29gal Reef Setup After Long Hiatus, Some Questions
- Thread starter Guy W
- Start date
Guy W
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Update 3. Made progress on the tank today. Got some Live Rock, Sand and Water in the tank. The tank is still really cloudy from the sand, as you can see in the picture, but it's clearing up quickly.
I tossed a power filter on the back of the tank to help with clearing up all the fine particulate from the sand. I don't think I'll keep that on the tank long term though, not sure maybe I'll just put a bag of carbon in it or something. I also got a hydor koralia 425gph in there, I'm thinking I could possibly use another one of those.
I started with 40lbs of CaribSea bags of Live Sand, I used the Oolite. It's really fine particles and the particulate in the water column was more than I was expecting, but I like it. Once it settles down I think it will be nice.
Got 30lbs of Live Rock. As you can see in the picture, 30lbs is not nearly enough. I could easily use another 30. It's not aquascaped at all obviously, as I couldn't see anything in the tank with all the sand blown up, but I'll get to that tomorrow.
I tossed a power filter on the back of the tank to help with clearing up all the fine particulate from the sand. I don't think I'll keep that on the tank long term though, not sure maybe I'll just put a bag of carbon in it or something. I also got a hydor koralia 425gph in there, I'm thinking I could possibly use another one of those.
I started with 40lbs of CaribSea bags of Live Sand, I used the Oolite. It's really fine particles and the particulate in the water column was more than I was expecting, but I like it. Once it settles down I think it will be nice.
Got 30lbs of Live Rock. As you can see in the picture, 30lbs is not nearly enough. I could easily use another 30. It's not aquascaped at all obviously, as I couldn't see anything in the tank with all the sand blown up, but I'll get to that tomorrow.
I would aquascape first, then order more rocks later. That looks like a ton of rocks, and once you have it organized you may be able to fill in the tank nicely with what you have.
I would just always try to minimize the amount of rock you have touching the sand bed to prevent dead spots.
I would just always try to minimize the amount of rock you have touching the sand bed to prevent dead spots.
Guy W
New member
I'll defiantly aquascape and see how I feel about it before I go get more. I like a dense rock wall kind of look in regards to aesthetics more than creating little structures with over hands and what not.
Question regarding this 29g.
Aside from a pair of Oscellaris Clownfish I don't know what else I would like to stock, as far as fish. Inverts is another matter ofcourse, but after the clowns assuming I stay with similar sized 2-3" fish, what's the max # of fish I can go with in this setup? I'm guessing a pair of clownfish and maybe 2-3 other fish max? Not sure what else I even want at this point, but I'm guessing I easily think of 1 or 2 more fish I'd like to put in.
Sharkkeeper
Member
i have 2 true percula clowns and a six line wrasse in my 20 long. My six line has tons of personality and I really like the coloration on them as well
Guy W
New member
What order were those added? Just curious! :fun2: No fighting?
Guy W
New member
I put in all cured live rock, live sand, and started the tank with a bottle of bio-spira. I got a .25 reading of ammonia on day 2 and it's been 0 ever since.
mcginnisandrew
New member
That skimmer might be fine for now but I had an Aqua C Remora on a 29 gallon tank for awhile and it was absolute crap, it hardly pulled anything out of the water. I would look into a better skimmer if you can
Guy W
New member
I will probably upgrade to a 65g drilled tank with a sump at some point in 12-18 months. That's what I wanted to do here but finances being what they are I went with something a bit smaller to keep me entertained for a while.
mcginnisandrew
New member
ah i see, well i suppose that skimmer is better than nothing
Charley Diesing
New member
Too much rock IMO... You're going to have Nitrate problems later down the road... Due to dead spots in water flow...
Just my 2 cents...
Just my 2 cents...
Guy W
New member
The tank's been up for 3 weeks now. The water's gotten much clearer, here's an update picture. Can you spot the cleaner shrimp? It's a bit like a game of where's waldo.
Did some tests on water quality in prep for getting started with some corals. Calcium was 440-460, dKH was 8-9. In both cases the test color started to change at the at the first number I've listed but didn't fully change till the 2nd number listed, so I'm not sure exactly where my parameters fall but overall I think those are probably good. Nitrate was undetectable after a 5gal water change (didn't test it first, probably should have).
Overall I'm pretty happy with how it's coming along.
Did some tests on water quality in prep for getting started with some corals. Calcium was 440-460, dKH was 8-9. In both cases the test color started to change at the at the first number I've listed but didn't fully change till the 2nd number listed, so I'm not sure exactly where my parameters fall but overall I think those are probably good. Nitrate was undetectable after a 5gal water change (didn't test it first, probably should have).
Overall I'm pretty happy with how it's coming along.
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