New 29G Tank

[snagster2010]

I am thinking about setting up a 29 g reef tank. I would go bigger but can't do to lack of space. I was thinking for lighting a double 65 watt power compact, making it total 130 watts. I was thinking for filtration a new cpr refugium/protein skimmer combo ho. I have no heard much about these. Then i was thinkin a 2-4 in layer of special grade arogonite sand. Then i was thinking between 25 lbs or so of live rock from justliverock. As for heater I have one already. I was going to use reef crystals salt. A for supplemts i was going to use seachem. I will be stocking with soft corals to start from tropicorium and liveaquaria since they have the ebst prices and the deals. Then as for fish i was going to get a pair of tank raised clownfish, and a pair of tank raised bangaii cardinals and then a dwarf angelfish. please tell me if I am on the right tract if the companies i am ordering from which are live aquaria, tropicorium for live goods and marine depot and aquacave for dry goods if they are good reliable companies. And can u also tell me if I am going with right lighting live rock sand and filtriaon.

Thanks, Nick

[stevek480]

I started off with a 29 gallon tank as well, with a similar lighting setup. It was fine for soft corals but you really won't be able to keep stony corals. If I started that tank over again I would have went with a T5 HO setup. I had a CPR bakpak skimmer also and it was good enough for that tank, removed about a cup full a week, but I also only had 2 fish (clownfish pair). I don't know anything about the newer combo you speak of, but I'm sure its similar.

Depending on what type of rock you choose (how porous), you may find that 25lbs barely fills much area of the tank. I started with 30lbs of denser rock and it barely filled the tank, and then added 10 lbs of BRS dry rock (very porous) and that ended up filling the tank about halfway.

I used reef crystals also, if you do regular water changes you may not even need to supplement calcium/alk depending on what type of corals you end up with.

[stevek480]

Btw, welcome!

[snagster2010]

thanx i was going to go with fifty lbs from justliverock, anyway ever hear of this company and i only plann on keeping soft

[snagster2010]

btw i have a 20g seahorse tnak not wiht fish yet and have some veyr littlwe hair algae any suggetsions veryone tell s ro/di unit would i be bale to get tap wtare prufier would that work sorry in r nush class

[stevek480]

I've only ordered from marine depot myself and had good service with them, but I've heard of all of them. From what I understand, they are all pretty reputable. I plan on ordering some fish from live aquaria soon. I ordered most of the tank supplies from premium aquatics and bulk reef supply. They both have good service and great prices.

[snagster2010]

do u think its ok to use tap water purifier for the 20g instead of ro/di unit

[stevek480]

I wouldn't suggest it unless you have really good tap water to start with. If you don't want to buy an RO/DI unit you might be better buying distilled water or buying water from the LFS. In the long run a RO/DI system is the best investment to avoid dealing with algae issues and more.

[mudskipper1]

T5 are more energy efficient than PC anyway, and would allow some flexibility, better color options, etc.

[RedRider001]

yeah snagster ive had a 29g reef for quite a while with current pc lights and softies looks great with a aqua c remora skimmer good luck with yours

[juniorjose]

hey snagster. i too just started a 29 gal and i have 130 watt. i did hear u cant relly keep sps with these though, mostly soft corals.

[juniorjose]

o and the second comment is right about 25 pounds not fitting even half of the tank. i need to get some base rock this week to fill it up.