Just a couple of questions:

A

arsmitty86

New member
Hello,
I've just introduced myself in the intro thread but was wanting some input on what I've decided on so far. After a lot of research I've determined that I'm not going to start with a reef as it's a little more then I initially want to get involved in until I have more experience. I've decided that FOWLR will be my starting point. I'm still needing to get all the pieces but I bought my tank yesterday (29 gallon glass) after picking out where I wanted it to go. Still waiting on stand and the below is what I'm thinking about doing.

The fish and inverts I ultimately want are these starting with the clown:

1 Percula Clown fish

2 Green Chromis

1 Flame Angel (Last)

2 Skunk cleaner shrimp

I would like to possibly add a pink bubble tip later on once I have more to spend on lights.

The gear I've selected is as follows but hasn't been ordered yet:


~ 30-40lbs of Fiji Cured live rock

Red Sea Prizm Protein Skimmer

2 Maxi 900 power heads

Master test kit (I'll probably wind up buying a digital pH meter)

Instant ocean hydrometer (hoping this will work because I don't REALLY want to spend the money on a refractometer)

I need to know a couple of things:

Is the above a good set of choices for a 29 gallon tank? Are the live stock choices ok or should i think about changing them? What kind of heater do you all recommend and what are good sands to look at for substrate?
 
What are you going to use for filtration? A sump? or a HOB filter? The fish seem fine! You want to go with 2 smaller heaters instead of 1 big 1. but with a 29 gallon you will do fine with one!
 
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I was under the impression that the HOB skimmer and Live rock was all I would need for filtration based on what I've been reading. Is this incorrect? If so what would you recommend?
 
That stock list is fine, although I'd switch the numbers for the clowns and chromis.

The equipment is meh. Not the greatest, but definitely not the worst. One word of advice...you gotta get the refractometer, it really is a necessity IMO. Nobody wants to spend the money on anything we do in this hobby, but you gotta get it through your head early that you're going to spend more than you planned, guaranteed. Take your original budget and double it, that should give you somewhat of an idea of what you're going to spend initially.

Also, Ehiem-Jager heaters are one of the best choices.

Good luck with everything.

EDIT: To above, you are right. With the LR and skimmer you really won't need any other filtration if you don't plan on running a sump. The only reason a HOB filter would be beneficial would be to run carbon/gfo.
 
Cool

Cool

Alright, well I'll look into those filters. What kind of power heads would you recommend? The skimmer seems to get pretty decent reviews which is why I chose it. Is there something better you recommend. Cars and guns are other hobbies of mine as well as guitars so I'm used to the "spending more then you plan" effect and am ok with it. Actually looking at the prices I'm ok with spending the money on the refractometer. I was under the impression that they were ungodly expensive and provided little benefit over a hydrometer in a FOWLR tank. :-) Any reason for switching clown/chromis numbers? I thought that chromis liked to be in groups? Again thanks for input.

Also its been a while: Whats the rule for sizing heaters?
 
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Koralias. For your tank, Get 2 Koralia 1's. ~$25 each. What skimmer are you using? Missed your first post but a Remora or Remora pro would work wonders on your tank :) Refracto = $45 Worthwhile for sure.



arsmitty86 said:
Alright, well I'll look into those filters. What kind of power heads would you recommend? The skimmer seems to get pretty decent reviews which is why I chose it. Is there something better you recommend. Cars and guns are other hobbies of mine as well as guitaRrs so I'm used to the "spending more then you plan" effect and am ok with it. Actually looking at the prices I'm ok with spending the money on the refractometer. I was under the impression that they were ungodly expensive and provided little benefit over a hydrometer in a FOWLR tank. :-) Any reason for switching clown/chromis numbers? I thought that chromis liked to be in groups? Again thanks for input.
Click to expand...
 
Another thing - If adding a BTA, you need a fairly strong light. Not sure if I saw anything about a light fixture but your run of the mill fluorescent tubes won't work. PC's might be ok depending on where in the tank you put the BTA and how high your rock scape goes. In your situation, T5's would be ideal. Not that I'm saying you're going to end up with corals or anything but ReefCentral... :D You think it'll be FOWLR...But then you'll add one thing and it's a snowball effect from there. Trust me ;)

Whatever you do, the key is going to be do it slowly and don't overfeed.
 
Oh, and pair the clown - Ditch the chromis. They get boring and there are much mroe colorful/exotic looking fish out there to be had. Look into an Orchid Dottyback. Not to be confused with a purple dotttyback. Pseudochromis fridmani is the one you want!!! :)
 
Also, to catch1. I'm holding off for now on the BTA but will add later once I get the tank stabilized for a few months. At that time I was going to upgrade to T5's based on reading.
 
arsmitty86 said:
Ok. Korialas aren't too badly priced and seem to be popular. The skimmer I've found is this one http://www.amazon.com/Red-Sea-Delux...TF8&coliid=I2XVPIT7Y9DLAB&colid=2JPSYHVZI298O

Red Sea Prizm. People seem to like it for the price, but I'm open to the idea of spending more on the Aqua C. The thing I like about the Prizm is its "all in oneness" If I buy the remora what do I need to go with it?
Click to expand...



Koralias from amazon FTW. Cheapest you'll find thought the prices fluctuate.

The Remora should come with a Maxi-Jet 1200 and there's a prefilter attachment which isn't necessary but will aid in surface skimming. These skimmers pull a ton of junk from the water. Usually $80 here on RC.
 
Korollas are great.

Defiantly get 2 clown and 1 cromis.

Filtration with rocks is fine. Just dont expect pristine water conditions. I have run tanks with power heads only. You can do it with regular water changes. Weekly. Dont slack on the changes or you will regret it.

Skimmers are good. You may want to add a sump to house all of your stuff, heater, skimmer, auto top off... It makes life easier and looks better.
 
arsmitty86 said:
Also, to catch1. I'm holding off for now on the BTA but will add later once I get the tank stabilized for a few months. At that time I was going to upgrade to T5's based on reading.
Click to expand...



BTAs are super hardy. Well...Ok...Change that. USUALLY. They should be fine under PC's. What lights do you have now? I wouldn't upgrade to T5 unless I had to. If you notice your nem 'reaching' for light...Like a lot. 4-5" extention from the base, then you know it's not getting enough light.
 
arsmitty86 said:
ooh me and the wife like the Orchid dotty back more then the chromis too. :-)
Click to expand...



YUP! Don't get chromis...
ORA Orchid Dottybacks are awesome. If at a store, make sure you're getting this and not the Purple Dottyback. Purple's are MEAN. And whatever a store tells you, don't get a sixline wrasse.
 
Oh I'd certainly like to add a sump later but that will be an eventually thing. The light's I have right now are regular florescent which from what I understand will be fine for the rock but that's about it. The BTA is last on the list because of this because i want to get in the groove of just the fish and inverts right now. Coming from freshwater I don't want to try too much at first.
 
arsmitty86 said:
Oh I'd certainly like to add a sump later but that will be an eventually thing. The light's I have right now are regular florescent which from what I understand will be fine for the rock but that's about it. The BTA is last on the list because of this because i want to get in the groove of just the fish and inverts right now. Coming from freshwater I don't want to try too much at first.
Click to expand...


Good man. :) Enjoy the fridmani (small pellets and mysis)
 
Thats another thing that I'm unclear on. I still have more reading to do. But from the research and compatability stuff I don't quite understand feeding. With a cichlid tank it was easy. Cichlid food. With this mixture I'll be doing two to three types of food right? Sorry if it sounds noobish but just a point to some good reading about feeding would be great. Same kind of thing with temp and specific gravity. All of the species I've looked at have slightly different preferences which I assume like freshwater I choose a happy medium? It's going to be a few weeks before the tank is setup and cycled etc. Which reminds me, I was going to try and use bio-spira to cylce the tank quicker and have less dieoff from the LR. Is this a good thing? Anybody have experience with it?
 
arsmitty86 said:
Thats another thing that I'm unclear on. I still have more reading to do. But from the research and compatability stuff I don't quite understand feeding. With a cichlid tank it was easy. Cichlid food. With this mixture I'll be doing two to three types of food right? Sorry if it sounds noobish but just a point to some good reading about feeding would be great. Same kind of thing with temp and specific gravity. All of the species I've looked at have slightly different preferences which I assume like freshwater I choose a happy medium? It's going to be a few weeks before the tank is setup and cycled etc. Which reminds me, I was going to try and use bio-spira to cylce the tank quicker and have less dieoff from the LR. Is this a good thing? Anybody have experience with it?
Click to expand...



Don't apologize. The community is here to help :) You lucked out on a slow day at work for me lol.

1. Food. Very important to fish health. Variety is key. I can't emphasize that enough. You COULD feed your fish flakes. Just one type and they'll survive. But equate that to only eating potato chips. The ONLY pellet or dry food I recommend is New Life Spectrum Thera A+ w/ garlic. That is the only only one. Well.......Formula 1 and Formula 2 are OK. I would highly recommend NLS and mysis as diet. Rod's Food is awesome if available in your area. Truly Awesome. $$ but awesome. :)

2. SG - I aim for 1.024. 1.026 is natural seawater (NSW) But I think it's better to be too low than too high. Evaporation will cause the SG to rise if you forget to top off for a week... It happens. ;) 77*F is a good target as well.

3. Bio-Spira. Well, it works. I think... But IMO it's oen of the biggest gimmicks out there. IF your LR is already cured and is truly live...No need. Just add your fish slowly and keep checking for nitrates and ammonia. Live sand will also be key. Don't use 'used' live sand. I'd get bio-activ aroganite? Carib-Sea comes to mind. Avoid crushed coral...Traps detritus more readily than sand. If you have a LFS or a reefing buddy, ask them for a cup of their sand. That will kick off your tank.

**You'll know the rock is live/cured if it smells like normal saltwater. If it smells ransid/rotten eggs/dead algae...don't buy it.
 
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