Looking for some advice!

[Drew11]

I wish I had joined Reef Central a LONG time ago because there is some very helpful info on here from some very experienced hobbyists.

Here's what I am working with, been up and running for about 10 months:
29 Gallon FOWLR tank
about 25 lbs of LR
Crushed coral substrate
AquaClear 50 HOB filter
Aquatic Life Internal mini skimmer 115

2 occellaris clowns (1 black 1 orange)
Royal Gramma
Purple Pseudo (I know, shouldn't have got him with the gramma... mistake by someone from my LFS, and me for not researching)
Small Blue Hippo Tang (Probably another mistake for my experience and tank:headwally
also 4 astrea snails

*Sorry I don't have any water parameters... I just shoot up to my LFS and they test it for free, but I did just order an API Master Test Kit for convenience and I think its long overdue.

So here are my questions:
1. I have a AquaClear 70 filter that was on my girlfriends old Freshwater tank. Should I replace my AquaClear 50 with that? Soak it in part vinegar part RO water?

2. Diatoms... used conditioned tap water (another mistake, saving up for an RO/DI unit. For now I buy RO water by the gallon) I just bought some ChemiPure Elite because I was told at my LFS that it helps remove silicates. Do I replace that with the carbon? or do I run them both?

Thanks! Also feel free to voice any constructive criticism to help me out... I will be upgrading to either a 55 or 75 gallon tank in the Spring or early Summer... with a sump/refug. Want another shot to do it the right way!

 

[FTDelta]

ditch the filter when you already have a skimmer or upgrade to a better skimmer. Add more LR - this is your biological filter.

Blue tang needs to go for they need tanks at least 150 gallons or more. Trade in for credit for a suitable fish for 29G tank.

 

[Drew11]

So is the filter not doing anything beneficial? I will also be adding more LR soon. If I have no HOB filter will that require more frequent water changes? Typically I do about a 20% water change every 3 weeks.
I also want to try and get rid of some of these diatoms, but I read something that once the silicates are in there you will never really get all of them out... is it a lost cause and something I will have to live with?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

diatoms should pass. You are correct- their growth is fueled by silicates. Herbivorous snails eat diatoms.

get your own test kits:

MUST be able to accuartely measure the density of your water. Refractometer or 16" temp corrected glass float hydrometer!

MUST be able to know temperature of the water!

MUST monitor alkalinity, calcium, pH and magnesium.

GET REAL LIVE GOOD QUALITY LIVEROCK

hey Drew- there's an upstate reef society in the club forum you're welcome to join it. GOOD LUCK!

 

[Denbf58]

you can use the hob filters as a place to run chemipure and carbon.as long as you clean then on regular basis they will not cause any issues [welcome]

 

[Drew11]

Thanks everyone for the help/info/welcoming. I'll run my filter with the ChemiPure in it for a little bit to see if that helps at all.
My master test kit should arrive this week.
I have a hydrometer but I guess those can be inaccurate so I'll probably go with a refractometer soon.

As far as the REAL live rock goes... I get Live Rock from my LFS that they make??? I believe that's what they told me. I asked them which one would be better and they said "their" live rock because it doesn't come with any surprises in it.
What would you guys recommend for Live Rock?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

What would you guys recommend for Live Rock?

real stuff from the ocean.

Caveat emptor