Andrew's first 29g tank build

Some of you may have seen my thread in the welcome section. I have started my 29 gallon tank (my first ever saltwater). I started with my old freshwater tank, my marine land 200 filter, etc. I have purchased an Aquatic Life 115 skimmer. I added 30 lbs of sand and 25 lbs of live rock. It was originally live sand mixed with crushed coral, but I was able to sift a good bit of the coral out. I also wound up picking up a marineland 900 powerhead for $17 the other day and put in there.

I am in the process of acquiring a T5 lighting system and getting rid of the old hood, but in the mean time I replaced the old florescent bulb with a 50/50 bulb from my LFS.

My goal is to be able to do some soft corals and have a pair of clown fish. Hopefully in a month or so I can start adding some CUC. I wanted to start a thread so I can document the progress and get some input. Here is a pic of where we are now:

 

good start and good luck on your tank. I don't know about other people but I added my cuc (from reefcleaners) as it was cycling, don't know if that was bad or not but I didn't really loss and of my snails =]

oh and welcome to 3reef ;D

 

IMO you should add the CUC while it is cycling
Good Luck
JJL

 

Thanks guys... I was under the impression I need to wait until it cycled to add them. Some time next week I will run to the LFS and get me some hermits and a snail to get started.

 

you should look into reefcleaners.com there is quick crews for about any tank you can think of and it is good priced and you always get extras ;D

 

I have spent the past couple days looking at lighting and I am wanting to order something pretty soon. My original plan was a 2 bulb T5 system, but I have been wondering if that would be enough. I want to grow some corals, mainly soft ones. My tank is 30 inches long.

My other half has me on a budget since I have already spent a good bit to get this far. What will be the most economical setup that will accomplish the lighting I need? My thoughts were if I put a two bulb T5 system, I could always add another in a few months and have four bulbs.

I have seen some on eBay, but I have also read some reviews on here that recommend staying away from them. Would it be okay to buy something like this and replace the bulbs with decent bulbs? I know the ones that come with it are crap. Or is there a better option?

 

If you add the CUC when the tank is cycling you are going to need to feed them at least a little.

IMO it is better to allow some of the initial algae blooms to begin and add the CUC towards the very end of the cycle, when the ammonia and nitrite level is near 0.

Really the only 2 reason I can think of to add during the cycle is to provide a source of ammonia ( which you can do other ways) or just to have something to watch during the cycle.

JM2C

 

you should check out fish need it lights my brother has a 4 bulb over his 40 breeder and it grows sps pretty well, and the fixtures are pretty cheap. I would suggest that you buy new bulbs though when you get the money as the one that come with it are not very good but they will grow soft corals with the bulbs that come with it.

 

The top rock where the filter inlet is as well as the far left rock come out of a fellow hobbyists sump. They had a brownish green tint when I got them. They are now covered with green algae (hair?) which has came back to life on them. I know an algae outbreak can be normal for a tank, but I have also read hair algae can be a pain to deal with.

Should I remove these small rocks from the tank or leave them and let it go to the others?

 

Looking good, like the rock work