BC 29g nano reef

I

itsboosting

New member
Hi guys, new to the hobby. Recently decided that i've dumped way too much money into my car and wanted to pick up something else that required less money. SW tanks can get expensive, but i figured it should be quite fun for less money compared to my car.

Anyways, i'm picking up my tank tomorrow after work. I'll also be picking up ~30-35 lbs of LR and LS. Will probably run it thru to allow it to cycle for 2-3 weeks before adding any livestock to it.

I've read some DIY's to widen the flow of the chambers in the back, switching out the stock pump for a rio hf6 pump to flow 350gph.

I do have questions however, such as whether or not i should use the stock filter (i think they are called bio balls?) or have something else in place of that. I will post in this thread with plenty of updates/pictures so please bare with me if i have any noob questions as i am extremely new to this.

What should my water parameters read to be "cycled"? Also, from what i've read, i should keep the water temperature around 80? I live in the bay area, ca. Temps here have been roughly around 50-60s for the past week. Any recommendations/tips would be greatly appreciated, Thanks!

:)
-itsboosting
 
Hey Itsboosting,

Welcome to ReefCentral. I got the 14G Biocube and didn't change the filtration. most people recommend taking out the bioballs in exchange for live rock rubble or filter floss. I have no idea about more flow or exchanging the pump so can't answer that. For your cycle, you need to test for Ammonia, then Nitrites and then Nitrates. Once the Ammonia and Nitrites are zero, you can do a water change to lower the Nitrates. Shoot for about 78 instead of 80, but 80 would be fine if it got up there. Where are you getting your rock?
 
Captain Amazing,

Thanks for the help, much appreciated!A friend of mine told me about a place that's moving soon, and is having a sale on LR for 2 dollars a lb. Fiji rock. Also sand is ~50 cents a lb.
 
Aquarium Concepts is moving to Dublin. Is that the place you're getting the rock from? I'm very excited for when they open. I make sure to drive by when I'm in that area.
 
Captain amazing,

I actually purchased the rock from a LFS and did not end up going to the place in hayward. LR was 4.50 lb, and i ended up with 26lbs.





got some updates. First off, got the tank set up on friday last week. The pictures were taken today and i noticed something on the LR that wasn't there initially. Can someone please inform me on what it is? I've circled it in 2 of the close up pictures, any help is appreciated. Thanks!

DSC02814.jpg


DSC02813.jpg


DSC02812.jpg


DSC02811.jpg
 
i would say its a type of coraline algae but im not sure...also is there any way to put the heater you have in the back compartments...it would make it look a lot better
 
GobyJohnKenobi,

thanks a lot! they sure do in fact look like those after inspection this morning right before work. I also noticed that more have popped up on the rocks since the pictures were taken.
 
I've moved the heater to the back, chamber 1. removed the false floor and also removed the bioballs in the 2nd chamber and i'm using a charcoal panel filter right beneath the plastic tray that comes with the kit. I added some filter floss that my friend gave me today and i'm awaiting for my shipment of LR since i ordered 10 more lbs the other day.


Does anyone have any recommendations on lighting? i really want to swap out the 36 w 50/50 that the kit comes with as i'm hearing that it's only "okay" lighting and limits my corals. This tank is mainly going to be for corals so i'm trying to see what my options are. Any help is appreciated!!
 
u can go to nanotuners for light upgrades. also u can go a different route and get a mh system. i have the current orbit 150w mh and 4 t-5's 24w on my 29bc. but i am into sps and clams. just a thought though.
 
i hear of alot of people using the sunpod and they r a great light. but i like to substitute other lighting into it also for a total day cycle and night cycle with the moon lights. mine was like 100 extra over the sunpod but it came with the 150w mh with the t-5's also with the moon lights. it is the current orbit 150mh w t-5's. you can find them in alot of places. thats just my 2 cents but what my fiance tells me it is made worth a penny. :D good luck and if you do go with the sunpod you might eant to get the 14k pheonix bulb or even go with a 20k if you want more blue in the color or more color from your corals.:) mine is also open top and you can c it under my little red house. on my name.
 
Souleman,

Thanks for the help! i'll definitely look into the available choices. I checked out your tank, it's very nice! you sure love clams dont you haha.
 
and i also have a wrx with the rotated mount gt35r and supporting mods. as i see you have one on your comments. that is my other hobby. i will have to get a pic for you.
:D
 
excellent car. i have to get some pics of mine on my new computer so i will get you some. i am on wrxtuners.com same screen name
 
Starting to notice some sort of pods crawling all over my rocks tonight. Got my water parameters tested and everything seems to be doing great so far! Should be adding livestock soon.


I'm also getting some type of green colored things growing on my LR along with the forams.

Should i add a clean up crew, fish, or corals first?

-itsboosting
 
You could always start with a clean up crew first, then with some of the fish and last with the coral cause you want the tank to be very stable before adding the corals.
 
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