29G reef tank checklist! Help!

[saltsavage]

So I am going to start my first ever reef tank in a 29g tank. Just want to make sure I have everything I need to promote a happy and healthy habitat. Below is the checklist I found, let me know if I have every thing!

29g tank
Heater
Protein skimmer
Powerhead
25lb dry Marco rock
5-8lb seed live rock
30lb of aragonite sand


Need to know what kind of lighting and hood to get!

 

[Diesel]

Oh boy!! ;)

Light LED, or T5 are good for a 29 gallon
sump (maybe)
Test kits, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph, at first later on ALK, CAL MAG
Salt if you want to mix your own saltwater.
If you do mix your own salt water you need a RODI filter.
10 gallon quarantine tank + meds

I leave some open for other members to chime in as this is a good thread for our new members to follow.

 

[saltsavage]

I'll probably buy my own salt water so I don't have to worry about messing it up haha. Why the extra tank?

 

[saltsavage]

And can you explain the sump to me I see it everywhere but not sure what the heck is going on

 

[Delta1389]

If you do the sump do it before you add water. I have a 29 reef and have been wanting to add a sump but won't because I'm not emptying my tank to drill it for the overflow. The sump is basically an extra tank below you display tank that houses all of you equipment so that it doesn't clutter your display and also adds extra water volume.

 

[saltsavage]

Ohh yea I'm not too worried about that. I'll skip the sump

 

[saltsavage]

For myself and all the new guys in here...can anyone give a quick play by play from empty tank to fish?

Tank, sand and rock in, water in....then what? Cleaning crew? Cycle? When do you test? When do you add fish etc?

As a new tank owner we all know the general ways and processes to do things, but what are some tricks and lessons you've learned

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Ato ato ato.:D

 

[saltsavage]

Not sure what that means

 

[Nano101]

Not sure what that means

ATO=auto top pff. I love my auto Aqua ato micron my 12 gal

 

[Nano101]

Surprised no one mentioned a skimmer yet

 

[Delta1389]

He said it in his op.

 

[Nano101]

He said it in his op.

My bad.

 

[saltsavage]

When do y'all put the cleaning crew in? What do you think is a solid crew?

 

[Nano101]

I always heard 1 critter per gallon, but that's just what I've heard. I real like nassurus snails for moving the sand bed, along with a variety of crabs and some other snails.

 

[Delta1389]

When do y'all put the cleaning crew in? What do you think is a solid crew?

After the tank cycles

 

[Nano101]

So I am going to start my first ever reef tank in a 29g tank. Just want to make sure I have everything I need to promote a happy and healthy habitat. Below is the checklist I found, let me know if I have every thing!

29g tank
Heater
Protein skimmer
Powerhead
25lb dry Marco rock
5-8lb seed live rock
30lb of aragonite sand


Need to know what kind of lighting and hood to get!

I'd recommend a screen lid and an LED light. I am partial to my AI prime hd. What type of skimmer are you looking for? HOB?

 

[saltsavage]

Y'all are killing me with the abbreviations haha..not sure. What do you suggest?

 

[Delta1389]

Y'all are killing me with the abbreviations haha..not sure. What do you suggest?

HOB = hang on back
I personally have a reef octopus BH1000 on my 29. Works pretty good but still makes a good bit of micro bubbles.

 

[jamesbog283]

So I am going to start my first ever reef tank in a 29g tank. Just want to make sure I have everything I need to promote a happy and healthy habitat. Below is the checklist I found, let me know if I have every thing!

29g tank
Heater
Protein skimmer
Powerhead
25lb dry Marco rock
5-8lb seed live rock
30lb of aragonite sand


Need to know what kind of lighting and hood to get!

I just set up my first tank it's also a 29 gal. I wish I could have done a sump but I didn't have room. I'm using the tunze 9004 skimmer. It was a bit of a pain to set up but its working great now. I just bought the 185 watt maxspect razor. I wanted to have a large enough light to upgrade my tank later without having to buy new lights.