Danny Lueck's 55 Gallon Reef
by Danny Lueck


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Hello WMAS,           

  My First attempt at a salt tank is this 55 Gal.  I have had it up and running for around 9 Months.  I wish I could get all technical and explain all the cool details but, I am not technical.  If it is colorful and “reef safe” I buy it!   I use KENT salt,  B-Ionic supplements, Skimmer,  3 inch sand bed,  2 Super Actinic VHO’s,  2 13000k 250 watt metal halide,  and a  closed loop with a “Squid” for circulation.

  I decided to do a closed loop so I could remove all power heads and help reduce the heat.  The power heads seemed to try and kill animals in my tank.  I lost my 6 month old Mandarin Goby via power head.  My Rose tip anemone all but died as well.  So back to the closed loop.  It cost around $200.00 to make and is very quite and efficient.  The flow from this setup is great!  I think it dropped my temp about 2 degrees. I HIGHLY recommend this method of circulation over the use of powerheads.    I do have a few fish in my 55 they are as follows.  A Purple tang, Mandarin goby, Unicorn Tang, 3 four stripped damsels, a Domino damsel, 2 Adam’s damsels, Coral beauty, 2 Clarks clowns, and 1 King Anthius.

             I do have quite the fish load however everything seems to be going ok for me.  As far as Corals go I have way too many to list.  I am always willing to trade corals and sell frags.  I would at this point like to thank everyone in WMAS.  My tank would never be as beautiful as it is, if not for your kind help and knowledge.  THANK YOU.

             If members have questions I didn’t answer about my setup…. please email me at [email protected]