New setup and a newb

[lorinzo2002]

Hi. I'm new here. Well ive been on since November 2010 but just now decided to post something. I like to look and not speak. Anyways. I set up a 10 gal tank in november, and it is doing ok. I just recently setup a few frags about a month ago. They are in this 10 gal temporarily untill I get my 29 gal setup the way I like it. Just want some input on some things I can do to make it nicer. I'm not wanting to spend 5 billion dollars on this, so let me tell you what I have and then any (cheap) info to make it better would be appreciated.

It's a 29 gal tank, I have 20 lbs of live rock, 20 lbs of live sand, a heater of course big enough for 40 gals, an marinelands 400 power head, marinelands bio wheel filter, and a 10,000 k florescent bulb. I know I need to add some light to this. It's been up for about a week. nothing in it yet but rock and sand. I will be moving my frags and fish over from the 10 gal asap. I have 2 heads of the green candy cane, 1 red mushroom, Hawaiian feather duster, a brain (not sure if it's open or closed) a star polyp, gonipora (I'm sure this one will die) and a brown zoanthid. I will also move two damsels, and a sand sifting goby. I have about 6 or 7 snails, emarld crab, 1 peppermint shrimp, and 2 hermits that I will NOT be moving, but will buy more to stock the 29gal. Let the bombarding of info begin!!!!!

 

[mikencarol]

OK...you new people tell them about COMAS...it is better that they here it from you because you were recently where lorinzo2002 is now....you SAW all the information and help......

 

[Oklahomareefer]

COMAS is Great! well worth the membership fee. The people are all very helpful and nice. My husband and I are both glad we joined.

Welcome to the forum btw

 

[lorinzo2002]

Well thanks for the "info" I was looking more for ideas and suggestions on setup then a membership to something. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's a great membership, but that's not what I was looking for. I thought this was a forum to discuss stuff like this???

 

[Lytehouse]

Hi Lorinzo,

Welcome to COMAS and RC,

Are you doing any water tests.
Before you put your fish in the 29, I'd want to know it has cycled--
so testing pH, nitritites, nitrates and amonia would be a start.

Putting in a couple of the easier frags, like the star polyp and the zoa should be fine, but I'd wait on the fish.

BTW, what are you using for water?

 

[lorinzo2002]

Hi Lorinzo,

Welcome to COMAS and RC,

Are you doing any water tests.
Before you put your fish in the 29, I'd want to know it has cycled--
so testing pH, nitritites, nitrates and amonia would be a start.

Putting in a couple of the easier frags, like the star polyp and the zoa should be fine, but I'd wait on the fish.

BTW, what are you using for water?

hey, thanks lytehouse, this is more my style. Anyways, it hasn't cycled yet. It's only been up for one week. 1-2 months is about when I'd get ready to start putting stuff in??? As far as my water, it's from the lfs. Wet Pets by steve in norman.

 

[pwhitby]

Welcome to the COMAS forum,

From the sounds of your description, i think light would be your main priority.
In the absence of a skimmer I would also recommend getting into the habit of doing regular water changes. This will really help with your water chemistry.

It sounds like you have enough powerheads/heater- so its just down to cycling and livestock.

Is Steve doing your water testing for you? if so, I would take samples regularly and monitor the nitrite/nitrate to ensure the tank has cycled.

You can also get your water parameters for alkalinity- calcium and Magnesium tested to ensure the water has the proper chemistry. Once you have those values we can advise you on how to raise them to the correct ratios using simple and very cheap reagents as opposed to expensive supplements. If you are on a budget that will really help you out a great deal.

Once the cycle is done, and if you have lights, I would say you are good to go.

Paul.

 

[Lytehouse]

Good people at WP

once you start testing and get paramaters in order,
it will be time to address the lighting.

The bulb you have will grow corals, but will not leave your tank visually very attractive.

Are you looking at T5 lighting, LEd or MH?

 

[lauremf2002]

Welcome! Im afraid your sandsifting goby not have enough to eat. They need very well established tanks to sift food from. Unless, he is eating prepared foods. Then he has a chance. On a separate note, Are your lights t5?

 

[cjilge]

Welcome to the COMAS forum,

From the sounds of your description, i think light would be your main priority.
In the absence of a skimmer I would also recommend getting into the habit of doing regular water changes. This will really help with your water chemistry.

It sounds like you have enough powerheads/heater- so its just down to cycling and livestock.

Is Steve doing your water testing for you? if so, I would take samples regularly and monitor the nitrite/nitrate to ensure the tank has cycled.

You can also get your water parameters for alkalinity- calcium and Magnesium tested to ensure the water has the proper chemistry. Once you have those values we can advise you on how to raise them to the correct ratios using simple and very cheap reagents as opposed to expensive supplements. If you are on a budget that will really help you out a great deal.

Once the cycle is done, and if you have lights, I would say you are good to go.

Paul.

Good advise, down the road maybe a HOB skimmer for long term. nothing crazy check the boards you can find good deals on them pretty often. I would follow Pauls advise on cycle, light, and param's first. you found a good place to ask questions. The club is worth it though! If for no other reason the free frags. wELCOME BY THE wAY!

cHRIS

 

[lorinzo2002]

Thanks guys for all the info. I will be getting a T5 lighting system. one 12000k bulb, and one actinic. I'm not sure what wattage on the bulbs I should get though. What would be the benefit of a skimmer compared to not getting one, and would an hang over the tank style be sufficient? Yes Steve is doing my water tests. I have had him check it twice for me on the 10 gal, and I do tests for PH, Nitrite, nitrate, calcium and salinity weekly. I have not done any tests on the 29 gal yet as I just set it up about a week ago. I will have Steve at WP test before I put anything in.

 

[Lytehouse]

Thanks guys for all the info. I will be getting a T5 lighting system. one 12000k bulb, and one actinic. I'm not sure what wattage on the bulbs I should get though. What would be the benefit of a skimmer compared to not getting one, and would an hang over the tank style be sufficient? Yes Steve is doing my water tests. I have had him check it twice for me on the 10 gal, and I do tests for PH, Nitrite, nitrate, calcium and salinity weekly. I have not done any tests on the 29 gal yet as I just set it up about a week ago. I will have Steve at WP test before I put anything in.

Cleaner water is the benefit.

Higher end corals, especially sps prefer cleaner water.

For a 29, HOB should be fine.

 

[lorinzo2002]

The lfs told me that having an anemone in your reef tank could be bad because they tend to wander and will sting your other corals???? Any words on this? I eventually want to get one.

 

[ghellin]

Yes than can and do wander, and they can sting and kill coral. With that being said I have two and I always added them first and let them find a good home then they stay put. Hope that helps!

 

[Tek]

I have 3 anemones in my display tank and they take over the spot they want to be in. if not they will continue to walk or float themselves. I have had to move corals that were being burned and one more incident from creating a seperate tank for them.

 

[BabyB]

not all will move around. condy anemones are usually the ones that dont like to sit still. but the others will most likely find a spot and stay there.
i have found they dont move unless something changes that they do not like