29 Gallon Stocking list

SaltwaterNoob281 · Feb 13, 2022

Hi Everyone,

I am planning out my stocking list for a 29 Gallon Aquarium(30″ x 12″ x 18″). Still in the planning stages but figured everything would be a whole lot easier if I had my stocking list in mind beforehand. I have done a couple of planted tanks in the past but this will be my first Saltwater tank. The plan is to do just live rock and fish to start with and if everything is stable for several months add coral then.

I was thinking:

2 Ocellaris clownfish
2 Firefish Goby(I have been getting some conflicting advice, I read they they are aggressive towards their own species but my LFS said that I should keep them in pairs)
1 Royal Gamma
1 Watchman Goby
1 Tiger Pistol Shrimp(Hoping this and the Watchman pair up)

Is this a good stocking list for this tank size? Should I throw in a few more fish or is this already more than what the tank can handle? If I could fit a few more in always open to some cool suggestions. I love the look of the mandarin goby but the consensus seems to be this is a more advanced fish so I will probably be avoiding it.

Another question I have is I unfortunately only have enough space for a 6 gallon sump, would this be too small for the tank or should I just stick to a hang on system(Fiji seems to have a pretty slick AIO peninsula style conversion). I know for freshwater tanks there are a few size jumps that really open up some options, for example going from a 10 gallon to a 20 gallon is a world of difference in what you can stock. I could possible swing for a 40 gallon(48″ x 12″ x 16″) if this is one such case. The space I had in mind is only 13.5" wide so I will be stuck with longer tanks for the most part.

Thank you for any help in advance

SaltwaterNoob281 · Feb 13, 2022

Upon further research I think I could use one of these for my sump.

Fiji Cube Fiji-12 Advanced Reef Sump 2nd Gen

Fiji-12 and Fiji-15 Advanced Reef Sump Features Fiji Cube Advanced Reef Sump is your great sump option due to its elegant design and unique features. All Fiji Cube sumps come with great features such as a full top support brace to prevent bowing overtime from the humidity and water pressure...

www.fijicube.com

My size constraints are 13.5x15x15 so I think this just barely squeezes in

NS Mike D · Feb 13, 2022

CPR has a Hang on Back (HOB) 5 gallon refugium (I have one on my 29 gal aqueon). Since it's a HOB you needn't worry about a sump overflowing if a pump fails or a power outage. I fit cheap Chinese saltwater lights on top of it to grow cheato and I have a Fluval nano skimmer in it along with a heater. I did put some rubble rock and some clean up crew (bristle worms and baby snails) to round out the fuge.

If you do a below tank, do the math on how much extra volume you need to handle the back flow. I had to use a 10 gal tank for a below the tank sump (yes I have both a 5 gal HOB and a 10 gal below the tank sump on my 29 gal DT).

SaltwaterNoob281 · Feb 13, 2022

Appreciate the help. That solve my sump questions, any suggestions on the stocking list?

fish farmer · Feb 14, 2022

I'm the guy who will tell you that is too many fish....regardless of filtration capacity.

I'd shoot for four fish in a 29 gallon, give them room to grow is what I suggest.

I have a mature pair of perc clowns in my 29 gallon and a sixline wrasse. I feel I could put another fish in without too much aggression.....maybe. Prior to the sixline I had a royal gramma with the clowns, he worked out well, but the clowns and the gramma did show territorial displays often. I noticed the gramma started to hide a lot toward the end of it's life, even with lots of places to hide I felt that a bigger tank for it may have been better.

I occasionally have shrimp, they won't contribute much to the waste load.

commanderwho · Feb 22, 2022

I’d say nice stocking list but cut 1 firefish goby out. Also get a yellow watchman goby instead of the regular one.

OPL · Feb 25, 2022

Personally, in a tank that size i would have a max of 4x fish, avoid the Mandarin unless you get a bigger tank that has matured with a sustainable food source.

I keep my pair of Ocellaris Clowns with a Royal Gramma in a 30 gallon AIO, as long as you can lay out your rockwork so that they can establish their own territory's (Grammas prefer caves) then you "should" be ok. Be wary of aggression from either/or as they both can be aggressive to new tank mates, depending on your chosen stock list it may be beneficial to add them last.

You should consider your clean up crew aswell as your fish, they can be really interesting to watch and they contribute to keeping your tank clean.

Hope this helps.