First-Time Saltwater

octopusfingers · 09/20/2011, 03:43 PM

Hello, all

As the title states, I am looking to set up my first saltwater aquarium. I plan on having a 29 gallon FOWLR (possible upgrade to reef later), and am on a pretty tight budget. I plan on purchasing a Top Fin 29 gallon aquarium/hood combo, but the only forseeable problem would be the hood is for only 1 flourescent bulb (presumably 1 T5, not sure). Would this be enough for a healthy amount of coralline and whatnot?

Also, my plan as of now, to save money, is to make my own DIY live rock, then seed that with 3-5 lbs. cured live rock. Is this adequate?

For now, I don't have the money for a skimmer, but I would put 2 Koralia powerheads in the tank.

Also, I was planning on using aragonite sand, because I've heard play sand isn't safe. Is play sand safe, or are there other (cheaper) alternatives?

At least in the beginning, I was planning on using just tap water, how bad is this? How much, on average does RO/DI cost?

Lastly, for stocking, I was thinking 2 ocellaris clowns, 1 royal gramma/bicolor dottyback, 1 Yellow watchman goby, and 1 midas blenny. Are there any compatibility issues here? would this be overstocked? What about a CUC for this tank?

What test kits are needed for a FOWLR?

Thanks in Advance,
octopusfingers

octopusfingers · 09/21/2011, 03:07 PM

Also, for a 29 gallon, what is an appropriate amount of sand? I would prefer about 1-1.5" of sand.

Thanks in Advance,
Octopusfingers

jong11 · 09/21/2011, 06:08 PM

This is tough to do on the cheap, but some thoughts...
I would bet that using dry rock would be cheaper than DIY rock. Either way you will want to seed with live rock.
Don't use play sand, it's too fine and will blow around. Plus I hear it's full of silicates.
If your going to use tap water you'll be plagued with algae issues, plus when you finally decide to use rodi you'll still have problems with leaching from your rock. You can pick up a rodi filter for about $120.
A sand bed calculator can be found at http://reefcentral.com/index.php/sand-bed-calculator
I would use a hood, it prevents gas exchange.

NanoReefNoob · 09/21/2011, 07:00 PM

yes dry rock is much cheaper/easyer and then a few live rock to seed.
I use distilled water and it is 50 cents a gallon at wally world and I have not had any problem (then again i play with a nano)
but I have heard that ROdi water is cheap at some LFS.
For lights you should not have a problem for FOWLR

octopusfingers · 09/21/2011, 07:28 PM

I don't know about the dry rock being cheaper, a bag of portland cement, a bag of rock salt, a bag of crushed oyster shells, a couple bags play sand, total is about $30, correct me if I'm wrong.

So general consensus here is that RO/DI or distilled is the way to go, and it's not tremendously expensive. Also, the lighting I take it is sufficient for a FOWLR? Thanks for the sand bed calculator.

On a final note, what about the stocking/CUC? Overstocked? I definitely don't want to add more, I know that.

Also, I've been thinking, maybe for the first few months, when I don't have a skimmer yet, and I'm possibly not using RO/DI for PWCs (this would be a very short period of time), I should keep the bio-load low with maybe just the clowns, maybe the blenny or gramma? I'm completely and totally willing to take months and months to get it entirely running and stocked, so starting with dry rock and having a long cycle, and then just a couple fish at the beginning is completely acceptable.

Thanks in Advance,
octopusfingers

octopusfingers · 09/21/2011, 07:30 PM

I don't know about the dry rock being cheaper, a bag of portland cement, a bag of rock salt, a bag of crushed oyster shells, a couple bags play sand, total is about $30, correct me if I'm wrong.

So general consensus here is that RO/DI or distilled is the way to go, and it's not tremendously expensive. Also, the lighting I take it is sufficient for a FOWLR? Thanks for the sand bed calculator.

On a final note, what about the stocking/CUC? Overstocked? I definitely don't want to add more, I know that.

Also, I've been thinking, maybe for the first few months, when I don't have a skimmer yet, and I'm possibly not using RO/DI for PWCs (this would be a very short period of time), I should keep the bio-load low with maybe just the clowns, maybe the blenny or gramma? I'm completely and totally willing to take months and months to get it entirely running and stocked, so starting with dry rock and having a long cycle, and then just a couple fish at the beginning is completely acceptable.

Thanks in Advance,
octopusfingers

EDIT: Sorry about the double post, any way to delete it?

crobattt · 09/21/2011, 07:35 PM

RO Is a big advantage and is very cheap. The fish should be compatible but make sure you have plenty of filtration. a skimmer isn't necessary, but is a big help. I don't know about making rock, i just bough "dry" rock. and lighting isn't needed to be honest but if you are going to end up doing a reef you will need better lights.

octopusfingers · 09/23/2011, 05:55 AM

Ok, so I think I've decided to go with RO/DI, at least fOr the initial fill-up, and I'm still leanIng towards making my own rock, then seeding with about 5 lbs. Live rock. Lighting is good, stocking is good, what about test kits and a CUC? How about feeding? How much, how often, and what to feed?

Thanks in Advance,
Octopusfingers

sponger0 · 09/23/2011, 06:19 AM

For rock heres what you can do. Most places sell rubble rock for $3 a lb and usually can get live for $6-7 so but halk rubble and half live and itll cost approximately $120. Now if you can do that I recommend saving your money. By making your own you will either have things leaching out into the water or have a long cycle as you wait for your water parms to settle. There is no cheap why into this hobby. Or check craigslist and people sometimes break down their tank and sell live rock for $3/lb. Also using play sand is a bad idea in my book. They can leach silica which is bad bad bad.

Skimmer isnt necessary right away though it does help so save money for a skimmer.

Water is number 1 in my book. Now way around it. You can usually get it from a LFS for $.25 for RO and $.75- $1 a gallon.

For a fowler you will need pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kits. API makes a kit for it around $30. I found these kits work fine.

Your original stocking list is too big for a 29 gallon with out a skimmer. But if you dont plan on using a skimmer plan on doing at least 10% water change every week. I do it anyway and I have a skimmer

Not trying to discourage you here, but if you dont have the money right now for the right stuff, then wait. If you dont feel like waiting this may not be the hobby for you cause your going to spend alot of money and also patience is very important.

09/20/2011, 03:43 PM	#1
octopusfingers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 13	First-Time Saltwater Hello, all As the title states, I am looking to set up my first saltwater aquarium. I plan on having a 29 gallon FOWLR (possible upgrade to reef later), and am on a pretty tight budget. I plan on purchasing a Top Fin 29 gallon aquarium/hood combo, but the only forseeable problem would be the hood is for only 1 flourescent bulb (presumably 1 T5, not sure). Would this be enough for a healthy amount of coralline and whatnot? Also, my plan as of now, to save money, is to make my own DIY live rock, then seed that with 3-5 lbs. cured live rock. Is this adequate? For now, I don't have the money for a skimmer, but I would put 2 Koralia powerheads in the tank. Also, I was planning on using aragonite sand, because I've heard play sand isn't safe. Is play sand safe, or are there other (cheaper) alternatives? At least in the beginning, I was planning on using just tap water, how bad is this? How much, on average does RO/DI cost? Lastly, for stocking, I was thinking 2 ocellaris clowns, 1 royal gramma/bicolor dottyback, 1 Yellow watchman goby, and 1 midas blenny. Are there any compatibility issues here? would this be overstocked? What about a CUC for this tank? What test kits are needed for a FOWLR? Thanks in Advance, octopusfingers

09/21/2011, 06:08 PM	#3
jong11 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maine Posts: 396	This is tough to do on the cheap, but some thoughts... I would bet that using dry rock would be cheaper than DIY rock. Either way you will want to seed with live rock. Don't use play sand, it's too fine and will blow around. Plus I hear it's full of silicates. If your going to use tap water you'll be plagued with algae issues, plus when you finally decide to use rodi you'll still have problems with leaching from your rock. You can pick up a rodi filter for about $120. A sand bed calculator can be found at http://reefcentral.com/index.php/sand-bed-calculator I would use a hood, it prevents gas exchange. __________________ 10 gallon nano - par 38 led bulb, 2 hk nano 240gph, 75w jager heater, aquaclear 70 (w/ ac 20 impeller), rkl controller Current Tank Info: 10 gal nano, 40 gal breeder (in progress)

09/21/2011, 07:00 PM	#4
NanoReefNoob Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Yuma, AZ Posts: 241	yes dry rock is much cheaper/easyer and then a few live rock to seed. I use distilled water and it is 50 cents a gallon at wally world and I have not had any problem (then again i play with a nano) but I have heard that ROdi water is cheap at some LFS. For lights you should not have a problem for FOWLR __________________ This is only a hobby if you are having fun, ether wise it is work. Current Tank Info: 72G fresh water, Reef tank build in progress.

09/21/2011, 07:35 PM	#7
crobattt Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 786	RO Is a big advantage and is very cheap. The fish should be compatible but make sure you have plenty of filtration. a skimmer isn't necessary, but is a big help. I don't know about making rock, i just bough "dry" rock. and lighting isn't needed to be honest but if you are going to end up doing a reef you will need better lights. __________________ Phil 4:13: I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

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09/21/2011, 03:07 PM	#2
octopusfingers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 13	Also, for a 29 gallon, what is an appropriate amount of sand? I would prefer about 1-1.5" of sand. Thanks in Advance, Octopusfingers

09/21/2011, 07:28 PM	#5
octopusfingers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 13	I don't know about the dry rock being cheaper, a bag of portland cement, a bag of rock salt, a bag of crushed oyster shells, a couple bags play sand, total is about $30, correct me if I'm wrong. So general consensus here is that RO/DI or distilled is the way to go, and it's not tremendously expensive. Also, the lighting I take it is sufficient for a FOWLR? Thanks for the sand bed calculator. On a final note, what about the stocking/CUC? Overstocked? I definitely don't want to add more, I know that. Also, I've been thinking, maybe for the first few months, when I don't have a skimmer yet, and I'm possibly not using RO/DI for PWCs (this would be a very short period of time), I should keep the bio-load low with maybe just the clowns, maybe the blenny or gramma? I'm completely and totally willing to take months and months to get it entirely running and stocked, so starting with dry rock and having a long cycle, and then just a couple fish at the beginning is completely acceptable. Thanks in Advance, octopusfingers

09/21/2011, 07:30 PM	#6
octopusfingers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 13	I don't know about the dry rock being cheaper, a bag of portland cement, a bag of rock salt, a bag of crushed oyster shells, a couple bags play sand, total is about $30, correct me if I'm wrong. So general consensus here is that RO/DI or distilled is the way to go, and it's not tremendously expensive. Also, the lighting I take it is sufficient for a FOWLR? Thanks for the sand bed calculator. On a final note, what about the stocking/CUC? Overstocked? I definitely don't want to add more, I know that. Also, I've been thinking, maybe for the first few months, when I don't have a skimmer yet, and I'm possibly not using RO/DI for PWCs (this would be a very short period of time), I should keep the bio-load low with maybe just the clowns, maybe the blenny or gramma? I'm completely and totally willing to take months and months to get it entirely running and stocked, so starting with dry rock and having a long cycle, and then just a couple fish at the beginning is completely acceptable. Thanks in Advance, octopusfingers EDIT: Sorry about the double post, any way to delete it?

09/23/2011, 05:55 AM	#8
octopusfingers Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 13	Ok, so I think I've decided to go with RO/DI, at least fOr the initial fill-up, and I'm still leanIng towards making my own rock, then seeding with about 5 lbs. Live rock. Lighting is good, stocking is good, what about test kits and a CUC? How about feeding? How much, how often, and what to feed? Thanks in Advance, Octopusfingers

09/23/2011, 06:19 AM	#9
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	For rock heres what you can do. Most places sell rubble rock for $3 a lb and usually can get live for $6-7 so but halk rubble and half live and itll cost approximately $120. Now if you can do that I recommend saving your money. By making your own you will either have things leaching out into the water or have a long cycle as you wait for your water parms to settle. There is no cheap why into this hobby. Or check craigslist and people sometimes break down their tank and sell live rock for $3/lb. Also using play sand is a bad idea in my book. They can leach silica which is bad bad bad. Skimmer isnt necessary right away though it does help so save money for a skimmer. Water is number 1 in my book. Now way around it. You can usually get it from a LFS for $.25 for RO and $.75- $1 a gallon. For a fowler you will need pH, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kits. API makes a kit for it around $30. I found these kits work fine. Your original stocking list is too big for a 29 gallon with out a skimmer. But if you dont plan on using a skimmer plan on doing at least 10% water change every week. I do it anyway and I have a skimmer Not trying to discourage you here, but if you dont have the money right now for the right stuff, then wait. If you dont feel like waiting this may not be the hobby for you cause your going to spend alot of money and also patience is very important.