New 29g

webos · 10/21/2009, 07:32 PM

First I wanted to say thanks for all the information that is on here.

I just started a new tank first salt water got it at LPS. They said the best thing is to do is get some LR and LS and let it run a couple of days and add a couple of fish. They told me that the LS (30lbs) I got will cycle the tank in a day or so and that the LR is already cycled (15lbs).

On that note I went ahead and did some water test and everything looks good. Am: .0 pH: 8.2 Nitrate: 10 Sal: 32 Gravity 1.026.

I don't want to rush thing and kill anything I put in there until getting some idea on what I should do next.

The tank has a passive carbon filter and a bio wheel, i'm looking at putting in a sump just not sure on the size and what i'm going to put in it.

jenjen · 10/21/2009, 09:14 PM

To Reef Central

Is the tank already up and running with the sand & rock? You shouldn't expect to be adding anything alive to the tank for about a month. The live sand & rock will start a cycle, but it definitely won't complete in a day or two.

This is a great time to be working on a sump. Do you have room under the stand to add one? And is your tank drilled or will you be doing an overflow?

DaFishHead · 10/21/2009, 09:19 PM

Welcome!!

29 Gallon? Did you get a bio cube? With a 29 G tank I would recommend a better skimmer before you go with a sump.

thegrun · 10/21/2009, 09:21 PM

It is possible to skip the cycle if the sand and rock are truly cycled. I have some doubts about the claims that some LFS make that their LR is fully cycled live rock. Best bet would be to blend up a small raw shrimp and pour it in the tank. Monitor your ammonia and nitrite levels for a week, if you don't see a spike, then add your fish. A little more LR would be good if you don't mind the look, it will allow you to keep more livestock safely.

webos · 10/21/2009, 09:25 PM

Yes the tank has been running since saturday. I started it with freshwater friday night to check for leaks and drained it in the morning to add salt water. It ran without any lr and ls until monday night.

I didn't think the lfs guy knew what he was talking about, kidna glad i waited anyways and ask.

Yes i'm thinking of putting a sump in but i'm kinda clueless on what and how to make one up. I've seen a lot of idea but not sure where to start. I do have some room in my stand 28l - 11w - 17.5h.

webos · 10/21/2009, 09:29 PM

DaFishHead: no its just a rectangle tank with no skimmer just a power head to pull water up to the hood that has the passive carbon filter and bio wheel.

webos · 10/21/2009, 09:33 PM

I got the 29g tank at petco. Here is the manufacture site: http://www.marineland.com/sites/Mari...=1932&mid=3227

DaFishHead · 10/21/2009, 09:47 PM

I have four tanks in my house. One is a decked out 29G bio cube and it is actually very cool.

Did you use RO/DI water, store bought water or tap water

DaFishHead · 10/21/2009, 09:49 PM

I just checked your tank. Take small steps. That tank is going to be hard to keep maintained for a first tank. Smaller is harder for the new guys. PM me if I can help answer questions.

webos · 10/21/2009, 10:01 PM

Tap with chems adds. Working on buying a RO/DI next week after i get paid. Yes I know i've read a lot of post about the bigger the better but the wife wouldn't let me get a 55g.

Still looking for ideas on how to setup a sump and how to get the water out without drilling the tank since its running now. There isn't a spot for a hob skimmer without cutting the hood.

10/21/2009, 07:32 PM	#1
webos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Benton City Posts: 41	New 29g First I wanted to say thanks for all the information that is on here. I just started a new tank first salt water got it at LPS. They said the best thing is to do is get some LR and LS and let it run a couple of days and add a couple of fish. They told me that the LS (30lbs) I got will cycle the tank in a day or so and that the LR is already cycled (15lbs). On that note I went ahead and did some water test and everything looks good. Am: .0 pH: 8.2 Nitrate: 10 Sal: 32 Gravity 1.026. I don't want to rush thing and kill anything I put in there until getting some idea on what I should do next. The tank has a passive carbon filter and a bio wheel, i'm looking at putting in a sump just not sure on the size and what i'm going to put in it.

10/21/2009, 09:14 PM	#2
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	*To Reef Central* Is the tank already up and running with the sand & rock? You shouldn't expect to be adding anything alive to the tank for about a month. The live sand & rock will start a cycle, but it definitely won't complete in a day or two. This is a great time to be working on a sump. Do you have room under the stand to add one? And is your tank drilled or will you be doing an overflow? __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

10/21/2009, 09:19 PM	#3
DaFishHead Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 174	Welcome!! 29 Gallon? Did you get a bio cube? With a 29 G tank I would recommend a better skimmer before you go with a sump.

10/21/2009, 09:21 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	It is possible to skip the cycle if the sand and rock are truly cycled. I have some doubts about the claims that some LFS make that their LR is fully cycled live rock. Best bet would be to blend up a small raw shrimp and pour it in the tank. Monitor your ammonia and nitrite levels for a week, if you don't see a spike, then add your fish. A little more LR would be good if you don't mind the look, it will allow you to keep more livestock safely.

10/21/2009, 09:25 PM	#5
webos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Benton City Posts: 41	Yes the tank has been running since saturday. I started it with freshwater friday night to check for leaks and drained it in the morning to add salt water. It ran without any lr and ls until monday night. I didn't think the lfs guy knew what he was talking about, kidna glad i waited anyways and ask. Yes i'm thinking of putting a sump in but i'm kinda clueless on what and how to make one up. I've seen a lot of idea but not sure where to start. I do have some room in my stand 28l - 11w - 17.5h.

10/21/2009, 09:29 PM	#6
webos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Benton City Posts: 41	DaFishHead: no its just a rectangle tank with no skimmer just a power head to pull water up to the hood that has the passive carbon filter and bio wheel.

10/21/2009, 09:33 PM	#7
webos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Benton City Posts: 41	I got the 29g tank at petco. Here is the manufacture site: http://www.marineland.com/sites/Mari...=1932&mid=3227

10/21/2009, 09:47 PM	#8
DaFishHead Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 174	I have four tanks in my house. One is a decked out 29G bio cube and it is actually very cool. Did you use RO/DI water, store bought water or tap water

10/21/2009, 09:49 PM	#9
DaFishHead Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 174	I just checked your tank. Take small steps. That tank is going to be hard to keep maintained for a first tank. Smaller is harder for the new guys. PM me if I can help answer questions.

10/21/2009, 10:01 PM	#10
webos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Benton City Posts: 41	Tap with chems adds. Working on buying a RO/DI next week after i get paid. Yes I know i've read a lot of post about the bigger the better but the wife wouldn't let me get a 55g. Still looking for ideas on how to setup a sump and how to get the water out without drilling the tank since its running now. There isn't a spot for a hob skimmer without cutting the hood.