29g setup

Korrine said:
Alk 6.0 or 2.24
Click to expand...

You don't have units here. If I remember right, Alkalinity (or carbonate hardness) is measured in either dKH (German for degrees of Karbonate Hardness) or meq/L (milliequivalents per liter). The carbonate ion is CO3 which interchanges with CO2 in water. You might have seen it written as a part of the mineral calcium carbonate (CaCO3) which is part of a lot of what makes up sea creatures. Their shells and the like.

You might want to go with a 2 part additive which is mostly calcium in one bottle and mostly bicarbonate in the other. This will help you control calcium, Alkalinity, pH and other things. The reason there is two bottles is because if in the same bottle, the two parts would combine into one molecule at such concentrations. Pouring the individuals in the tank keeps them separated with a volume of water (while in the tank). This way the separate halves can then be absorbed by corals and the like.

HTH
 
The units you stated are exactly what they are. I just posted both of them. I'm going to add some baking soda slowly and am probably going to use a 2 part recommended by a lrc member.

2.24 meq/L and 6dKh

I just added 1/8 tsp of baking soda. I'll check it in the morning.

When I get it balanced, I was going to use this.

http://www.marinedepot.com/Kent_Marine_Nano_Reef_Parts_A_B_8oz_each_Two_Part_Calcium_Alkalinity_Additives_Supplements-Kent_Marine-KM3521-FIADTP-vi.html
 
Interesting. I haven't read that before :)

I re-did the test due to the advice from a few different people and got 1350 this time :)

lol guess I messed up the first time.
 
Goodwin9 said:
A Kole tang in a 29 gallon tank is not a good idea in my opinion. I would recommend trying a Lettuce Sea Slug (Nudibranch). They aren't very expensive and have done well for me over the years in keeping hair algae in check.
Click to expand...

I agree the Tang is a bad idea. I would also try the slug. They are pretty cool to watch and are pretty hardy.
 
I tested my water for Alk before I did the water change and it was 2.86 meq/L.

The water change water (Reef Crystals) mixed at 1.026 was 3.43 meq/L.

I changed about 4 gallons of water this time. The results of my tank after the water change are 3.09 meq/L.



As far as CUC, I think I'm going to order some of this recommendation in a couple weeks:

25 Dwarf Ceriths - tiny, but effective cleaners
13 Nassarius
9 Florida Ceriths
1 Chiton
4 Limpets
10 Small to medium Nerites

At this point I know I'll skip the Nassarius and maybe 12 of the dwarf ceriths.
 
Ok, I'm trying to peice things together for when I add a sump. It will be a 10g sump.

I will have a lifereef overflow using the nano-prefilter overflow.

http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html

Looking at a Mag Drive 3 for the return. Will use flex tubing to water to and from the sump.
http://www.marinedepot.com/powerheads_pumps_danner_mag_drive_supreme-ap.html

I want to get a different skimmer also. I was contemplating putting a fuge on one end and the skimmer on the other with the return in the middle chamber. I could split the overflow to control flow to the fuge. I don't know if that's really worth it for a little 10g sump w/a 29g DT.
 
I've been there lots of times :)

Going to do the skimmer on the left followed by 3 baffles, return section followed by 1 baffle and then a small fuge :)

I think I've decided I want to go with the Tunze for the skimmer. Less footprint than the Octopus, but seems to do well.

I have an overflow box...now to clean that 10g and get some baffles going...
 
Last edited:
Thought my candy cane had been looking a little shriveled the last week or so. Could be from having semi-low Alk every now and then to not getting spot fed. I woke up @4am and couldn't sleep so I set my vortech on feed mode and dropped some mysis over it. Looks like the big head is the only one that caught anything.

004-6.jpg
 
I saw my yellow rose goby earlier today. He's way in the back on the right side. The only way I saw him was the reflection in the glass. I dropped a couple pellets back there and saw him eat!!! YAY!! Grabbed the camera for a pic of him, but then the nassarius snails and hermit crabs went back there to find the food I dropped in. He wouldn't come out. Due to the location, it would've been a horrible picture anyway.

I suspect the shrimp is back there too. Looks like the sand has been moved a bit.
 
cherubfish pair said:
Well if your p. shrimp is like mine was, it'll snap its claw to let you know it's there on occasion.
Click to expand...

The only time I ever heard it was when I netted it to plop it in the tank. Otherwise I don't hear it. Just see sand that was moved about and once in awhile I see the shrimp.



I'm changing my mind on a few things. Just bought this to add an overflow:

http://www.glass-holes.com/Super-Nano-con-Dientes-Overflow-Kit-nanodienteskit.htm

Am getting a Mag Drive 2 return pump and the Tunze skimmer.
 
I would buy the loc line return kit also. It'll keep you from putting the return over-the-top, which will restrict you on your anti-carpet surfing lids. Especially important if you have eels.

You also have to plan for sump volume when the pump goes off. I screwed up on this with my sump. When you turn off your return pump, water will still go over the overflow for awhile.
 
Thanks :)

I won't have an eel in this tank. It's just my reef fish :) I already have my baffles cut. Need to glue them and then do the test. I'm thinking I can just cut "teeth" in them if they are too tall. They're not glass, but Plexiglas. I hope that'd make it easier. I also need to figure out which height I want to drill my hole at. Big difference on how long water will continue to flow also. Sooo much planning involved!!!

I also plan on having my return just a tad below the water line to reduce the amount of back siphon from that way.
 
I actually tore it down and sold the livestock. We're selling the house. I'm saving all the pieces and will set it back up after we move.
 
oh bummer. I remember reading your first post about this tank. Was your starfish still alive when you tore down the tank?
 
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