|
03/13/2009, 03:43 PM | #1 |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
29G nano reef build thread*
I've got most of my stuff ordered and everything is on its way! The majority I what I need should be here Wednesday! Figured I'd just make a thread now and get a few last pointers before I get started. I'll be adding several pictures of the process as soon as I get all the supplies, but for now I want to make sure I've got what I need and what I'll still need to get.
This is the nano check list: 3 powerheads (2 in tank, one to mix saltwater preps - Koralia brand) 2 heaters (1 in tank, 1 in saltwater mix prep) 1 refractometer tank stand substrate (coral sand) salt mix (reef crystals 50lb bag for now) test kit 2 thermometers (1 in tank, 1 in saltwater prep) algae cleaner for glass net lighting - T5 HO 4 bulb system (460 nm actinic blue lamps and 10,000K ultra daylight lamps) For now I'll be FOWLR, but once the tank is running stable, I'm gonna be splashing in the water with some corals, polyps, etc. In terms of additives and supplements, what would you guys recommend the most? A buffer to help with the pH, some sort of trace elements bottle, and iodine. What will I NEED with just the CUC and fish, and the what will I NEED when I start looking for some corals? |
03/13/2009, 06:22 PM | #2 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 727
|
I'm not sure about the additives and stuff, but you might want to get an RO unit or buy RO water from the grocery store. When you look to get corals, you should get a protein skimmer.
|
03/13/2009, 07:09 PM | #3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: St. Petersburg
Posts: 516
|
at first you don't need any additives, as the salt will do everything. Take your time and don't rush things as that is the biggest mistake you can make. Make sure any unused salt is tightly sealed or it will attract moisture and become "bad". Find a real good store to buy from even if you have to drive a bit, it's worth it.
|
03/14/2009, 01:24 AM | #4 | ||
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
Quote:
As for the protein skimmer, I figured I could get one in the future when I had corals. I haven't done too much research on them though. Something that could hang out next to the tank, or a HOB would be good. Quote:
|
||
03/14/2009, 01:02 PM | #5 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 727
|
You could get a container if you want, all I do is wrap it up really tight and call it good. I havn't had any problems doing it this way.
|
03/14/2009, 01:06 PM | #6 | |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
Quote:
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
|
03/14/2009, 01:26 PM | #7 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: St. Petersburg
Posts: 516
|
what type of T5 did you buy? I just bit the bullet and bought a Current sundial T5HO 30" 4x24 watt w/ 2 moon lights for $188 total !!!!!!! It has dual timers, fans, 1 power cord.....sweet!!!!!.
|
03/14/2009, 01:31 PM | #8 | |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
Quote:
Where did you get yours? Can you link me?
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
|
03/14/2009, 01:44 PM | #9 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: St. Petersburg
Posts: 516
|
petmountain.com have you used yours yet? how loud are the fans? Yeah it was a good deal, saved $60 over marine depot or the good Drs.
|
03/14/2009, 01:46 PM | #10 | |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
Quote:
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
|
03/14/2009, 01:48 PM | #11 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 727
|
Be sure to post pictures.
|
03/15/2009, 12:53 AM | #12 |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
Another question out there for anyone who's listening .
What exactly does semi-aggressive mean? Does it just mean that it needs to be kept away from the other corals and it'll be okay, or will it try to attack the corals from a distance, etc? Is it possible to mix some peaceful and semi-aggressive in a 30g?
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
03/17/2009, 09:31 PM | #13 |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
Alright - going to pick up about 30lbs of live rock tomorrow. I've got my mixed saltwater in the tank and I'm heating it to 78-80 degrees. Woot!
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
03/18/2009, 06:02 AM | #14 |
Registered Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: St. Petersburg
Posts: 516
|
well petmountain emailed me to say they got the light in stock, so i went and bought it, then they cancel the order because it's not in stock???? I guess it's ok i didn't really need it right now anyway.
|
03/18/2009, 09:21 AM | #15 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Easton, PA
Posts: 619
|
Semi-agresive most likely means they will be aggresive towards there own, or can be a little territorial.. it all depends on the species and on the fish... fish of the same species can be very different. A buddy of mine has a clown that sits on his hand, mine wants to rip it off!!!
Why don't you post your picks for fish.. everyone should be able to tell you their experiences. As for the skimmer... IMO. not necesary in a nano.. when you read a bit you will notice that while removing bad proteins from the water, it also removes good proteins and food for the corals. I ran a skimmer on my nano for about a month and noticed a loss in color... been skimer-less ever since and couldn't be happier... just keep up with water changes religiously. I think there is a thread somewhere with all the skimmerless tanks... I'll see if I can find it for ya.
__________________
Ricky |
03/18/2009, 04:00 PM | #16 |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
Picked up 44 pounds of live rock this morning and tossed it in the tank. Now the waiting
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
03/19/2009, 11:36 PM | #17 |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
So I've got the live rock in the tank and replaced the Koralia Nano power heads I had. I got 2 "Koralia 2s." Just wondering if this is too much flow for a 29g? I have one on the left side blowing to the right and one on the right aimed towards the front of the tank blowing to the left. I also kept a nano towards the bottom left to blow some water along the back of the tank. Should I move them else where? Should I get a Koralia 1 instead?
Sorry about the large images too. I thought I resized them on Photobucket...
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
03/20/2009, 11:42 AM | #18 |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
I've moved some of the LR to better please my tastes...
So I guess while the tank is cycling, I should start considering a CUC: Gotta have a Scarlet Skunk cleaner shrimp. Basically any hermit crab variation will do, correct? How many of these little guys should I have? As for snails -- Margarita, Cerith, Astraea, or Nassarius? One for algae and one type for detritus, right? How many of these little buggers?
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
03/20/2009, 12:07 PM | #19 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 532
|
I have same tank and have 2 K1's and it is enough flow for lps
plus my return Click the red house for some older photos I need to update |
03/20/2009, 04:18 PM | #20 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 727
|
As far as a CUC, I wouldn't do any hermit crabs. They will kill your snails for their shells. I already wish I hadn't bought any hermit crabs. For snails, I would go with 10 nassarius and 5-10 astraea snails. The nassarius for detritus and sand shifting, yes shifting, and the astraea for hair algae and diatoms.
|
03/24/2009, 11:33 PM | #21 |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
March 24th, 2009 UPDATE:
Ammonia = 0.25 Nitrite = 0.10 Nitrate = 2.5 (or the one below that - sucks being color blind ) pH = ~8.3 Alkalinity = 2.8-3.2 (a tad bit high according to my test kit slightly above the 'normal' range) SG = 1.024 This is after 6 days of throwing some cured live rock in the tank. Temperature stays at a consistent 79-80 during the day. Everything seem to be checking in okay?
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
03/25/2009, 11:32 PM | #22 |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
March 25th, 2009 UPDATE:
Lighting fixture will be here tomorrow! Unfortunately Thursdays are my long days at school. I'll be gone at 8am and won't be home until 10pm! But oh the glory when I get home!!
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
03/27/2009, 12:01 AM | #23 |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
March 26, 2009 UPDATE:
The T-5HO lighting fixture came in today and I'm so happy with it so far! It looks great and is really quiet. I'm still trying to figure out how to get the moon light LEDs to work though... Anyone else have this model and wanna share a tip? I know they won't come on unless its dark. I tried flipping the switch for them in a dark room with no lights on and nothing happened. It must be child proof . Just a few inhabitants so far to help things along... Chemistry update! pH ~ 8.3 Alkalinity = 2.8-3.0 Nitrite = 0.1 Ammonia = 0.0-0.25 (its a little in between, but more towards the 0.0 value) SG = 1.024 Nitrates = 10-20ppm So these are my chemistry values as of tonight. I'll check 'em again in a couple days. I'm just excited for my cycle to get finished . I haven't given the fish list too much thought but I figure no more than 3 fish. I have to have a false percula, but haven't given thought to the other 2 fish. A goby of some sort and maybe a firefish?
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
03/27/2009, 11:20 AM | #24 |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
What are these on my glass? Are they harmful?
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
03/27/2009, 11:31 AM | #25 |
Josh
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Riverside
Posts: 269
|
I think I found the answer on another forum. Those are some form of 'pods' and signs that the tank is doing well?
__________________
Every man dies. Not every man really lives. - William Wallace Current Tank Info: 29g mixed reef: monti cap, frogspawn, GSP, xenia, candy cane coral, zoanthids, mushrooms, pipe organ |
|
|