29 Gallon Build Confirmation

[orange50]

Hello Everyone,

I have been keeping freshwater fish for the better part of 10 years. However, I have finally decided to jump into the saltwater aquarium realm, as I have a spare 29-gallon fish tank. I have been watching all of the BRStv guides and reading multiple builds on Reef2reef. However, I wanted confirmation that my equipment would be suitable, given some items are older spare equipment, and I am also looking to keep this build low-budget.

Equipment list:
Filter - Marine Color Surface Protein Skimmer (configured to hold biological and additional mechanical media) - spare
Powerhead - Aquaneat 480 GPH pump - spare
Light - NICREW Saltwater Aquarium Light
RO/DI - R.O. Buddie 4 stage

Stocking list:
2 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Sleeper Goby
3 or 4 snails and hermits

Unfortunately, I do not have room on the side of the tank for an external H.O.B. filter, as the tank sits in a custom stand, leaving only 2 inches on each side. I do plan on adding beginner corals down the road (e.g., Zoa's, etc.). However, my primary focus will be water chemistry and tank stability over the first six months.

 

[shakacuz]

firstly; welcome aboard the r2r board! hello from PA!

secondly; you should be okay with those choices. filtration definitely will be tricky for you. drilling not an option? i would alter the stock list for fish with purpose(i.e: algae eating fish like hector/court jester goby, or a small pest eater like a pink streaked wrasse) clowns are great but with a tank build like that it’ll be useful to have a stock list that’ll help you maintain it! just a thought

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Looks good but I suggest to upgrade that powerhead, and consider that 2 is better. Flow is very important in a salt tank. I also don't see sand and rocks on the list, sand is not so important but rocks are the basis of biofiltration in a salt tank.

Nicrew is a good light, but keep in mind that you don't get a controller, just the light. Once you add the cost of the controller, then it becomes the same price as a brand name light.

You will need test kits, and if you want corals down the road then invest in good test kits not API.

An ATO is a vital machine on a salt tank, topping off manually becomes tedious and tiresome very quickly.

 

[orange50]

firstly; welcome aboard the r2r board! hello from PA!

secondly; you should be okay with those choices. filtration definitely will be tricky for you. drilling not an option? i would alter the stock list for fish with purpose(i.e: algae eating fish like hector/court jester goby, or a small pest eater like a pink streaked wrasse) clowns are great but with a tank build like that it’ll be useful to have a stock list that’ll help you maintain it! just a thought

Thank you for the Welcome. Unfortunately, drilling is not an option. The stand's design was, in essence, a fireplace but a fish tank.

Thank you for the thought on the stock list. The tank was previously a planted tank, which I barely touched, given that all the inhabitants served a purpose. I will definitely look more into stocking as I am not set on that.

 

[orange50]

Looks good but I suggest to upgrade that powerhead, and consider that 2 is better. Flow is very important in a salt tank. I also don't see sand and rocks on the list, sand is not so important but rocks are the basis of biofiltration in a salt tank.

Nicrew is a good light, but keep in mind that you don't get a controller, just the light. Once you add the cost of the controller, then it becomes the same price as a brand name light.

You will need test kits, and if you want corals down the road then invest in good test kits not API.

An ATO is a vital machine on a salt tank, topping off manually becomes tedious and tiresome very quickly.

Yes, I plan on adding 2 240 GPH powerheads totaling 480. For total GPH for powerheads, what would be a good overall to hit?

For sand and live rock:
I plan on adding 20 pounds of Fiji pink, which should give me about a 1-inch sandbed. For liverock, I plan on adding either 20 or 30 pounds of Caribsea Liferock.

Given how my stand is set up, I will look into jerry-rigging an ATO, as it will have to sit on top of the stand.