Round 5: For real this time!

[scumbag_gli]

Hey guys! So I was once a member on this forum awhileee back, I used to have 3 nano tanks. All 3 were 10 gallons, all pretty awesome until one day everything started crashing HARD on all 3 tanks - still to this day have no idea what happened. Got out of the hobby pretty much from disappointment and was bored. So over the weekend the wifey demanded for me to "build something nice for our new home" and so I did.

Re-built and re-stained a cabinet that was a pretty heavy duty stand, re-enforced it added 2 shelves inside, and also some plumbing (have a ready-to-go pump system for a sump and also water change drain). So far what I have done: got everything built and hooked up -TANK SIZE 29 gal - 150w heater set at 79, 30lbs of live sand, premade salt water from the reef store down the street from me. Have the filter currently off so the sand settles down.

So heres my questions...
1. Should I start running the filter? Its an over the back style that pulls from the center of the tank and pumps 500gal/hr back to the top
2. Heater at 79 okay?
3. My light rack I bought only has 112 LED's - 106 white 6 blue - enough? Has night and day setting, or combined. Or should have I bought the 300 LED one?
4. Do I really need a skimmer on a 29? I was going to do something like 5 gal water change 1 time a week.
5. How many other powerheads should I invest in? Besides the 500gal/hr I have now from the filter
6. I did the "dead shrimp" thing last time to spike the cycle, any other cool tricks to get it started?
7. Going to probably buy some LR today after work...thinking about starting with around 40-50 lbs...too much or just enough?

Sorry for all of this, its been awhile since I have done this (since college) so I want to make sure this tank is great and I kinda remember everything LOL

 

[Dozer1one]

I would start running the filter as it will help clear up the water from the substrate

79 is a ill warm for my liking 77 is my magic number.... Others will disagree I'm sure

40/50 lbs of live rock is more than enough, it's completely up to you but know that the more rock you have in your display tank, the more dead spots you will have due to flow restrictions.

You will want at least 1 power head in the tank other than your return line for flow... The more the better. For ex I have a 92 corner tank with a 700 gph return rate 2 mp10 and a small hydor, the way I have all the pumps I have about 30x turnover rate the tank is a mixed reef

Dead shrimp works fine but I always use 6 or so in a mesh bag but that's on much larger tanks

We would need more info on the light, what brand is it? How many watts are each led, what type of LEDs are they, are there optics on them?

 

[Dozer1one]

I'm a little confused as of to what your talking about with your filter.... Is it a sump with a overflow box and return pump to a canister filter or a homade jobby ? Pics would be great

 

[scumbag_gli]

I would start running the filter as it will help clear up the water from the substrate

79 is a ill warm for my liking 77 is my magic number.... Others will disagree I'm sure

40/50 lbs of live rock is more than enough, it's completely up to you but know that the more rock you have in your display tank, the more dead spots you will have due to flow restrictions.

You will want at least 1 power head in the tank other than your return line for flow... The more the better. For ex I have a 92 corner tank with a 700 gph return rate 2 mp10 and a small hydor, the way I have all the pumps I have about 30x turnover rate the tank is a mixed reef

Dead shrimp works fine but I always use 6 or so in a mesh bag but that's on much larger tanks

We would need more info on the light, what brand is it? How many watts are each led, what type of LEDs are they, are there optics on them?

Okay awesome, I was actually thinking more like 77.

I was thinking maybe 2 mini powerheads, 500 each - 1 bottom left corner, 1 top right? combined 1500 gal/hr?

Grabbing info now...

I'm a little confused as of to what your talking about with your filter.... Is it a sump with a overflow box and return pump to a canister filter or a homade jobby ? Pics would be great

I'm at work right now, I grab some tonight. But I am getting the info now...plzhold!

 

[Dozer1one]

That's def a good flow rate just make sure the rock isn't obstructing it maybe place them in the centers of each side with one pointing up and the other down but it really depends on your aqua scape... All in all your off to a good start coming here first. When I started in this hobby I barely even used the internet, this forum would of saved me a lot of money lol

 

[scumbag_gli]

That's def a good flow rate just make sure the rock isn't obstructing it maybe place them in the centers of each side with one pointing up and the other down but it really depends on your aqua scape... All in all your off to a good start coming here first. When I started in this hobby I barely even used the internet, this forum would of saved me a lot of money lol

LOL! Heard that. Okay so its a typcial carbon/poly filter - also has some sort of bio-balls? They were small and white. Let me give you a visual - it hangs on the back of the tank (extends from top to bottom - about half way down is the intake, and at the top is the output of water), but the full box is on the inside of the tank - it houses the heater, filter, bio balls, and plumbing to do water changes.

 

[Dozer1one]

Ok hang on the back sump... It'll work but it's not the greatest, there's usually no room for a skimmer on them which is pretty important, use it for now until you can build or purchase a sump to put down below ( if possible) but loose the bio balls and put livestock rubble in place of it, the bio balls will be a nitrate factory but the use of livestock will up you nitrifying bacteria which is what you want. Too bad your not closer to my part of PA I cod give you some rubble and a sump

 

[scumbag_gli]

Ok hang on the back sump... It'll work but it's not the greatest, there's usually no room for a skimmer on them which is pretty important, use it for now until you can build or purchase a sump to put down below ( if possible) but loose the bio balls and put livestock rubble in place of it, the bio balls will be a nitrate factory but the use of livestock will up you nitrifying bacteria which is what you want. Too bad your not closer to my part of PA I cod give you some rubble and a sump

I do have the room in my cabinet below the tank...is there a specific one you would recommend for the 29 gal size? Or a diy? Im all about buying something if it is an "all in one" kinda deal though! haha

 

[Dozer1one]

Depending on space a twenty gal tall tank is a good all around sump that fits most all equipment you would need, but you could make do with a ten gallon if need be for a 29 gal tank, there's plenty of DIY plans on this forum or you can purchase one off craigslist. Most of the time the all in one things in this hobby are really geared towards one thing iex, they might have a built in skimmer and fuge but the skimmer is under powered and the fuge is bigger than needed, it's always better to build to your specific needs

 

[scumbag_gli]

Well I ended up picking up another light...T5 blue accent light, to go along with the white LED light...should be exactly what I am looking for.

Also looked up some DIY's...might try to build a small 15gal sump with my nano skimmer built into it.

 

[Dozer1one]

The t5 s do well on reef tanks, I ran those for years and had plenty of growth, I just recently switched to LEDs , just make sure to replace the bulbs in it as old bulbs will lead to algae problems and won't have the right par for coral growth

 

[Dozer1one]

And I think your much better off building your own sump IMO

 

[acabgd]

I'm really suspicious about this LED light of yours. You still didn't tell us what brand and how many watts.

 

[scumbag_gli]

I'm really suspicious about this LED light of yours. You still didn't tell us what brand and how many watts.

Well it came with the tank, for free haha. Its a fluval I believe, all I know is i counted 112 LED's - 106 white and 6 blue.

I am looking at new lighting, already not really too impressed with these.

 

[Spyderturbo007]

So heres my questions...
1. Should I start running the filter? Its an over the back style that pulls from the center of the tank and pumps 500gal/hr back to the top

The filter will help clear up the tank. You want to get the free floating sediment out of the tank or it will just get stirred up again.

2. Heater at 79 okay?

79 degrees is just fine. You might want to consider investing in an external controller for the heater. Heater failures are one of the top causes of tank crashes. They always fail at the worst times and normally fail in the "on" position. A few bucks for a controller is worth every penny in the long run.

Your fish will thank you.....when you get some.

3. My light rack I bought only has 112 LED's - 106 white 6 blue - enough? Has night and day setting, or combined. Or should have I bought the 300 LED one?

It all depends on what you want to do with the tank. If you are just going to have some fish, then you just need enough light so you like how the fish look. If you want some coral, you'll probably want to go with something a little more robust. It sounds like one of the cheap LED fixtures. I don't know of any Fluval LED that can grow coral. I have one over my Fluval Edge and can't even keep my Betta's plants alive. :uhoh2:

4. Do I really need a skimmer on a 29? I was going to do something like 5 gal water change 1 time a week.

It isn't necessary, but recommended especially if you are looking at adding corals. 5g / week should be just fine, but as you move forward, your nutrient levels will point you in the correct direction.

5. How many other powerheads should I invest in? Besides the 500gal/hr I have now from the filter

I know I keep saying this, but it depends on what you want to do with the tank. If you're just going to get some fish, then a small powerhead would do nicely. LPS would require a little more flow and if you ultimately want SPS, you'll need to get something that provides a good turnover.

6. I did the "dead shrimp" thing last time to spike the cycle, any other cool tricks to get it started?

That's still the best way. Some people like to use additives like BioSpira, or Dr. Tim's, but I don't have any direct experience with either, so I won't comment on their effectiveness.

7. Going to probably buy some LR today after work...thinking about starting with around 40-50 lbs...too much or just enough?

That's way too much. I put 60lbs in my 55g and ended up pulling some out. I'm considering removing more because I still think it's too much. I would start with 15lbs - 20lbs and go from there.

I personally would only start a tank with dry rock and not live. I got burned with my live rock and short of tearing down the tank, I'm stuck. I've been plagued with almost every pest imaginable and wish I had never used live rock. Dry rock is also cheaper.

 

[scumbag_gli]

Turbo - thanks for all the responses! I changed a few things up...
Keeping the tank at 78, I am going to invest in the 4-t5 lamp next week I think (http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife_Lunar_Aqualight_T5_Lamp_High_Output_Fixture_24_Inch_T5_Fluorescent_Light_Fixtures-Coralife-ES08604-FILTFIT54U-vi.html), I plan on doing alot of different types of corals...I am probably going to keep flow around 800 gal/hr, I ended up only buying 19 lbs yesterday...hopefully not too many bad critters in it =/

 

[scumbag_gli]

Or this one for only 40 dollars more... http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticLife_T5_HO_Light_Fixture_W_Lunar_LEDs_Freshwater_T5_Fluorescent_Light_Fixtures_for_Aquariums-AquaticLife-AK010352-FWLTFIT5-vi.html

 

[Spyderturbo007]

Or this one for only 40 dollars more... http://www.marinedepot.com/AquaticLife_T5_HO_Light_Fixture_W_Lunar_LEDs_Freshwater_T5_Fluorescent_Light_Fixtures_for_Aquariums-AquaticLife-AK010352-FWLTFIT5-vi.html

The bulbs in this fixture aren't what you need to keep corals. You'll want to go with something that's targeted to Marine, which will normally contain some combination of Actinic, 10K's and/or purple bulbs.

I would recommend something like this AquaticLife. I used to have one of their 4 x 54w fixtures and the only thing I didn't like was that the fans were noisy. I replaced the fans with some computer case fans I bought from NewEgg.

A bulb burned out prematurely in the fixture, but I called AquaticLife and they sent me two replacements for my trouble, so that goes to say something for their support.