Mere weeks from starting the cycle

[Foible]

I got a 29 gallon tank for Christmas and have been doing research ever since. As soon as I get off for spring break in a couple weeks I am going to start cycling my tank. During the next week I am going to start ordering my equipment but I wanted to get some opinions from the experts at the Reef Central Forums first

My tanks diminsions are: 30" x 12" x 18"

HOB Skimmer:
CPR Bak-Pak 2 or AquaC Remora
(I am impressed with the Remora but I have a really, really paranoid friend in the hobby who is convinced you can't successfully keep a reef without a filter/skimmer combo or a filter with the skimmer. Which one would you guys choose?)

Lighting:
30" 2x65 watt currentUSA Power Compact Dual Satellite Fixture
(I am planning on keeping a small amount of soft and mushroom corals and fish wise I have not thought further than a Clown Fish and maybe a BTA depending on how good my tank parameters are in 6 months. If you can think of a better light fixture let me know.)

Questions...
1. A good submersibe heater for 29 gallons?
2. How much circulation do I need? Good brand? How many?
3. I know that having 40lbs of live rock is prefered but can I make this work with 20lbs of base rock and 20lbs of live rock?

I have been looking at www.marinedepot.com for the equipment, http://www.reeferrocks.com/baserock/index.htm for the base rock and my LFS for the live rock.

Thanks in advance for the help

 

[drummereef]

Do the Remora. Works well for smaller tanks. The fixture will work for softies and lps, maybe even a monti. T5's or a halide would allow you to keep anything.

1. I use a Visi-Therm Stealth heater. I like it.
2. I would do a couple of powerheads in the tank. You want at least 20x turnover. I have 30x in my 40g mixed reef.
3. I'd start with 1lb/gallon of live rock. See how it looks and while the tank cycles you can add more. Reeferrocks is nice base rock, btw.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Ok your filter/skimmer. Remora hands down, get the pro if you can afford the few extra $$. you do not need or want a filter, it will only collect nitrates. In a tank with live rock, flow through the rocks is the only filtration you need other than skimming. The rocks and sand will break everything down.
Lights. That is a great light, although may not be enough to keep an anemone. It is a shallow tank though so u may be ok, but definately wait till everything matures. I would go with 4x65 pc. or 2 or 4 ho t5 instead to keep your options open to keep just about anything. Halides will also do this, but personally I am trying to stay away from those for now on, and in that small of a tank you really dont need them.
Heater. I use ebo jagers. Hydors also get great reveiws
Powerheads. Hydor koralias are the latest greatest thing, and I like the looks and design alot. 2 koralia 2 or 3s should be plenty
1/2 base and 1/2 live is a great way to go! You can do the same with live sand, even 25lbs dry and 5lbs live would be great for sand.

Just a little advise for a reefer just starting out. Use ro/di for everything, take your time, and as your doing right now do your research and ask questions! Oh and dont believe a word that comes out of a lfs owners mouth until they have proven to be knowledgeable and trustworthy. After all they are there to make money, and we are not! Have fun, and welcome to reef central.

 

[virginiadiver69]

Welcome to RC
Congrats on taking your time! Seriously...too many others would have that tank stocked with 10 fish by now and asking questions like "Why do my fish keep dieing"
While your tank is cycling you can "fight the urge" by picking up Marine Fishes, a PocketExpert Guide. 500+ aquarium species. I think it is a good idea to put together a stock list. This really helps eliminate those dangerous impulse buys.

 

[Foible]

Thanks for all the fast responses! I have decided on getting the Remora now and I will most probably get the currentUSA light fixture as well. I read that some people remove two of the actinic's and replace them with an additional 2 x 65 watt pc. I have looked at those Koralia's as well but I am most familiar with maxi-jet so I am still torn with which to get. I have also checked out both heaters recommended and they both seem fantastic. I have a 100 watt all glass hydor from a previous freshwater tank, would that work? I hope that with some experiance I will become a valueable member to RC. Thanks