29 Gal SPS Build Thread

Jackwkahn

Jackwkahn

New member
I've got a 29 gal biocube with a 150w MH fixture and an mp10es. I want the tank to be 100% sps, barebottom (sand annoys me and i like the suspended look of barebottom tanks), and simple.

For fish I was thinking of a six-line wrasse for pest control

I want just a few pieces of rock. I was thinking of leaving the MH on for 6 hrs/day

1. Do I need a skimmer with this bioload (comes with a crappy airstone skimmer)
2. What kind of chemical filtration would you recommend?
3. Should I implement the refugium chamber with chaeto?
4. Does a 5 gal weekly water change with reef crystals sound good?

I also have the option of just plumbing the biocube to my 40 breeder, which isn't doing so well coral-wise atm. Would this be a better option (assuming I get the 40's params more stable beforehand) than having the biocube as a separate system? please share your thoughts and opinions
 
1- A skimmer is never a bad thing. If you are religious with water changes and a low bioload you may be able to get by without.
2- by chemical I'm assuming you mean something like GFO? GFO and Purigen are good for phosphate and nitrate control
3- unless you are going to plumb a sump to it, you will have to choose between skimmer or chaeto
4- Weekly water changes are good, but make sure you are still testing your water often. Are you expecting the water changes to replenish ALK and such? or just referring to nutrient export?
 
Jackwkahn said:
For fish I was thinking of a six-line wrasse for pest control

1. Do I need a skimmer with this bioload (comes with a crappy airstone skimmer)
2. What kind of chemical filtration would you recommend?
3. Should I implement the refugium chamber with chaeto?
4. Does a 5 gal weekly water change with reef crystals sound good?
Click to expand...

Six lines are jerks. If its your only fish Id say your fine

1. That Biocube skimmer is crap. Do without and keep up on water changes or get a Aquaticlife 115 or Hydor Nano Skim
2. I wouldnt depend on chemical filtration until your tank is setup. Each tank is different
3. If you plan on doing SPS, then yes a fuge could be beneficial
4. 5 gallon water changes is about 25% so yes that would work.
 
the water changes are just really for stability, trace element replacement, and nutrient export. I was thinking of doing kalk in my ATO until i start getting a higher calcium demand, then ill switch to 2 part
 
Jackwkahn said:
besides- is a refugium actually capable of making a serious dent in the nightly ph swing?
Click to expand...

at the size its going to be, not really.
I personally would get a skimmer. I now run a Tunze9002 in mine. I started with chaeto in the center chamber, it did help with nutrient export; but not enough to not do weekly water changes.
 
also- don't get me wrong, I'm a huge believer in powerful skimming, I'm just a little reluctant to buy something so suited for a nano tank when I can buy a real skimmer like the bubble magus NAC3+ for the same price. Only thing is that bubble magus isn't going to fit in my biocube. lol
 
Jackwkahn said:
also- don't get me wrong, I'm a huge believer in powerful skimming, I'm just a little reluctant to buy something so suited for a nano tank when I can buy a real skimmer like the bubble magus NAC3+ for the same price. Only thing is that bubble magus isn't going to fit in my biocube. lol
Click to expand...

That is why i went with the Tunze, it does a pretty good job. I tried some others like the AquaticLife, and I didn't think much of it. Once you start skimmer you likely need some ATO (or just be real diligent). The BC doesn't have much of an evap issue by itself but, but the skimmer starts taking some water out, and at least mine seems pretty sensitive to water level.
For the Tunze i also ordered the aftermarket/specially made collection lid so that the top of the chambers could completely close.
I have GFO and Purigen in the chamber with the skimmer.
 
Do you have the HQI or the standard? The metal halide on mine gets things pretty hot so its going to be 100% open top, and am ordering a diy ATO from the get go because of the evaporation that will ensue.
 
Jackwkahn said:
Do you have the HQI or the standard? The metal halide on mine gets things pretty hot so its going to be 100% open top, and am ordering a diy ATO from the get go because of the evaporation that will ensue.
Click to expand...

Mine was a standard. I gutted the lid and replaced all the CF's with LEDs.
 
I was told that it would be a good idea to add a chromis or two along with the wrasse, even though I will be without a skimmer (something about SPS loving fish poop). Is this Wise? I've decided on relying on reputable chemical filtration because of how cost-effective and practical it is for a nano system. I plan on running Purigen, Chemipure, and Phosguard in media bags in the back chamber of the biocube. Will this along with weekly 15% water changes (reef crystals salt) be enough to support this bioload? (Six Line Wrasse and Blue-Green Chromis)
 
Nitrates will be tough to control in a bare bottm tank with no skimmer and little rock, even with a low bioload, based on my experience and knowledge gained. I always went much larger than needed with a skimmer run bb tanks. I believe the idea was to skim wet with a larger powerful skimmer to pull suspended matter before it had a chance to break down. You can also siphon all settling detritus when doing a water change. Not trying to say it wont work, just need to utilize more biology if you decide not to run a skimmer, with a huge commitment to weekly, larger than normal water changes, good luck with your tank...
 
so your answer to my question is that it would be a better idea to stick to 1 fish (sixline wrasse). I did plan on siphoning out the bottom, and I am looking into making a DIY cocurrent PVC skimmer. Purigen also is supposed to remove nitrates, I'll have to see about that.
 
and please don't get me wrong, I know how important strong skimming is in an SPS tank, My whole issue is buying a nano skimmer when I can get a real skimmer for the same price. That is why I'm fishing for ways to get buy without one.
 
you can more than one fish, you just need to export the nutrients.
Yes fish waste is coral food.
Btw: never known a 6-line is not that good of pest remover, might try a yellow wrasse.

did you see the diy skimmer using essentially a plastic water bottle?
 
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