The 29g wonder

[WmHampton]

Well I figured this would be a fun way to watch the progress of my tank and get some expert advice so here we go.

had a 55 gallon mixed reef for about a year and a half before downgrading to this unit. Had the whole 9 yards with it also, a 6 foot sump plumbed down to the basement. Built my own stand and canopy. Did the rapid led lighting which i highly recommend to anyone out there thinking about going down that road. Oddly enough I just hated the size all together and wanted to go bigger... The 12" from front to back did not allow for any creativity at all with the rock work. Had a hard time getting nice water flow also. In order for it to travel the distance of the tank with only 12 inches to work with makes for more of a jet stream than a "wave".

I was bouncing around on Craigslist when I stumbled across this nifty item for only 170 and it came with extra set of lights and ballasts, protein skimmer, uv sterilizer, purple up, power head, bioballs, and stand. Now for the best part it was only filled with water and that is it. Kid lost interest and wanted it out.

Now that it has been going for 2 months I can say I officially LOVE this little thing. What a perfect plug n play system it is. Makes keeping a saltwater tank so simple. Yes I am a little worried that I will outgrow this much to quickly but for now I am super happy to watch it fill in.

Here are some pictures for reference

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80234117@N04/7417713234/" title="FTS by wmhampton1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7417713234_c6c7cd5168.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="FTS"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80234117@N04/7417713198/" title="fishtankredo by wmhampton1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/7417713198_a11619865c.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="fishtankredo"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80234117@N04/7417713270/" title="gobyshrimp by wmhampton1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7270/7417713270_f1c49c1f18.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="gobyshrimp"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80234117@N04/7417713462/" title="shroomnstar by wmhampton1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/7417713462_1927c7f37b.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="shroomnstar"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80234117@N04/7417713370/" title="plate by wmhampton1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7119/7417713370_b47db76374.jpg" width="500" height="335" alt="plate"></a>

 

[GooGs]

Nice looking tank! Your substrate looks like natural crushed coral, not super white sand. I like it.

 

[Veganbrian]

I like it! looks good. how much live rock you got in there?

 

[WmHampton]

Nice looking tank! Your substrate looks like natural crushed coral, not super white sand. I like it.

Thank you!! I am really happy with this substrate also. Found it on eBay seems like some guy who lives on the ocean just scoops it up and sells it. I had the Aragonite before and it seemed like once a week I had to "vacuum" the algae off. Very annoying... With this stuff never once have I even stirred it or seen a hint of algae growing on it.... Works amazing IMO.

Here is a link to the eBay page, I saved it for future use.

Carribean Sand

 

[WmHampton]

I like it! looks good. how much live rock you got in there?

Thank you

To be honest I am not super sure. Didn't buy all my rock at once for the 55 and this is just some of the pieces I took from that. If I had to guess it say 25-30lbs

 

[WmHampton]

Update, just finished my ATO off system that I have been putting off for quite some time now. Made up a little drawer for the container to sit in. Figured this would make it much easier to refill.

Now I know some where I read about people mixing kalkwasser (sp?) in the ato water. What are feelings on this, good or bad idea before I go exploring into it any farther.

Here are some photos of the system!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80234117@N04/7444636444/" title="IMG_20120624_210117 by wmhampton1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7444636444_6ef277463a.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="IMG_20120624_210117"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80234117@N04/7444636198/" title="IMG_20120624_204251 by wmhampton1, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7444636198_bc509fa8c1.jpg" width="315" height="422" alt="IMG_20120624_204251"></a>

 

[WmHampton]

Well here is a four month update on the biocube. Still could not ask for more from this tank.

nothing new about the set up. Did not do much with it over summer other than regular maintenance. However I am getting the bug again since cold weather is starting to set in and its time for some new toys.... MP10, the wireless adapter for my controller, perhaps a better skimmer in the back.

Here are some progress photos.

 

[aydemir]

Nice tank, 170 is a steal! 29g cubes at my LFS are 300 bucks. Stand is another 150...the guy you bought from must've lost a ton of money :ape: