Starting a 29 gallon, NEW to this

NomisRider23 · 04/07/2011, 11:08 AM

Hello

So Im kinda new to the salt tank community, i used to do alot of fresh water stuff - so i guess im just looking for some advice to start
As of now, im running a 29 gallon, and added my saltwater a few days ago, along with my live sand yesterday! this is what i have...so far:
-Aquaclear 50 filter
-Koralia evolution 750gph powerhead
-Fluval heater (rated up to 75 gallons)
-T8 Fluorescent lights

*One thing im wondering is if i should change out my florescent lights, and just upgrade to a T5 right away?

*Also, when can i add live rock in? I would like to start the cycle a.s.a.p...and i am planning on putting cured live rock in (from a local reef store).

THANKS!

bnumair · 04/07/2011, 11:17 AM

u should add live rock right away and throw in a piece of table shrimp that would produce ammonia and thus start ur cycle. also ur T5's depends on what ugonna keep in future. if u gonna keep corals then u need good lights. softies u can get away with T8 or T5 but for SPS u gonna need more intense like Metal Halide or Strong LED.

JHawlz9989 · 04/07/2011, 11:39 AM

I would recommend a lighting upgrade of some sort. Having spent money on a DIY light fixture, and being fed up with it and upgrading, all I can say is I wish I had spent the money on a good fixture to begin with. It really is an integral piece of equipment, and the difference I have seen between mediocre lights and good lights is something to appreciate. In the long run, everybody wins.

Personally, I had 4 18" flourescents in my 20 long and I have an aquaticlife fixture due to arrive tomorrow. Life will certainly be easier.

Josh

NomisRider23 · 04/07/2011, 02:09 PM

I just went to the store and bought some live rock, i'll post pictures!

NomisRider23 · 04/07/2011, 02:53 PM

* disregard the fogginess to the tank, its from the sand getting kicked up when i put the live rock in

NomisRider23 · 04/07/2011, 04:49 PM

1st timer · 04/07/2011, 05:18 PM

I like the shape of that piece. I agree with bnumair regarding the lights, it mostly depends on what you want to keep. If your light has 2 lamps at least get 1 actinic lamp for it for now.

NomisRider23 · 04/07/2011, 06:32 PM

Yeah that's with the T8 right now, I'm trying to get a T5 next week sometime...dumb question though, does a 2 or 4 light fixture make a difference? regarding corals and fish?

CLisPRO · 04/07/2011, 08:39 PM

yes you want more light so you can have more types of corals but it really dosent matter with fish

NomisRider23 · 04/07/2011, 08:58 PM

thanks for the help so far guys! i also was curious, what could possibly be growing on my rocks already...its a pink/purple tinted looking algae...i know it sounds silly, but im new to this like i said.

NomisRider23 · 04/07/2011, 09:11 PM

My camera can't really pic it up all the well, check out my video too...maybe you can see it in that... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tobNVJ3jwfw

04/07/2011, 11:08 AM	#1
NomisRider23 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH & Findlay, OH Posts: 82	Starting a 29 gallon, NEW to this Hello So Im kinda new to the salt tank community, i used to do alot of fresh water stuff - so i guess im just looking for some advice to start As of now, im running a 29 gallon, and added my saltwater a few days ago, along with my live sand yesterday! this is what i have...so far: -Aquaclear 50 filter -Koralia evolution 750gph powerhead -Fluval heater (rated up to 75 gallons) -T8 Fluorescent lights One thing im wondering is if i should change out my florescent lights, and just upgrade to a T5 right away? Also, when can i add live rock in? I would like to start the cycle a.s.a.p...and i am planning on putting cured live rock in (from a local reef store). THANKS!

04/07/2011, 11:17 AM	#2
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	u should add live rock right away and throw in a piece of table shrimp that would produce ammonia and thus start ur cycle. also ur T5's depends on what ugonna keep in future. if u gonna keep corals then u need good lights. softies u can get away with T8 or T5 but for SPS u gonna need more intense like Metal Halide or Strong LED. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

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04/07/2011, 11:39 AM	#3
JHawlz9989 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 270	I would recommend a lighting upgrade of some sort. Having spent money on a DIY light fixture, and being fed up with it and upgrading, all I can say is I wish I had spent the money on a good fixture to begin with. It really is an integral piece of equipment, and the difference I have seen between mediocre lights and good lights is something to appreciate. In the long run, everybody wins. Personally, I had 4 18" flourescents in my 20 long and I have an aquaticlife fixture due to arrive tomorrow. Life will certainly be easier. Josh

04/07/2011, 02:09 PM	#4
NomisRider23 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH & Findlay, OH Posts: 82	I just went to the store and bought some live rock, i'll post pictures!

04/07/2011, 02:53 PM	#5
NomisRider23 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH & Findlay, OH Posts: 82	* disregard the fogginess to the tank, its from the sand getting kicked up when i put the live rock in

04/07/2011, 04:49 PM	#6
NomisRider23 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH & Findlay, OH Posts: 82

04/07/2011, 05:18 PM	#7
1st timer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 204	I like the shape of that piece. I agree with bnumair regarding the lights, it mostly depends on what you want to keep. If your light has 2 lamps at least get 1 actinic lamp for it for now.

04/07/2011, 06:32 PM	#8
NomisRider23 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH & Findlay, OH Posts: 82	Yeah that's with the T8 right now, I'm trying to get a T5 next week sometime...dumb question though, does a 2 or 4 light fixture make a difference? regarding corals and fish?

04/07/2011, 08:39 PM	#9
CLisPRO Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 66	yes you want more light so you can have more types of corals but it really dosent matter with fish

04/07/2011, 08:58 PM	#10
NomisRider23 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH & Findlay, OH Posts: 82	thanks for the help so far guys! i also was curious, what could possibly be growing on my rocks already...its a pink/purple tinted looking algae...i know it sounds silly, but im new to this like i said.

04/07/2011, 09:11 PM	#11
NomisRider23 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cleveland, OH & Findlay, OH Posts: 82	My camera can't really pic it up all the well, check out my video too...maybe you can see it in that... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tobNVJ3jwfw