New member and new tank!

[evanz287]

Hello all! Decided to finally stop lurking and make an account. Owning a Green Spotted Puffer, I have decided to take the jump to full marine.

Until now, I've been housing my GSP in a 30 gallon with mid-brackish water.

It will be moving to a 55 gallon tank soon. Things I have already have for the tank are:

Remora pro (the rio 1400 version)
about 30 pounds of base rock
enough coral sand to fill 2 inches

I live in hawaii so getting live rock (at least online) is a pain. Was planning on diving for some live rock. Although the amount i'm allowed to take is fairly little. You guys think I should just get more base rock and wait for the live rock to seed it? I can only take about a gallons worth of LR.

I also have a bottle of bio-spira (enough to treat a 55). I am somewhat confused about using it. Maybe right after I add the LR, I'll add the bio-spira?

Things I have considered were a DIY Aquaclear refugium and a hydor mini powerhead. Do you think these things would help enough to justify the cost?

UPDATE** : Hydro powerheads for flow

[bertie 83]

Ideally you would get 50% lr 50% base pref more in favour of live. From what others say it is well worth the $$$.

[bertie 83]

Sorry was meant to say at least 50% lr pref more

[sevenyearnight]

What island are you on? I grew up on Hawaii in Kailua-Kona.

[evanz287]

Yeah I've read the 50/50 advice but it is very hard for me to acquire that much live rock (without breaking the law of course)

LFS around here are quite pricey. Although the rocks are nice and straight from Molokai. Ordering online is cheap but out of the question due to Hawaii's strict agriculture laws.

As for my equipment, what do you guys think? Was probably going to hook up two whisper 60 filters (nothing in them) just for flow.

[sevenyearnight]

I would skip on the bio spira if you have liverock. It won't hurt, but it's not necessary since the liverock houses the bacteria.
Remora is a good brand I've heard.

[evanz287]

Thanks for the quick response!

So, would the bio-spira be enough to effectively seed my base rock? It'd be perfect if all I needed was bio-spira and base rock. Although this seems too good to be true. Correct me if I'm wrong haha.

[sevenyearnight]

I wouldn't skip the liverock since it has more than just bacteria in it that is beneficial.

[xrayjeeper83]

Ya getting good, cured LR is very important

[evanz287]

Ok message received

As for the flow, do you think that empty HOB filters will be enough? was planning on using two whisper 60 HOB filters for circulation. This is until I buy some Hydor power heads (nanos).

[xrayjeeper83]

those filters work should well.

I would get hydor 425 instead of nano

[I.Puff.Too]

The two HOB's should suffice until you get the Hydors, but not with the LR, as the live rock needs the flow pointed directly at it. (I think) The experts should jump in and take it from here.

[I.Puff.Too]

make sure to get atleast 2 for opposite end's of the tank.

[sevenyearnight]

I say 2 nanos will be sufficient. 55 gallons only hold about 47 gallons and they are not very wide.

[xrayjeeper83]

Ya but I think the 425 would be better and they only cost like 3 bucks more each. My 425 in my 20g seems to be perfect and Im thinking about adding another