Hello! My name is Jade. Just introducing myself - I’m new to reef to reef and used to have freshwater tanks and terrariums.
Just wanted to share my 29 gallon (video attached). I did post a question about my clownfish earlier and people are very helpful and respectful so thanks for that.
((I need to start with I had no expectations, I was okay with potentially wasting money because I have debilitating seasonal depression (Maryland) and this was something I could spend all my extra time on since bars are no longer my hobby
I was okay with failing because I love experimenting))
I work very part time so I’m home and able to fiddle with the tank every day. I’m watching reef videos on YouTube always - playing in the background while I’m taking care of the house. “What’s up reefers” is pretty much a stim in my head at this point
Definitely pushed the envelope on how many fish I got in the tank within 2 months but saw success with others who have the time that I do.
Here’s what I did
We’re cycled at this point:
I started with hermits then alternated between buying fish and coral every 2 weeks adding more CUC variety as well. Noting that the diamond goby was an intentional of the first few fish to get that sand sifted.
I dosed prime, microbacter, Red Sea AB+,
Phyto, copepods, all for reef. Every day except Red Sea every other- to every 3 days.
I bought grape caulipera for copepods to have hiding spaces and to assist in the nitrogen cycle. With a few other macros.
I also knew my method was not traditional and may end up horribly so I cycled a second tank for isolation// if someone needs to be removed (it wasn’t needed so far).
I reefscaped with mainly dry live rock but went to LFS to get some actual wet live rock from them. This established some coralline algae.
Everyone eats frozen Mermaid blend which has about 20 different seafood chunked/blended.
I have 2 filters that hang on the back of the tank (literally got an extra for free). I did two for extra flow but also so I could change filters in stages without getting rid of my good biome. But I started with that incase this went awfully but I’m loving it so I’m currently building my own sump.
I know this isn’t a normal way so please don’t yell at me I’m not advising anyone to do this I’m just simply sharing my experience and how it worked
My isolation tank was cycled (no fish) per textbook.
3 bumble bee snails
3 peppermint shrimp
4 Trochus snails
6 star snails
25 red/blue hermits
1 electric blue hermit
4 nassarius snails
2 turbo snails
1 tiger conch
1 tuxedo urchin
1 fire shrimp
1 pistol shrimp
1 brittle star
2 clowns
Gramma basslet
6 line wrasse
Aptasia file fish
Yellow watchman goby (bonded w pistol)
Diamond goby
2 damsels
1 orchid dottyback
Regrets: probably posting this because I know I’m about to get ROASTED. But actually, the peppermint shrimp. Those ****ers ate my hammer coral in about 2 hours (u can see the Skelton in the video).
View attachment 20260119_23643 PM_0DE49D08-C4AD-49EB-8AA4-43DE313DD500.mov
Me in a real reef// where I think I am after I take an edible and watch my little tank
Just wanted to share my 29 gallon (video attached). I did post a question about my clownfish earlier and people are very helpful and respectful so thanks for that.
((I need to start with I had no expectations, I was okay with potentially wasting money because I have debilitating seasonal depression (Maryland) and this was something I could spend all my extra time on since bars are no longer my hobby
I was okay with failing because I love experimenting))I work very part time so I’m home and able to fiddle with the tank every day. I’m watching reef videos on YouTube always - playing in the background while I’m taking care of the house. “What’s up reefers” is pretty much a stim in my head at this point
Definitely pushed the envelope on how many fish I got in the tank within 2 months but saw success with others who have the time that I do.
Here’s what I did
We’re cycled at this point:
I started with hermits then alternated between buying fish and coral every 2 weeks adding more CUC variety as well. Noting that the diamond goby was an intentional of the first few fish to get that sand sifted.
I dosed prime, microbacter, Red Sea AB+,
Phyto, copepods, all for reef. Every day except Red Sea every other- to every 3 days.
I bought grape caulipera for copepods to have hiding spaces and to assist in the nitrogen cycle. With a few other macros.
I also knew my method was not traditional and may end up horribly so I cycled a second tank for isolation// if someone needs to be removed (it wasn’t needed so far).
I reefscaped with mainly dry live rock but went to LFS to get some actual wet live rock from them. This established some coralline algae.
Everyone eats frozen Mermaid blend which has about 20 different seafood chunked/blended.
I have 2 filters that hang on the back of the tank (literally got an extra for free). I did two for extra flow but also so I could change filters in stages without getting rid of my good biome. But I started with that incase this went awfully but I’m loving it so I’m currently building my own sump.
I know this isn’t a normal way so please don’t yell at me I’m not advising anyone to do this I’m just simply sharing my experience and how it worked
My isolation tank was cycled (no fish) per textbook.
3 bumble bee snails
3 peppermint shrimp
4 Trochus snails
6 star snails
25 red/blue hermits
1 electric blue hermit
4 nassarius snails
2 turbo snails
1 tiger conch
1 tuxedo urchin
1 fire shrimp
1 pistol shrimp
1 brittle star
2 clowns
Gramma basslet
6 line wrasse
Aptasia file fish
Yellow watchman goby (bonded w pistol)
Diamond goby
2 damsels
1 orchid dottyback
Regrets: probably posting this because I know I’m about to get ROASTED. But actually, the peppermint shrimp. Those ****ers ate my hammer coral in about 2 hours (u can see the Skelton in the video).
View attachment 20260119_23643 PM_0DE49D08-C4AD-49EB-8AA4-43DE313DD500.mov
Me in a real reef// where I think I am after I take an edible and watch my little tank
