29 gal running - seeking expert opinions

biguebs · Feb 6, 2021

Hi all- first post here, I’m yet another long time freshwater guy taking the leap into a SW setup... as a reference to my experience in the FW realm i am running 3 125 gallon tanks and a 180 as well. About 10 years into the FW game. I decided to start small in SW and get a feel for it with an extra 29 I had around.

So in terms of what I have now running in this 29... I went with dry rock and live sand. Cycled tank and just today added a small clownfish pair. I am using 2 aquaclear 70 hob filters with a 1 sponge, 1 chemi pure elite bag, 1 poly pad in each.

It’s looking pretty plain right now. I would like to add some hermits for CUC and snails when algae pops up... and soft corals gradually so as to not overwhelm the system. Obviously another fish or two. Probably a goby and something else.. haven’t decided yet. I really like some of the dwarf angels but apparently they don’t go with corals? Looking for suggestions on the whole thing - what’s worked for you guys?

Looking for input on the AC70’s as well.. I know a lot of folks aren’t into sponges (and mechanical in general) but I will clean them weekly as I incorporate this one in with the other FW tanks schedule. I know the rocks will do most of the work for bio bacteria.

lapin · Feb 6, 2021

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Howdy and welcome

Jekyl · Feb 6, 2021

Welcome. Looks like you have a firm handle on things so far. Small CuC can be added now. I also recommend a cleaner shrimp. They are one of my favorites. Just make sure to take it slow. I'd wait at least a month or 2 before adding another fish. Also make sure the fish you add won't be too large for the tank. As for the filters, sure there are better ways to go. However there is no streamlined way to do things. What ever way works for you is the right way. I've seen fish bowls growing SPS and I myself run an RUGF system which is basically unheard of anymore. However it works great for me and my inhabitants. Do your thing, enjoy it, test parameters as you go. If problems arise there are plenty of people on here to help you out.

biguebs · Feb 6, 2021

Jekyl said:
Welcome. Looks like you have a firm handle on things so far. Small CuC can be added now. I also recommend a cleaner shrimp. They are one of my favorites. Just make sure to take it slow. I'd wait at least a month or 2 before adding another fish. Also make sure the fish you add won't be too large for the tank. As for the filters, sure there are better ways to go. However there is no streamlined way to do things. What ever way works for you is the right way. I've seen fish bowls growing SPS and I myself run an RUGF system which is basically unheard of anymore. However it works great for me and my inhabitants. Do your thing, enjoy it, test parameters as you go. If problems arise there are plenty of people on here to help you out.

Thanks... really just trying to get a feel for keeping parameters consistent in the salt environment and then I’ll start tweaking. Took me a few years to figure out freshwater in terms of sorting through all the info available and finding out what actually mattered and what was hype. Seems like there’s a lot more to consider with SW! Lol