I had many salt tanks at one time or another, but it's been 20 years since I've had one. A lot has changed. I've never had a reef tank with the exception of an old Eclipse tank that got overgrown with mushrooms.
I bought a used Oceanic HQI 29g Biocube and stand. The tank had been used for frags by the last owner. It came with a MH lamp, but it wasn't in good shape so I got a Kessil A80 Tuna Blue for it. So far, I've put in 25lb of sand and 19lb of rock. I used Fritz RPM for salt. The water is a mix of RODI water, charcoal filtered water, and a bit of tap as well. I added Prime and waited for a day, and then added Turbo start 900. (3 days ago)
I added a rotator attachment to the pump outlet that changes the water direction to help avoid dead spots. I got an inTank media basket for the tank as well. My plan is to run filter floss at the top, Chemi-pure Blue in the middle, and Matrix in the lower chamber. I am cycling the tank with the stock Coralife filter and plan to add the media basket in a few days.
My goal is to have a few fish, a clean up crew, and some easy corals.
Fish plan:
2 Occy Clowns (obligatory)
Orchid Dottyback or Royal Gramma
2 Banggai or firefish
Maybe a watchman goby - not sure
Cleaner shrimp
CUC plan:
5 hermit crab
5 Astrea and/or Trochus snails
Maybe an Emerald crab
Tuxedo or pincushion urchin
Corals:
I'm open on this. I'd like beginner corals that won't try to take over the tank. I was thinking of Zoas, Hammer, bubble, Duncan, or candy cane. I need to do more research.
I'd love some feedback on the order I should add the fish and my fish choices. Suggestions are welcome. I'd also like some advice on easy starter corals that might work for my setup.
From my light to the top of the rocks is about 13" and to the sand is about 22"
I'd like some feedback on lighting and water movement. Will the A80 cut it or should I get a prime 16? Regardless of light, should I look at adding a Nero 3 or similar to increase movement? (I'm getting conflicting answers at my LFS about both of the subjects)
Thanks in advance for any help!
I bought a used Oceanic HQI 29g Biocube and stand. The tank had been used for frags by the last owner. It came with a MH lamp, but it wasn't in good shape so I got a Kessil A80 Tuna Blue for it. So far, I've put in 25lb of sand and 19lb of rock. I used Fritz RPM for salt. The water is a mix of RODI water, charcoal filtered water, and a bit of tap as well. I added Prime and waited for a day, and then added Turbo start 900. (3 days ago)
I added a rotator attachment to the pump outlet that changes the water direction to help avoid dead spots. I got an inTank media basket for the tank as well. My plan is to run filter floss at the top, Chemi-pure Blue in the middle, and Matrix in the lower chamber. I am cycling the tank with the stock Coralife filter and plan to add the media basket in a few days.
My goal is to have a few fish, a clean up crew, and some easy corals.
Fish plan:
2 Occy Clowns (obligatory)
Orchid Dottyback or Royal Gramma
2 Banggai or firefish
Maybe a watchman goby - not sure
Cleaner shrimp
CUC plan:
5 hermit crab
5 Astrea and/or Trochus snails
Maybe an Emerald crab
Tuxedo or pincushion urchin
Corals:
I'm open on this. I'd like beginner corals that won't try to take over the tank. I was thinking of Zoas, Hammer, bubble, Duncan, or candy cane. I need to do more research.
I'd love some feedback on the order I should add the fish and my fish choices. Suggestions are welcome. I'd also like some advice on easy starter corals that might work for my setup.
From my light to the top of the rocks is about 13" and to the sand is about 22"
I'd like some feedback on lighting and water movement. Will the A80 cut it or should I get a prime 16? Regardless of light, should I look at adding a Nero 3 or similar to increase movement? (I'm getting conflicting answers at my LFS about both of the subjects)
Thanks in advance for any help!