Need advice. New to Salt Water hobby

fred1petra · Mar 20, 2014

We have always had Freshwater tanks but I would like to add a Salt Water Oceanic BioCube 29 gallon to start out with. I like Arco's and Chalice for my corals and a pair of Clowns. Any suggestions from the forum either good or bad on what I'm wanting to go with?

wuuzzzuuppp · Mar 20, 2014

Welcome! As far as advice I'd say make sure you do your research first on what you will need for what you want. Research how to set up for your filter system including live rock and how much. What lights you will need and research before you buy something so you dont have to buy things twice. And take things slowly. It's hard not to buy on an impulse, but it's worth it to know what you are getting yourself into.

fred1petra · Mar 21, 2014

Thanks

Thanks for the advice. We've had a 75 freshwater tank for 30 years and I've always wanted to do a Salt tank. I love all the different types of corals and fish you can have. I know the old saying that it's easier to maintain a large tank than a smaller one but for me I will stick to a cube no more than 29 gallons.

Mhumbach · Mar 21, 2014

Research and patience are the biggest things. I'd start off by researching the nitrogen cycle as much as you can and understanding the importance of biological filtration. Acros are amazing coral however generally they demand a lot of light and flow so research about SPS coral as well. Good luck and welcome to the hobby!

Jimbo662 · Mar 21, 2014

I learned from experience that in the saltwater world smaller tanks need a little more attention becuase water parameters can change a lot quicker and stability is the key to success.

Coraloliseffect · Mar 21, 2014

Include with your research recognized published works/books. Eg the reef aquarim, beginer to breeder etc. Your set up above sounds a bit challenging w acros. stick to simpler sticks and chalices. . Birds nest or digies for acros.

VicD81 · Mar 21, 2014

Ive got a 29G biocube. We are pretty limited to kinds of coral we can keep under the stock lights. Them Power compacts are just not strong enough to sustain anything other than softies and LPS (unless you upgrade to LEDs). Stock these tanks are bare minimums. You need to do A LOT of upgrades ie. Skimmer, lights, ATO, reactors, refugium and maybe a powerhead. They are really nice looking Ill give it that, but if you haven't purchased it yet id say go with a regular 30G and add a sump. It makes this hobby so much easier.

ETORRES477 · Mar 21, 2014

At the top of this forum there is a thread labeled "The Supreme Guide to Setting up a Saltwater Aquarium". I would start off educating myself with the article posited within that thread. It tells you literally everything your going to need to know and do to set up your initial build.

IotaElwyn · Mar 21, 2014

Start slow, wait until the tank has been running for a while before adding corals and maybe sure you have your schedule down

Reefing Madness · Mar 21, 2014

Great choices to add to your tank, your gonna love the coral when they start to mature a bit. Water params are going to be your biggest test, as your ALk, Mag and Cal are going to be eaten up daily, once the corals get bigger.

WhoKnew · Mar 21, 2014

Welcome to R2R. I am pretty new at the salt water hobby, but listening to the experienced ones has really been a bonus. I started with the 29g. For me, it was hard to keep the parameters. I decided to do a 46g bow front. Take your time and research all the life you choose to put on your tank. Have fun.

mcarroll · Mar 22, 2014

fred1petra said:
We have always had Freshwater tanks but I would like to add a Salt Water Oceanic BioCube 29 gallon to start out with. I like Arco's and Chalice for my corals and a pair of Clowns. Any suggestions from the forum either good or bad on what I'm wanting to go with?

If you haven't already done quite a bit of research on alkalinity, I would do that before adding more than one stony coral to your reef. As people have said, small tanks can be a bit tricky once loaded up with stony corals.

In a nutshell, They use alkalinity quickly and there isn't much in seawater to begin with, so their usage can make a big difference, quickly. Unfortunately, alkalinity is pretty much the linch-pin of seawater chemistry so the tank crashes when there's not enough of it. This makes management of alkalinity one of your top jobs, if not the very most important thing you'll be doing for your reef.

Starting with only one stony coral with allow you time to learn and get used to all this, including what a BioCube can and cannot grow in terms of coral. Unless you got the HQI version of the BioCube, it's not the best candidate for some of the corals you've chosen so far. There are options though.

Orange Montipora digitata - not the one that you can see has pale skin under the polyps....only the classic one that's solid velvety-orange with polyps - would be a great candidate. It's good-looking under almost any conditions and reasonably fast growing so you can see the fruits of your labor (or error of your ways) quickly. Once you are comfortable (which may not take long....YMMV), there are plenty of chalices that would be very happy under your lights, maybe even some acros, but you will have to be fairly particular in choosing types that do not require super bright lighs.

$0.02 I hope this helps!

-Matt