29 gallon starter

Gluestick · 02/21/2006, 01:52 PM

Well, looks like I'm going to have to put my 90 gallon project on hold... To tide me over I am going to start up a 29 gallon FOWLR tank. Can I keep anemones if I have PC lighting? Also, I don't want to go with a sump on this one. Can I get away with a bio-wheel like an emporer? Also, what is a good, inexpensive HOB skimmer for a smaller tank? I'd like to keep a couple clowns, an anemone, and some inverts like shrimp and crabs. Is this going to be possible?

Pandora · 02/21/2006, 02:01 PM

Hi Gluestick,

There are some anemones that require lower lighting than others. However, I'd just say to hold off on the anemone idea for now, since you haven't even set up the tank yet, and as I think you'll read here, anemones need a really stable tank environment to do well in. If you do a FOWLR, you can do a biowheel. Honestly, most quality skimmers do cost $$ regardless of whether they are in sump or HOB, but sometimes you can also find good bargains on eBay... depends on whether the seller is trustworthy. So I would hold off on the anemone idea and set it up for the other animals. You can keep hairy mushrooms, which are much easier to keep, and many times clowns will also allow them to host them.

tblue · 02/21/2006, 08:17 PM

You could start out with an emperor....I did, but then quickly realized that a skimmer was a better way to go. I still use the emperor to run carbon from time to time. I'm currently using a CPR Bak Pak HOB. It does a reasonable job on my 29. I wouldn't use it for much more.

I have a 120 sitting in the garage waiting to be installed in a wall. When I do the upgrade, I'm going to move the CPR over to a 35 Gal hex I've wanted to experiment with.......I'm hoping it will support that tank.

Gluestick · 02/21/2006, 10:18 PM

I was planning on a bio-wheel AND h.o.b. skimmer. What kind of filtration do you suggest if not a biowheel - i do not want to go the sump route on this tank. I am not going to put in an anemone for at least 4-6 mo. after setup until the tank is established, btw.

Gluestick · 02/21/2006, 10:20 PM

PS. can i keep shrimp and crabs in the tank too?

tblue · 02/22/2006, 02:09 PM

I have a peppermint shrimp and many hermit crabs. I wouldn't think it would be a problem, just watch how much load you put on your tank overall. I would consider your rock work when purchasing a crab. Some larger crabs could move/shift rocks.

crumbletop · 02/22/2006, 07:04 PM

If you're concerned about filtration, get some cured LR for the 29. You'll have lots less of a cycle with that. If you go the biowheel route, you'll have to fully cycle the tank basically from scratch. I started with a 29 gal, with around 40 lbs of LR in there, and an AquaC remora HOB skimmer and a powerhead for circulation.

Jack

bertoni · 02/22/2006, 07:08 PM

I'd avoid the bio-wheel altogether. They can lead to a higher nitrate level, and the live rock should do the filtration.

There are some mini-carpet anemones that will do well in a 29g, but I wouldn't try any of the more standard anemones in that size tank if you want to keep fish with it. I have an Entacmaea quadricolor (BTA) in a 29g with a 150 W MH and no fish, and that seems to be a lot of filtration load. They get to be about a foot across, which is about the size of mine.

02/21/2006, 01:52 PM	#1
Gluestick Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 1,710	29 gallon starter Well, looks like I'm going to have to put my 90 gallon project on hold... To tide me over I am going to start up a 29 gallon FOWLR tank. Can I keep anemones if I have PC lighting? Also, I don't want to go with a sump on this one. Can I get away with a bio-wheel like an emporer? Also, what is a good, inexpensive HOB skimmer for a smaller tank? I'd like to keep a couple clowns, an anemone, and some inverts like shrimp and crabs. Is this going to be possible?

02/21/2006, 02:01 PM	#2
Pandora Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Maryland near DC Posts: 1,706	Hi Gluestick, There are some anemones that require lower lighting than others. However, I'd just say to hold off on the anemone idea for now, since you haven't even set up the tank yet, and as I think you'll read here, anemones need a really stable tank environment to do well in. If you do a FOWLR, you can do a biowheel. Honestly, most quality skimmers do cost $$ regardless of whether they are in sump or HOB, but sometimes you can also find good bargains on eBay... depends on whether the seller is trustworthy. So I would hold off on the anemone idea and set it up for the other animals. You can keep hairy mushrooms, which are much easier to keep, and many times clowns will also allow them to host them. __________________ Where are we going... And why am I in this handbasket? Current Tank Info: 75gal reef tank, 30 gal octopus tank, Other: 75gal planted Amazon tank

02/21/2006, 10:18 PM	#4
Gluestick Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 1,710	I was planning on a bio-wheel AND h.o.b. skimmer. What kind of filtration do you suggest if not a biowheel - i do not want to go the sump route on this tank. I am not going to put in an anemone for at least 4-6 mo. after setup until the tank is established, btw. __________________ Valerie R. Burns Founder/Vice President Joliet Area Reef Club Current Tank Info: 90 gal SPS dominated, ASM-G2 skimmer, 2x250w 20k SE Radium bulbs under Lumenarc Mini Reflectors

02/21/2006, 10:20 PM	#5
Gluestick Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 1,710	PS. can i keep shrimp and crabs in the tank too? __________________ Valerie R. Burns Founder/Vice President Joliet Area Reef Club Current Tank Info: 90 gal SPS dominated, ASM-G2 skimmer, 2x250w 20k SE Radium bulbs under Lumenarc Mini Reflectors

02/22/2006, 07:04 PM	#7
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	If you're concerned about filtration, get some cured LR for the 29. You'll have lots less of a cycle with that. If you go the biowheel route, you'll have to fully cycle the tank basically from scratch. I started with a 29 gal, with around 40 lbs of LR in there, and an AquaC remora HOB skimmer and a powerhead for circulation. Jack __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

02/21/2006, 08:17 PM	#3
tblue Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Aiken -- SC Posts: 57	You could start out with an emperor....I did, but then quickly realized that a skimmer was a better way to go. I still use the emperor to run carbon from time to time. I'm currently using a CPR Bak Pak HOB. It does a reasonable job on my 29. I wouldn't use it for much more. I have a 120 sitting in the garage waiting to be installed in a wall. When I do the upgrade, I'm going to move the CPR over to a 35 Gal hex I've wanted to experiment with.......I'm hoping it will support that tank.

02/22/2006, 02:09 PM	#6
tblue Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Aiken -- SC Posts: 57	I have a peppermint shrimp and many hermit crabs. I wouldn't think it would be a problem, just watch how much load you put on your tank overall. I would consider your rock work when purchasing a crab. Some larger crabs could move/shift rocks.

02/22/2006, 07:08 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd avoid the bio-wheel altogether. They can lead to a higher nitrate level, and the live rock should do the filtration. There are some mini-carpet anemones that will do well in a 29g, but I wouldn't try any of the more standard anemones in that size tank if you want to keep fish with it. I have an Entacmaea quadricolor (BTA) in a 29g with a 150 W MH and no fish, and that seems to be a lot of filtration load. They get to be about a foot across, which is about the size of mine. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni