First Tank Build - 29 Gallon

[FindinNemo]

First time SW Reefer. I am getting started into this hobby with a 29 gallon (30" L, 12" W, 18" T).

The following equipment I have;

• TopFin Silenstream PF30 (3-stage)
• Dual head AQQA wave maker
• RO Buddie 4-stage
• Live rock
• MarinePure Biofilter Media Gems
• CaribSea - Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand
• Instant Ocean Sea Salt - Purple
• Nicrew HyperReef 100w with controller
• 100w TopFin Heater
• Kason Aquarium Stand (White)

Nitrogen Cycle
I will be using FritzZyme 9 Salt Water and Dr. Tims Ammonia Chloride to begin the cycle on the tank.

Fish
My current fish wish list as of now with start with;
2 - clowns (1 Black Saddle and 1 Orange Clown)
1 - Royal Gramma

CUC
Eventually once the tank becomes established with some Algae growth a CUC of something along the lines of ;

• 2 or 3 red or blue legged hermits
• a couple Nassarius Snails
• Tiger Conch

Corals
A couple months down the line, I plan to add Corals TBD. (Some anemones, Zoa’s, GSP, Kenya Tree, Pulsing Xenia,

Progress
As I wait for my aquarium stand to come in I have my tank temporarily on the dining room table, I have began aquascaping my live rock as seen below;

Plans
Once the stand is in, I can then begin filling the tank and starting the Nitrogen Cycle!

Any tips or recommendations are appreciated!

 

[mmorrison55]

Congrats and welcome to the hobby.

 

[Aquadude1]

Looks nice! Only suggestion, with the wave maker (depending on the power) make sure it is pointed more towards glass and not towards coral. It may end up being a little much for that length

 

[Miami Reef]

Seems like you’re off to a great start!

 

[FindinNemo]

Update: Have mostly everything set up. Added about 94 drops of Dr. Tims Ammonia Chloride (30 gal * 0.8 = 24 *4 = 96), paired with a bottle of FritzZyme 9 bacteria. Going to test the water parameters tonight. Also have some Marine Pure Gems in the filter compartment to help the cycle.

*Needing to order some black backing to hide the cords. Any examples of what others used?

Salinity: 1.028 (I tend to knock to down a bit with some more RO water)
Temperature: 25.1 deg C

 

[FindinNemo]

Parameters tested;

Ammonia 2ppm

P.H 8.0

Nitrite 0 ppm

Nitrate 0 ppm

 

[Aquadude1]

Looking good! Is that one of the gen 1 or 2 nicrews

 

[mpatterson42]

Welcome aboard! For the back, it's a little too late to paint it, but you could either put construction paper back there, or if you can't find a piece big enough Home Depot sells white foam project boards that you could cut to size and paint and stick on the back.

While I'm sure this setup could work (genuinely interested in following along) most saltwater reefers have a lot more filtration, either with an All In One setup in the back with multiple layers of filtration, or a dedicated sump down below. Hang On Back (HOB) filters exist as well, and you may want to look into HOB Protein Skimmers, HOB Refugiums, as well so co2 scrubbers (if you're planning coral) and others.

You might also want to look at the Seachem Tidal HOB Filter to replace the Silenstream, most saltwater filtration happens by skimming the surface water rather than sucking the water out from the water column. While the Tidal still sucks water from the column it also does some surface skimming as well.

Best of luck!

 

[FindinNemo]

Looking good! Is that one of the gen 1 or 2 nicrews

It is gen 1!

 

[FindinNemo]

 

[FindinNemo]

Update; have the seachem 6500 55 power filter added as well as a ATO.
January 13th

Salinity 1.026

Temp; 25.3

Ammonia 2.0ppm

Nitrite 0.25 ppm

Nitrate 2.5 ppm



Jan 16th

Salinity 1.027

Temp 25.4

Ammonia 0.5 ppm

Nitrite 1.0 ppm

Nitrate 2.5ppm



Jan 19th

Salinity 1.026

Temp 25.7

PH 7.8-8.0 ppm

Ammonia 0.25 ppm

Nitrite between 2-5 ppm

Nitrate 5 ppm

Am I ready for fish?

 

[Northern Flicker]

Not yet but close. Test again in 5 days!

 

[Northern Flicker]

Welcome aboard! For the back, it's a little too late to paint it, but you could either put construction paper back there, or if you can't find a piece big enough Home Depot sells white foam project boards that you could cut to size and paint and stick on the back.

While I'm sure this setup could work (genuinely interested in following along) most saltwater reefers have a lot more filtration, either with an All In One setup in the back with multiple layers of filtration, or a dedicated sump down below. Hang On Back (HOB) filters exist as well, and you may want to look into HOB Protein Skimmers, HOB Refugiums, as well so co2 scrubbers (if you're planning coral) and others.

You might also want to look at the Seachem Tidal HOB Filter to replace the Silenstream, most saltwater filtration happens by skimming the surface water rather than sucking the water out from the water column. While the Tidal still sucks water from the column it also does some surface skimming as well.

Best of luck!

I actually have less filtration - and I grow SPS like weeds most of what you mentioned is not at all necessary for all someone looking to go low budget.

 

[FindinNemo]

I actually have less filtration - and I grow SPS like weeds most of what you mentioned is not at all necessary for all someone looking to go low budget.

Nice tank! Do you have UV or anything?

 

[Northern Flicker]

Nice tank! Do you have UV or anything?

No, but I only keep tank bred fish from a trusted source so disease is not as likely.

My only equipment are heaters, wavemakers, and Eheim Skim 350 (surface skimmer), a dosing pump for All For Reef and my lights.

It’s very basic, but I stick to the fundamentals.

 

[bangcamaro]

Cool looking scape! Looking forward to seeing progress. Following!