Need Advice. New to the hobby!

[millzy72]

Hello everyone! I recently decided to set up a reef tank aquarium. My goal is to have an anemone and a few clownfish. I started up my tank about a week ago today and it has been cycling since then. I have live sand and a live rock, hang on back filter, heater, and a pump thingy to keep a current.

I plan to get a different light set up with a T5 bulb. I was told that would be needed.

I'd like to ask all you experts for more advice and tips!!!!!! Please help me to better understand what I need to do to make this a successful reef tank!

Thank you for reading and your time to help me out!

 

[Loki]

Welcome to the forum!

The best thing to know upfront is that it will take time. Also I haven't had much success with nems in new or small tanks. Yours looks to be about 20-29g.

Just some more tips.

Make sure you are using good water for your top off and when you make new saltwater. The best water is made with a RO/DI system. Your LFS should have a way of making good water.

When the water evaporates just put fresh water (no salt) because the salt won't evaporate.

Lighting plays a big part in anemones. They need very intense lighting.

Only add a small bio-load (fish/other inhabitants) at a time. It will give your tank time to catch up to the new requirements for the ammonia cycle.


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[millzy72]

Yes it is a 29 gallon tank, sorry I left that out. Thanks for the tips!

 

[bairdimusprime]

welcome! mikes on point lighting is essential as is water quality with anemones, also DONT rush it.. if your tank isnt stable and the anemone is stressed it could be tragic. i highly recommend starting with BTA'S as they're very hardy and are beautiful nems. good luck

 

[PepperDeath]

take everything slow and you will be fine find a good test kit..i use the api saltwater master test kit, most of the basics you need to get started with..i would also use chemipure elite in your hob filter if your not already

 

[millzy72]

take everything slow and you will be fine find a good test kit..i use the api saltwater master test kit, most of the basics you need to get started with..i would also use chemipure elite in your hob filter if your not already

I did a quick google search for the chemipure elite and I found many different vendors and tons of shapes, colors, sizes, etc. can you please suggest where to buy it from and what kind/how much I'd need?

Thanks to you all for the great advice! please keep the tips coming

 

[PepperDeath]

I usually get it from dr fosters and smith online. It's pretty cheap on there. And on the site it will tell you the amount you need for the size tank you have. My tank is about 25 gallons n I use the 11.74 oz.

 

[millzy72]

awesome, thanks a ton!

 

[PepperDeath]

Your welcome

 

[Rikerbear]

You might also want to consider adding a bunch more live rock. I doubt the piece in your pic will be enough for a good bio-filter, even figuring in the sand.
Good rule of thumb is minimum of one lb of rock to one gal of water...so with water displacement from the rock your 29 becomes more like at 26 gal

Welcome to the addiction :smile: