Research for New 29 Gallon Setup

[NVStan]

I am in the early stages of planning a saltwater aquarium. I will be using a 29 gallon (30 x 12 x 18H) aquarium. My goal with this aquarium would be having a small reef. To start we are going to have a FOWLR and are going to be going slowly in this process.

Things I am looking at getting are:

Filtration
40 "“ 50 pounds of live rock
40 pounds of sand 1.0 "“ 2.0 mm
AquaC Remora Series Protein S HOB Skimmer

Lighting
I am not sure yet as for lighting looking at T5HO 4 -6 bulb 24" and plan on using
4 Bulb setup
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Blue Plus

6 Blub Setup
ATI Blue Plus
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Coral Plus
ATI Aqua Blue Special
ATI Purple Plus
ATI Blue Plus

Any guidance on lighting would be appreciated.

Heaters
2x 50 Watt
I would like to have inline with closed loop to keep things out to the aquarium. (I don't have or cannot get a sump. No room for it.)

Water Flow
Closed Loop system

Thinking about a mag drive 7
2 "“ 4x Zoo Med AquaSweepâ„¢ Rotating Filter Attachment to create random flow in tank.

We were thinking about the livestock as well ( I know I do not have the room in the aquarium for all the fish this is just a wish list.)

Cherub Angel
Black Cap Basslet
Pair Ocellaris Clownfish (Must Have)
Bullet Goby
Yasha Shrimp Goby
Sixline Wrasse

The coral we like are:
Neon Clove Polyps
Several different Zoanthids
Silver Xenia
Green and White Pipe Organ
White Kenya Tree
Sun Polyps
Florescent Tip Torch
Electric Torch
Maze Brain
Kryptonite Candy cane
Metallic Green Wall Hammer
Space Invader Pectinia
Green Bubble Coral

Inverts other than CUC would be
BTA
Cleaner Shrimp
Red Banded Pistol Shrimp

I am still researching all of this stuff and will not be setting up until I get the lighting and needed testing equipment. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Clownfish Chris]

I have a similar set up. I think you are on par with the live rock and sand. I am running a 10 gallon sump under mine so Im not sure why you don't have room for one but it is possible to keep most of what you want (not all at once) with out a sump. I would add a skimmer of some sort to that list to help control nutrients. Also, I would set up the tank, water, filter, and the live rock now. Get a kit for testing nitrate and one for ammonia. Once your nitrate spikes and ammonia tests 0, then your cycle is over and you can bring the skimmer online. Then you can add your CUC. Watch for an ammonia spike. It will happen to some degree. Then you should be safe to add livestock little by little. Your lighting should be fine for all but the most demanding of SPS corals. I did not see anything like that on your list so you should be fine.

As things progress you will want to be able to test for Calcium, PH, and phosphates.

It is also good practice to QT fish before adding them to the tank.

Happy Reefing! :beer:

 

[Clownfish Chris]

I just realized you are from Silver Springs. I grew up in Elko Nevada, so I know rite where you are!

 

[NVStan]

AquaC Remora Series Protein S HOB Skimmer

 

[AdamNC]

30-40Lbs of rock will be fine if you get real porous stuff ( remember things are going to grow out and you will need the room) and 30Lbs of sand will be more the enough. I initially had 40Lbs and had a 3 inch sand bed, 1-2 inches is more ideal. Once you get everything in you'll realize a 12 x 30 foot print is not very much. If I could I'd have done a 40 breeder for the extra 6" on the side and 6" in the front, but didn't think about it at start up.

 

[Clownfish Chris]

Quote:
Originally Posted by NVStan View Post
AquaC Remora Series Protein S HOB Skimmer

:hmm5: I guess I can't read!

 

[jachrist]

I have the same size of tank and have had room for a similar list of things. Big trick is finding rock the right size to fit the tank. Also I went without a skimmer and have 5 fish in the tank and am doing just fine.