New 29 Gallon reef tank

[westend]

Goodmorning everyone,

Just found this nice forum and wanted to share a few pictures of my new reef tank setup.

Just started yesterday with 30 lb live sand and 15 lb dry rock.

Still need to add the last water.

On the equipment side I have two nano power heads ( one of them I am using to mix the water with ). I have a regular filter and do not plan to make a sump. Should I put a bag of carbon in the filter ?

I still need to buy a protein skimmer and I have already ordered some nice hang from the roof led lights (with built in timer)

Curious to see how slow the cycle time will go with only using life sand. But as I have read over and over again. Patience.

All input is appreciated.

I will post a few pictures as well.

Steen

 

[westend]

Here are the pictures

 

[westend]

 

[KillerKlownFish]

I thought you were hanging the lights from the roof did know you were hanging the tank upside down lol.
Looks good!

 

[westend]

Yes,

I am not exactly sure what happened - tried to upload to photos and both upside down

 

[westend]

Okay

Did my measurements

Ph 8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Salinity 1,024

Assume nothing else to do now than wait.....

 

[ifarmer]

 

[westend]

Thanks

Much better

 

[AdamNC]

Drop a raw shrimp in there from the grocery store or ghost feed a small pinch of flake food a day and it will help speed things up. On average it should take about 12 weeks to cycle. Some take more, some less.

 

[eliramos]

Nice little setup!

 

[LetItReef]

Welcome. We also have standard 29g. On the HOB filter I put granulated activated carbon. Used to have a Aqualtic life skimmer for few months- Nitrates/Ammonia are 0, I decided to clean and not install it and Nitrates/Ammonia are 0 so I am not currently have a skimmer. I do 20% water change every two wks and 1g topoff weekly w/distilled water.
The window you have there can be an algae issue. We now partially close our shutters to block some of the sunlight.

 

[westend]

Perfect

Thanks for the good info

Assume you put the carbon in a bag? Also where do you buy it ? Local fish store or Petco/petsmart?

 

[LetItReef]

Perfect

Thanks for the good info

Assume you put the carbon in a bag? Also where do you buy it ? Local fish store or Petco/petsmart?

Yes to all and about a tsp works for me on every water change I make. What kind of Fish/Corals you are planning?

 

[westend]

Not really sure yet

But want to keep it simple and go slow

So for now just getting the cycle done which easily could take 3-4 weeks then add a cleaning crew

After that not sure

Max 4 fish - added over time and else beautiful corals - but keep it simple

Any suggestions ??

 

[LetItReef]

Check out liveaquaria.com. I personally like Euphyllia esp Frogspawn not demanding on light and on feeding. Firefish ( a jumper), Blenny family, Pygmy wrasse( a jumper), Fire shrimp to name a few. For Cleaning crew check out also Reefcleaners.

 

[westend]

Perfect

Will check

Checked all again

Ph 8
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
Temp 79 F

A few bubbles underneath the dry rock

 

[westend]

Wednesday March 18th in the evening

Tested water again

Ph 8

Ammonia 0

Nitrite 0

Nitrate 0

Temp 80

Salinity 1,024

Waiting waiting waiting - hopefully the live sand can get the dry rocks going - patience patience....

 

[KorD]

Welcome to the forum.. Tank looks nice! I also have a 29gal as my main display

 

[westend]

Thanks

Just installed my aquac remora hob protein skimmer

Ph 8.4
Salinity 1,025
Ammonia 0,50 - yeees
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - low - I would say max 5 ppm

Any thoughts ??

 

[aquaman84]

welcome to the forum! i just got my first 29 g reef tank today i added everything in there already except for fish and invertebrates i was wondering how long should i wait to test the water?