starting a 29 gal salty

Sarah84

Hi all

I've really wanted to start a salt water tank, I'm taking the leap!! I'm changing my 29 gal FW tank to SW. and getting a 10gallon back for FW. lol!

What are the steps to start for a SW tank? I want to start with a FOWLR I'm a week or so away from buying anything. BUT I want to start my research so my hubby is convinced i'm ready to take the leap! LOL!

So I have
the 29 gal tank
the orginal hood from the kit.
top fin 30 filter.
heater
what else do I need? I have done some research

Protien skimmer?
Power heads?


I plan on putting about 10-15 lbs of LR into the tank to start.. what about substrate? down the road i will upgrade the lighting so I can have a few corals/mushrooms.. etc..

Sarah

Chitown1

Yes, you will need some additonal stuff. A skimmer is VERY important, I would go with a Remora C for a 29, it is a hang on that actually work well and for the $$$ it cant be beat. A powerhead depends on what you plan to keep and I would loose the filter completely, if you add 1 1/2-2 LBS of live rock per gallon, it will perform all the bio filtration your tank needs and wont produce the higher nitrate levels that the filter will, the skimmer will take care of the rest. You may want to upgrade your lights as well, for a FOWLER I would go with a PC fixture and if you plan on corals down the road, at least T5 or MH would be best.

Sarah84

Okay.. so I understand everything so far Can i use my current light fixture for the time being.. and upgrade later?
As far as adding live rock...... what happens if you add it already from an established tank? i read the article I understand the concept of curing the rock (i think) I don't exactly have any space to put it in a bucket to cure... what kind of risk would i be taking?

what are the steps after you have the needed equipment to set up the tank.. can you add the LR sand/LR rock at the same time?? and then start the cycling process?

oh boy i hope im not getting in over my head
Sarah

So i was looking on craigslist...... they have 15-25 of LR for 25$ is that a good deal? It is out of his tank..... he downgraded.......... or it's taking a huge risk?
sarah

Sarah84

hiyas..... as far as lighting goes.. what should i be looking at? my lfs tried to sell me a 30" coralife.... for $300!! I just about fainted!! I want to keep corals, shrooms etc down the road..... i see petsmart online has a 24" for 169... but what do i need to look for as far as lighting goes?

sarah

Nereaga

Well it depends on what you want to keep. WIth soft coral and mushrooms, you might be able to get by with a Power Compact light. It is basically a stronger flourecant light fixture. A 50-50 mix of 10k and actinic blue works fine. I paid aroun $200 for my CP light, 48''.

With wanting some of the good corals, like hard corals, then a T5 fixture is reccommened as a minimum. A step up from that is a Metal Halide light set up. MH lighting can be VERY expensive. If I were to get a MH light set up for my tank it would run me like $600-800. Lighting is a very expensive part of a reef tank.

You might just want to start out with a FO setup or FOWLR to start and then add things as needed.

Sarah84

so something like this??
http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...life&N=2023693

boy there's lots more to know than FW
Sarah

gm333

For the price I would look into a t-5 system. They are a little more expensive, but in the long run you wont have to rplace them when you decide to go with more light demanding corals. This guy is a 24" moonlight combo and puts out 96wts of light. http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS...putt5fixture24
I currently own one and love it, have never had a single problem with it.

Nereaga

Big Al's has some good prices. A 48'' T5 fixture is only $399.99. Not bad. Do you buy from this place a lot GM? Whats the feedback?? Thanks

gm333

I have for a coupls of years now and have never had a problem.

Chitown1

Sarah,
Check your PM's.