29g FOWLR set up

socal808 · 02/25/2011, 07:10 AM

It's been about 20 years since I have had a SW Tank. Here's where I am - I need advice please..

I started with a brand new 29g with Dry Rock, Non Live Sand and 2 Damsels and a wet/dry trickle filter - protein skimmer will be here any day. I had the opportunity to recieve 50lbs of live rock (coraline algae was everywhere in the tank where I picked these up) and refugium sump with live rock as well - I also recieved all the fish below minus the Damsels because he threw them in. The following is now what is currently in my tank..
- 50lbs live rock
- 5" Emperor Angel (this is going to be given a proper home in 3 days - my set up is way to small for this guy)
- Tomato Clown (probably going back as well - I'm afraid my tank hasn't cycled enough)
- Lawnmower Blenny (saidly this one to I think - unless anyone thinks he can handle the cycling)
- 2 x Chromis
- 2 x Blue Damsels
- 2 x Serpent Stars
- cpr 1500 overflow
- 15g refugium sump (using only Live Rock - should I switch this out for Macro Algae and a sand bed..??
- 3 maxi jet 900
(I spent 3 hours acclimating the fish to my set up - though my set up is still high in Nitrates (Ammonia and Nitrites are just about zero'd out)

From this point on is where I need advice. I am hoping that this LR that I picked up is going to help cycle the tank quicker and not do the opposite. Should I really have that much LR in my tank or should I drop 20/30lbs..?

FYI - All fish are eating as far as I can tell (The Angel was eating Nori out of my hand - The Damsels and Chromis went to town on Frozen Brine - I can't confirm the Bleny or the Clown. Any advice on feeding them as well..

I'm a sad case, I know.. I'm determined to do this correctly with ZERO fatalities..

Many Mahalos..!!

kctango · 02/25/2011, 08:20 AM

How long was your tank setup before the fish???? The way it reads is that your tank has not even started to cycle and that you added the fish the first day. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Kweli · 02/25/2011, 08:45 AM

No such thing as too much rock... more rock = more filtration

Although I think you added too much livestock before the cycle has officially completed. You may be lucky and have a tiny spike (since most of your rock was already active and alive)... but theres still a chance of damage or deaths. Hopefully not.

socal808 · 02/26/2011, 06:12 AM

My tank had been cycling for about 12 days with the Dry Rock and Damsels.. It has now been 14 going on day 15 and all tests are reading zero (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate - Ph is 8.2 and Alk is reading normal). My protein skimmer has been running for 12 hours and I had to empty a half full collection cup (last 2 hours has had very minimal collection). I also think that I may be getting to excited.

Tomorrow I'm sending the Angel off to the LFS in hopes he finds a bigger tank along with the tomato clown. Both look pretty good and healthy (I don't want to take any more chances)

I think I now need to change my attention to the lighting. I currently have a 50/50 24w flourescent with Moonlight LEDs. Should I just change the bulb and get a 10,000k for now to help with coralline algae growth or is it really important that I get a good lighting set up like yesterday.?

Thanks again for all the help..!! Mahalo from Maui..

wmdick_2007 · 02/26/2011, 08:54 AM

Here is some information on coralline http://www.garf.org/coralline.html

Good Luck

02/25/2011, 07:10 AM	#1
socal808 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 3	29g FOWLR set up It's been about 20 years since I have had a SW Tank. Here's where I am - I need advice please.. I started with a brand new 29g with Dry Rock, Non Live Sand and 2 Damsels and a wet/dry trickle filter - protein skimmer will be here any day. I had the opportunity to recieve 50lbs of live rock (coraline algae was everywhere in the tank where I picked these up) and refugium sump with live rock as well - I also recieved all the fish below minus the Damsels because he threw them in. The following is now what is currently in my tank.. - 50lbs live rock - 5" Emperor Angel (this is going to be given a proper home in 3 days - my set up is way to small for this guy) - Tomato Clown (probably going back as well - I'm afraid my tank hasn't cycled enough) - Lawnmower Blenny (saidly this one to I think - unless anyone thinks he can handle the cycling) - 2 x Chromis - 2 x Blue Damsels - 2 x Serpent Stars - cpr 1500 overflow - 15g refugium sump (using only Live Rock - should I switch this out for Macro Algae and a sand bed..?? - 3 maxi jet 900 (I spent 3 hours acclimating the fish to my set up - though my set up is still high in Nitrates (Ammonia and Nitrites are just about zero'd out) From this point on is where I need advice. I am hoping that this LR that I picked up is going to help cycle the tank quicker and not do the opposite. Should I really have that much LR in my tank or should I drop 20/30lbs..? FYI - All fish are eating as far as I can tell (The Angel was eating Nori out of my hand - The Damsels and Chromis went to town on Frozen Brine - I can't confirm the Bleny or the Clown. Any advice on feeding them as well.. I'm a sad case, I know.. I'm determined to do this correctly with ZERO fatalities.. Many Mahalos..!!

02/26/2011, 08:54 AM	#5
wmdick_2007 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 191	Here is some information on coralline http://www.garf.org/coralline.html Good Luck __________________ Enjoy! Current Tank Info: 13 mixed tanks

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02/25/2011, 08:20 AM	#2
kctango Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Coastal Georgia Posts: 269	How long was your tank setup before the fish???? The way it reads is that your tank has not even started to cycle and that you added the fish the first day. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

02/25/2011, 08:45 AM	#3
Kweli Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 221	No such thing as too much rock... more rock = more filtration Although I think you added too much livestock before the cycle has officially completed. You may be lucky and have a tiny spike (since most of your rock was already active and alive)... but theres still a chance of damage or deaths. Hopefully not.

02/26/2011, 06:12 AM	#4
socal808 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 3	My tank had been cycling for about 12 days with the Dry Rock and Damsels.. It has now been 14 going on day 15 and all tests are reading zero (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate - Ph is 8.2 and Alk is reading normal). My protein skimmer has been running for 12 hours and I had to empty a half full collection cup (last 2 hours has had very minimal collection). I also think that I may be getting to excited. Tomorrow I'm sending the Angel off to the LFS in hopes he finds a bigger tank along with the tomato clown. Both look pretty good and healthy (I don't want to take any more chances) I think I now need to change my attention to the lighting. I currently have a 50/50 24w flourescent with Moonlight LEDs. Should I just change the bulb and get a 10,000k for now to help with coralline algae growth or is it really important that I get a good lighting set up like yesterday.? Thanks again for all the help..!! Mahalo from Maui..