New 29g FOWLR set up

omgzloljk · 09/08/2007, 01:42 PM

Hey everyone, I've been interested in keeping a saltwater aquarium for a few years now, but have only recently began to take the interest seriously. I've been lurking a few different forums, and I am now starting to get my aquarium started. I plan to set up a FOWLR, peaceful, community tank, with perhaps some basic beginning corals in the distant future.

I've been mainly following the guidelines described in The New Marine Aquarist, by Paletta, and some of the generally accepted methods I've read online.

So far, this is what I have,

36"x16"x13" inch tank (described as a 29g "breeder") which actually only required 25 gallons to fill

Emperor 400 HOB filter (currently I am only using one of the included activated carbon filters)

Visitherm Stealth 100W heater

Aquaclear 50 Powerhead

Also, I plan to purchase a twin tube lighting system, 20lbs of aragonite, and 20 lbs of live rock today. When my budget allows for it I would like to add a protein skimmer.

Here are a few pictures of what I have so:
(Sorry about the quality, the only camera available is the one on my phone)

A close up of the heater/powerhead, attached to the end of the tank opposing the filter. (Note: The lighting pictured was used only for the picture)

Here is the powerhead with the bubbler thing turned all the way up.

Here is a list of my parameters so far
Temp: 78*F (Not exactly what I want, I was hoping for closer to 75*, but the water has yet to cool from a few days of hot weather

Nitrides: 0 (of course)

Alkalinity:300

ph:8.2

Specific gravity: 1.0225

According to what I've read, these are all acceptable parameters, with perhaps the temperature being a bit too high and the specific gravity too low.

I have a few questions:

1. Currently I am using two 18" hoods to cover the tank, as my tank had a crossbar across the middle. I plan on purchasing a twin tube lighting fixture, with one white fluorescent bulb and one blue actinic bulb. Should I buy one 36" fixture or two 18" fixtures for lighting. Or does it not make a big difference?

2. Would a protein skimmer be absolutely vital for a set up of my size? I do not plan (right now) to have a very heavy bioload, especially in the beginning. Could I get by without one for a while?

3. What is the best placement of powerheads/ heaters. Right now I have my powerhead and heater on the end of the tank opposing the filter. I was hoping that the powerhead would move the heated water throughout the tank, and hopefully some of the wastes back towards the filter. Is this correct, or is my thinking flawed?

4. How sensitive is live rock to temp changes, salinity, and ph levels? Will 20lbs of pacific (fiji and perhaps tonga branch) live rock be adequate?

5. Should I reduce the flow of my powerhead? It is rated for a 50 gallon aquarium and it combined with my filter seem to be creating a strong current. Also, what is the benefit of adding bubbles to the powerhead, improved aeration and gas exchange?

7. How do you adjust the flow on a Emperor 400 filter, I've read online that there is a quick adjustment knob or something like that, but I can't seem to find any such thing on my filter.

As far as stocking goes, I plan to add a cleaner crew after my tank cycles, and a pair of Ocellaris clowns once it appears stable. After that, I haven't made up my mind. Any suggestions?

I hope this post hasn't been too long or boring, and my questions are clear enough, I would like to thank everyone who repeatedly answers the same questions on this forum, as I have learned a lot just reading about others mistakes, although I'm sure I will make (or already have made) some of my own.

michaeljames · 09/08/2007, 04:24 PM

first off, welcome to Reef Central! and to answer some questions... go with the 36" bulbs, more cost effective. You can get away without a skimmer for awhile, just be good about water changes. powerhead placement is fine, however you'll want to stop the bubbles, no need for them as long as the top of the water is moving you'll have enough areation. LR is not to picky about your levels, but you listed your Alk at 300? maybe 3.0? and lastley you won't need the HOB filter, the live rock will do the job, just don't wait to long to get a skimmer! Best of luck!

bigfruits · 09/08/2007, 07:19 PM

1. get a 36" fixture. if you plan on doing coral in the future id go ahead and buy a t5 fixture.

2. dont worry about the skimmer yet. make sure you cycle the tank before you buy livestock. add fish one at a time and test your water.

3. try to place your power heads so that there are no "dead spots" where waste can accumulate.

4. try to keep the temps and salinity as close as possible to your desired reef parameters. if they are not exact, dont worry its very hard to kill off all the bacteria on your rock. 20lbs should be ok, i wouldnt use any less, add more if it looks empty to you.

5. more flow the better. as long as it doesnt stress your fish or kick up sand.

6. cant help you on the emporer question...

the more questions you ask, the more chances for success you will have. just remember there are many ways to do this and you will get alot of opinions (like mine above). ask more questions and do as much research as you can.

good luck
-z

omgzloljk · 09/08/2007, 10:32 PM

Thanks for the responses guys. I went ahead and bought a 36" T5 twin tube light. The only problem is that the store I bought it from didn't carry bulbs for it, and neither did any stores in my area. I plan on ordering some online, any suggestions? I've been given 3 different suggestions on bulb choice, using one white one blue actinic, two 50-50 blue/white bulbs, and using one blue and one 50/50. What have you guys had success with?

09/08/2007, 01:42 PM	#1
omgzloljk Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 12	New 29g FOWLR set up Hey everyone, I've been interested in keeping a saltwater aquarium for a few years now, but have only recently began to take the interest seriously. I've been lurking a few different forums, and I am now starting to get my aquarium started. I plan to set up a FOWLR, peaceful, community tank, with perhaps some basic beginning corals in the distant future. I've been mainly following the guidelines described in The New Marine Aquarist, by Paletta, and some of the generally accepted methods I've read online. So far, this is what I have, 36"x16"x13" inch tank (described as a 29g "breeder") which actually only required 25 gallons to fill Emperor 400 HOB filter (currently I am only using one of the included activated carbon filters) Visitherm Stealth 100W heater Aquaclear 50 Powerhead Also, I plan to purchase a twin tube lighting system, 20lbs of aragonite, and 20 lbs of live rock today. When my budget allows for it I would like to add a protein skimmer. Here are a few pictures of what I have so: (Sorry about the quality, the only camera available is the one on my phone) A close up of the heater/powerhead, attached to the end of the tank opposing the filter. (Note: The lighting pictured was used only for the picture) Here is the powerhead with the bubbler thing turned all the way up. Here is a list of my parameters so far Temp: 78F (Not exactly what I want, I was hoping for closer to 75, but the water has yet to cool from a few days of hot weather Nitrides: 0 (of course) Alkalinity:300 ph:8.2 Specific gravity: 1.0225 According to what I've read, these are all acceptable parameters, with perhaps the temperature being a bit too high and the specific gravity too low. I have a few questions: 1. Currently I am using two 18" hoods to cover the tank, as my tank had a crossbar across the middle. I plan on purchasing a twin tube lighting fixture, with one white fluorescent bulb and one blue actinic bulb. Should I buy one 36" fixture or two 18" fixtures for lighting. Or does it not make a big difference? 2. Would a protein skimmer be absolutely vital for a set up of my size? I do not plan (right now) to have a very heavy bioload, especially in the beginning. Could I get by without one for a while? 3. What is the best placement of powerheads/ heaters. Right now I have my powerhead and heater on the end of the tank opposing the filter. I was hoping that the powerhead would move the heated water throughout the tank, and hopefully some of the wastes back towards the filter. Is this correct, or is my thinking flawed? 4. How sensitive is live rock to temp changes, salinity, and ph levels? Will 20lbs of pacific (fiji and perhaps tonga branch) live rock be adequate? 5. Should I reduce the flow of my powerhead? It is rated for a 50 gallon aquarium and it combined with my filter seem to be creating a strong current. Also, what is the benefit of adding bubbles to the powerhead, improved aeration and gas exchange? 7. How do you adjust the flow on a Emperor 400 filter, I've read online that there is a quick adjustment knob or something like that, but I can't seem to find any such thing on my filter. As far as stocking goes, I plan to add a cleaner crew after my tank cycles, and a pair of Ocellaris clowns once it appears stable. After that, I haven't made up my mind. Any suggestions? I hope this post hasn't been too long or boring, and my questions are clear enough, I would like to thank everyone who repeatedly answers the same questions on this forum, as I have learned a lot just reading about others mistakes, although I'm sure I will make (or already have made) some of my own.

09/08/2007, 04:24 PM	#2
michaeljames Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 737	first off, welcome to Reef Central! and to answer some questions... go with the 36" bulbs, more cost effective. You can get away without a skimmer for awhile, just be good about water changes. powerhead placement is fine, however you'll want to stop the bubbles, no need for them as long as the top of the water is moving you'll have enough areation. LR is not to picky about your levels, but you listed your Alk at 300? maybe 3.0? and lastley you won't need the HOB filter, the live rock will do the job, just don't wait to long to get a skimmer! Best of luck! __________________ "This tastes like crap!" "Well here, try it with some selcon and garlic..." Current Tank Info: 180g RR AGA 2 x 250w SE MH 1 x 175 SE MH 2 x 6' Super atinic VHO Iwaki 100 return Reef Octopus Skimmer

09/08/2007, 07:19 PM	#3
bigfruits Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NOVA Posts: 406	1. get a 36" fixture. if you plan on doing coral in the future id go ahead and buy a t5 fixture. 2. dont worry about the skimmer yet. make sure you cycle the tank before you buy livestock. add fish one at a time and test your water. 3. try to place your power heads so that there are no "dead spots" where waste can accumulate. 4. try to keep the temps and salinity as close as possible to your desired reef parameters. if they are not exact, dont worry its very hard to kill off all the bacteria on your rock. 20lbs should be ok, i wouldnt use any less, add more if it looks empty to you. 5. more flow the better. as long as it doesnt stress your fish or kick up sand. 6. cant help you on the emporer question... the more questions you ask, the more chances for success you will have. just remember there are many ways to do this and you will get alot of opinions (like mine above). ask more questions and do as much research as you can. good luck -z

09/08/2007, 10:32 PM	#4
omgzloljk Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 12	Thanks for the responses guys. I went ahead and bought a 36" T5 twin tube light. The only problem is that the store I bought it from didn't carry bulbs for it, and neither did any stores in my area. I plan on ordering some online, any suggestions? I've been given 3 different suggestions on bulb choice, using one white one blue actinic, two 50-50 blue/white bulbs, and using one blue and one 50/50. What have you guys had success with?