New tank 29 gallon need opinions/suggestions

Krisb410 · 07/19/2010, 08:16 PM

Hey all,

I guess I should post everything I currently have.

30"w x 12"d x 18 1/2"t glass aquarium
30" Aquatic Life T5 hood (two 420/460 28w bulbs, two 700+ 28w bulbs) with moonlights
100w heater
Aquaclear 50
HOB skimmer
1 700GPH powerhead
1 500GPH powerhead
The "Package" from Tampa Bay Saltwater which includes the following
25 pounds live sand
50 pounds live rock
and all sorts of "critters"

I'm using Instant Ocean reef mix with store bought RO/DI water.

I tried to upload some pics, but it doesn't seem to be working.

Anyways, I received the LS and 1/2 the LR July 4th, waited 13 days (July 16th) to get the 2nd 1/2 of LR and the CUC. He included a lot of cool stuff. That's where my concerns are. He included a few, what I'm guessing is some sort of sponges. Well they definitely don't look good compared to when they arrived. Is this part of the normal cycle? One of the Starfish hasn't moved to much. One of the cucumbers has moved a little bit, the other one is all over the rock. But both have a slime coming off them.

I am keeping on top of the tests and do water changes to keep the levels in check.

iamwrasseman · 07/19/2010, 10:24 PM

first of all sponges need a very high nutrient level to live properly and i would suggest that you get rid of them .
switch to reef crystals salt mix .
what kind of star fish ? is it purple or orange ?
your tank needs to go through a cycle before you add fish or corals IMO .some will say corals are okay but not me .
record your water tests so you can identify when your tank cycle's .
what you have been sold is a minimal salt water package and you will need to keep up on your weekly water changes along with carbon and GFO .

singold · 07/19/2010, 11:49 PM

"One of the Starfish hasn't moved to much."
--------------------------------------------------------------

The Starfish will never survive. You should take them back immediately. Can't believe they would recommend selling them to you, not only given the age of your tank, but also the 29gal size. I would wait at least 3 to 4 months before adding corals & research the fish you intend on purchasing. When you do start adding livestock - do so in intervals, to allow your tanks maturation to keep pace with the bioload produced by the fish & corals you intend to stock.

zachfishman · 07/20/2010, 07:03 AM

You more than likely won't need to run both the 700gph and 500gph powerheads. I'm running a 29 with an Aquaclear 70 (at min flow) with only a Koralia 1 - and it's plenty of flow. I highly recommend you get a sump though, as I have been battling temp swings and microbubbles (from the Aquaclear). This will also get your heater and skimmer pump out of your tank.

gweston · 07/20/2010, 10:26 AM

I have 29 +15 gal sump.. about 6 months old now.
~30lbs livesand
~80lbs liverock (between main tank and sump) *this is quite a lot of rock, but I like it

I started with an Aquaclear 50. It worked quite well. Later I removed the sponge and only ran carbon in it with the HOB skimmer in use. I removed it once I got the sump. I run carbon in the sump now.

For circ I have 2x Koralia 2's. They are on opposite sides pointing somewhat at an incline towards the surface. A tad too much flow if I point them down towards the rock (in my opinion). Perfect flow the way I have them positioned.

I have an overflow that goes down to a sump, with a dual return to the tank The returns just flow out towards the koralias which then gets circulated around. Flow through the sump isn't fast. The sump has a refugium with chaeto and return section.

I use I/O salt mix (not reef crystals). It is perfectly fine for my small reef. A weekly water change ~5gallons is enough.

My skimmer is a HOB remora. Not the best skimmer but it works very well for this size tank. I probably wouldn't use that skimmer on a larger tank. I get dark tea colored skimmate. It needs to be cleaned every 2-3 days for best function, but it has been fine if I let it run for 7 days.

Regarding your critters... not sure of the sponge. Sponge can and do grow on liverock naturally. They are good filter feeders. They can come and go. Not a big deal. But... for your starfish and cucumber. Your tank is too young to support them. If something is sliming, it may be dead/dying. cucumbers can be very toxic to your tank. Starfish may not move much. Depends what species it is. Some are nocturnal. A sandsifter needs a good bit of an available sand bed. They also eat a good amount. You may need to supplement by dropping a bit of pellet food if it isn't getting enough.

So.. you can keep that starfish alive (depending on species) if it gets fed adequately. That cucumber may not make it. Get it out of the tank if you suspect it is sick/dying. If you have fish and that cucumber dies.. your fish will die too.

My fish:
2 occellaris clowns *breeding pair. friendly, but they only care about breeding.
midas blenny *my favorite, super friendly and interactive.
6-line wrasse

Avoid the 6-line unless you need one. They are hit/miss regarding compatibility with other fish. They can become aggressive when they become adults, and may have other issues. They can be AWESOME tank cleaners however when it comes to flatworms/pods, and even bristle worms. But again. Hit or miss as each fish has it's own traits. Caution with shrimp the older the wrasse is.

07/19/2010, 08:16 PM	#1
Krisb410 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 9	New tank 29 gallon need opinions/suggestions Hey all, I guess I should post everything I currently have. 30"w x 12"d x 18 1/2"t glass aquarium 30" Aquatic Life T5 hood (two 420/460 28w bulbs, two 700+ 28w bulbs) with moonlights 100w heater Aquaclear 50 HOB skimmer 1 700GPH powerhead 1 500GPH powerhead The "Package" from Tampa Bay Saltwater which includes the following 25 pounds live sand 50 pounds live rock and all sorts of "critters" I'm using Instant Ocean reef mix with store bought RO/DI water. I tried to upload some pics, but it doesn't seem to be working. Anyways, I received the LS and 1/2 the LR July 4th, waited 13 days (July 16th) to get the 2nd 1/2 of LR and the CUC. He included a lot of cool stuff. That's where my concerns are. He included a few, what I'm guessing is some sort of sponges. Well they definitely don't look good compared to when they arrived. Is this part of the normal cycle? One of the Starfish hasn't moved to much. One of the cucumbers has moved a little bit, the other one is all over the rock. But both have a slime coming off them. I am keeping on top of the tests and do water changes to keep the levels in check. Last edited by Krisb410; 07/19/2010 at 08:32 PM.

07/19/2010, 10:24 PM	#2
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	first of all sponges need a very high nutrient level to live properly and i would suggest that you get rid of them . switch to reef crystals salt mix . what kind of star fish ? is it purple or orange ? your tank needs to go through a cycle before you add fish or corals IMO .some will say corals are okay but not me . record your water tests so you can identify when your tank cycle's . what you have been sold is a minimal salt water package and you will need to keep up on your weekly water changes along with carbon and GFO . __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

07/19/2010, 11:49 PM	#3
singold Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Saint Louis, Missouri Posts: 1,827	"One of the Starfish hasn't moved to much." -------------------------------------------------------------- The Starfish will never survive. You should take them back immediately. Can't believe they would recommend selling them to you, not only given the age of your tank, but also the 29gal size. I would wait at least 3 to 4 months before adding corals & research the fish you intend on purchasing. When you do start adding livestock - do so in intervals, to allow your tanks maturation to keep pace with the bioload produced by the fish & corals you intend to stock. __________________ "If there is no wind.....row." Current Tank Info: 75gal Reef w/29gal Refugium

07/20/2010, 07:03 AM	#4
zachfishman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 3,577	You more than likely won't need to run both the 700gph and 500gph powerheads. I'm running a 29 with an Aquaclear 70 (at min flow) with only a Koralia 1 - and it's plenty of flow. I highly recommend you get a sump though, as I have been battling temp swings and microbubbles (from the Aquaclear). This will also get your heater and skimmer pump out of your tank. __________________ Patience is a reefer's best tool. Secret Xenia lover. M.S. Marine Biology Staff - Marine Discovery Center, St. Petersburg FL Tampa Bay Reef Club BOD 2018 Current Tank Info: 34g modded Solana

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
1st saltwater tank 29 gallon !	patrick76	Nano Reefs	25	05/09/2011 11:48 PM
First Marine Tank. 29 gallons	mastocker	Nano Reefs	39	09/13/2010 07:17 PM
29 gallon fish only suggestions?	TheApprentice	Fish Only & Aggressive Tanks	3	07/03/2008 10:16 PM
29 gallon light setup suggestions	MaryK117	New to the Hobby	4	03/08/2008 07:58 AM
29 gallon setup opinions	Alto	Arizona - Fish & Reef Aquarium Group (FRAG)	0	05/08/2007 04:58 PM

07/20/2010, 10:26 AM	#5
gweston Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gardner, MA Posts: 961	I have 29 +15 gal sump.. about 6 months old now. ~30lbs livesand ~80lbs liverock (between main tank and sump) this is quite a lot of rock, but I like it I started with an Aquaclear 50. It worked quite well. Later I removed the sponge and only ran carbon in it with the HOB skimmer in use. I removed it once I got the sump. I run carbon in the sump now. For circ I have 2x Koralia 2's. They are on opposite sides pointing somewhat at an incline towards the surface. A tad too much flow if I point them down towards the rock (in my opinion). Perfect flow the way I have them positioned. I have an overflow that goes down to a sump, with a dual return to the tank The returns just flow out towards the koralias which then gets circulated around. Flow through the sump isn't fast. The sump has a refugium with chaeto and return section. I use I/O salt mix (not reef crystals). It is perfectly fine for my small reef. A weekly water change ~5gallons is enough. My skimmer is a HOB remora. Not the best skimmer but it works very well for this size tank. I probably wouldn't use that skimmer on a larger tank. I get dark tea colored skimmate. It needs to be cleaned every 2-3 days for best function, but it has been fine if I let it run for 7 days. Regarding your critters... not sure of the sponge. Sponge can and do grow on liverock naturally. They are good filter feeders. They can come and go. Not a big deal. But... for your starfish and cucumber. Your tank is too young to support them. If something is sliming, it may be dead/dying. cucumbers can be very toxic to your tank. Starfish may not move much. Depends what species it is. Some are nocturnal. A sandsifter needs a good bit of an available sand bed. They also eat a good amount. You may need to supplement by dropping a bit of pellet food if it isn't getting enough. So.. you can keep that starfish alive (depending on species) if it gets fed adequately. That cucumber may not make it. Get it out of the tank if you suspect it is sick/dying. If you have fish and that cucumber dies.. your fish will die too. My fish: 2 occellaris clowns breeding pair. friendly, but they only care about breeding. midas blenny *my favorite, super friendly and interactive. 6-line wrasse Avoid the 6-line unless you need one. They are hit/miss regarding compatibility with other fish. They can become aggressive when they become adults, and may have other issues. They can be AWESOME tank cleaners however when it comes to flatworms/pods, and even bristle worms. But again. Hit or miss as each fish has it's own traits. Caution with shrimp the older the wrasse is.