Equipment recommendations for starting a 29 gallon tank

[Rugops]

For lighting start with ones of these
Blade Smart LED Strip - Coral Grow - Aqua Illumination

For the filter
Shark PRO 700 Internal Filter (185 GPH) - Sicce

Heater but the 100 watt at least, trick is they need water to blow past them
Fluval P Series Aquarium Tank Heater, Size: 25W | PetSmart$25.99PetSmart

Thanks for the recommendations. For the light though, I plan to get the AI Prime. I have heard good things. I will look into the other stuff though!

 

[kevgib67]

I was actually concerned with lighting. My lfs uses coral life leds and I was a little curious with them. I also am curious about these light fixtures. I was thinking ai primes but I kinda don't know if I want to go that route just yet. I need to figure stuff out.

How about:

-Pumps
-Canister filters
-Sumps?
-Dosing

Hygger makes nice quiet wave makers for your size tank (I’m running one in my 32g) that are very affordable. +1 on a skimmer. I really don’t think you’ll need a dosser for your size tank. Water changes should replace all elements being consumed in a softy/lps tank. I did that for 16 years with a heavy softy light lps tank. Should you begin to have a lps dominant tank and or add easy sps you could manually dose ( easy on your size tank) or set up a dosser. Your testing will tell you when.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Thanks for the recommendations. For the light though, I plan to get the AI Prime. I have heard good things. I will look into the other stuff though!

I have 3 AI Primes, the problem with having one you need two.

 

[Rugops]

I have 3 AI Primes, the problem with having one you need two.

So just one light from the one you recommended is fine. I am actually reconsidering lol

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

What are the dimensions of the tank?, Have a 24x 20 x 12" tank, I have two AI primes on it, yes you could get away with either one, With AI Primes you have to purchase the light bracket, I believe the AI Blade it may come with it, neither one need a controller. Both lights will grow with you, more corals more expanding more led lights. Not a bad thing just a money thing.

Either way you only need one light until you want two. Led lights are like rabbits they like to multiply.

 

[Rugops]

The tank itself is 30 x 19 x 13". The AI Blade is probably more convenient for me though.

No joke. I can't help myself but I somehow restrain myself.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

It’s tough being on a budget, especially with all the shiny new stuff available these days. When I started out the hobby was very DIY orientated, especially outside of Nth America and Europe.

There are some upsides to being on a budget though. A more natural system or DIY approach will give you a thorough education and grounding in the biology and fundamentals of reef keeping. Throwing tech at the hobby can definitely yield success but the road is littered with failures too.

 

[Subliminal]

I’d look into making it an all in one. Go on eBay and look for 29 gallon diy aio. There’s a company that I think sponsors this forum and also has kits. Starts with a t.

anyway I did a 29g for a few years with a hang on back fuge and wasn’t too impressed.

also make sure you haven’t used any freshwater safe chemicals in that tank ever. Like copper.
It’s a nice size display for a small tank! If I had it to do over again I’d have gone the 29g diy aio instead of this fluval evo number.

 

[Rugops]

I’d look into making it an all in one. Go on eBay and look for 29 gallon diy aio. There’s a company that I think sponsors this forum and also has kits. Starts with a t.

anyway I did a 29g for a few years with a hang on back fuge and wasn’t too impressed.

also make sure you haven’t used any freshwater safe chemicals in that tank ever. Like copper.
It’s a nice size display for a small tank! If I had it to do over again I’d have gone the 29g diy aio instead of this fluval evo number.

I plan to use my empty 10 gallon as a sump. Granted, I have to put it alongside the tank and not underneath it (lack of space). I have most of the supplies to build one minus the protein skimmer. If you remember the name of said company, let me know!

 

[Rugops]

It’s tough being on a budget, especially with all the shiny new stuff available these days. When I started out the hobby was very DIY orientated, especially outside of Nth America and Europe.

There are some upsides to being on a budget though. A more natural system or DIY approach will give you a thorough education and grounding in the biology and fundamentals of reef keeping. Throwing tech at the hobby can definitely yield success but the road is littered with failures too.

It really is. Hopefully someone takes me up on my trade and I get some of the things I need.

 

[Schulks]

@Rugops if you want a DIY sump Fiji Cube sells them but another is Tenecor aquariums.
Not sure if they come in 10gallon though

And just another reminder the 10gallon should not have ever been used with copper.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

The problem with forcing things to work you really limit yourself. For a small tank I would get a AIO, the IM Lagoon 25 is really good but it is difficult to put a skimmer in like a Tunze 9004.

 

[Rugops]

Update: I have received lots of interest for my stuff. Perhaps with the funds I gain and from the trades, I will be able to save a bit more so I can spend the rest on lights and what not.

 

[fish farmer]

I plan to use my empty 10 gallon as a sump. Granted, I have to put it alongside the tank and not underneath it (lack of space). I have most of the supplies to build one minus the protein skimmer. If you remember the name of said company, let me know!

So you are sumping? Are you planning to drill the 29 or run a hang on overflow, drilling is better and you could fabricate an overflow weir cheap if you don't mind it being noisy.

I'm going to suggest a larger sump size. I tried a 10 gallon on my 29 and with my skimmer and return pump in there, when I shut my tank off there wasn't a lot of space for draining water from the display during power outages. I currently use a 20 high, same footprint as a 15 gallon. I got three sections in there, used a precut sump kit from eBay. First section houses chaeto, extra rock, heater. Second houses my oversized reef octo classic 110-int skimmer. Third houses a supreme mag drive return pump.

 

[Rugops]

So you are sumping? Are you planning to drill the 29 or run a hang on overflow, drilling is better and you could fabricate an overflow weir cheap if you don't mind it being noisy.

I'm going to suggest a larger sump size. I tried a 10 gallon on my 29 and with my skimmer and return pump in there, when I shut my tank off there wasn't a lot of space for draining water from the display during power outages. I currently use a 20 high, same footprint as a 15 gallon. I got three sections in there, used a precut sump kit from eBay. First section houses chaeto, extra rock, heater. Second houses my oversized reef octo classic 110-int skimmer. Third houses a supreme mag drive return pump.

I was considering upgrading the 10 gallon but I only enough space to fit a 10 gallon sump.

 

[Rugops]

Status for getting a light: I have received an offer for a

NanoBox Duo Plus M​

Don't know if this is good enough but I doubt it. Opinions?