical errors and poor sentence structure! I attached photos of the tank for reference.

 

[Reefahholic]

First of all... nice tank!

You're gonna love the stability a larger water volume brings. Honestly...I wouldn't do a 55. I'll tell you why.

A 55/g has all tempered panels. Can't drill it.

The depth of 13" is ridiculous. 48x13x21


I'd go up slightly to a 75/G from planet aquariums. 48x18x21. That 5 more inches on depth is HUGE!

 

[oguzman]

I appreciate the advice Reefaholic! Thank you. Out of curiosity around how much would the tank and stand cost? Whats the advantage of drilling with a direct overflow over an external overflow?

 

[Reefahholic]

I appreciate the advice Reefaholic! Thank you. Out of curiosity around how much would the tank and stand cost? Whats the advantage of drilling with a direct overflow over an external overflow?

Planet Aquarium tanks:
Rimless 75/G 48x18x21 $375 + tax = $405.94
Rimless 105/G 48x24x21 $530 + tax
*Plastic guarded seams is extra cost* So you don't cut the seams to heck! Highly recommend!


To answer you question, the advantage of drilling is better for long term IMO and a real reef tank should always be drilled and sumped!

It's not reef ready until you drill it! You can have larger drains which is a big advantage. Having a larger drain for more GPH, better start ups, power outages, clogs, etc is all way better than a HOB filter.

Hang on back filters or anything of the like is all for freshwater. Build you a sump and buy an overflow box. If you need help, just ask us...we can all steer you in the right direction for the best equipment, price, and everything specific to your build.