New to hobby. 29g Build Thread

[dlynch8802]

After a couple of years of owning a planted tank, I decided to switch over to a reef tank. I have been doing a couple months of research trying to choose the correct equipment for my build. After finding a 29g tank with a stand on craigslist for 100$, I decided to give it a try and turn it into a successful reef tank. The tank has since been set up for 5 days.

My equipment list includes:
29g Tank
24" Ecoxotic Panorama Marine LED
AC 70 Fuge Mod
2 hydor koralia 425 gph circulation pumps
100w heater
CaribSea Arag-Alive 20-Pound Special Grade Reef Sand, Bimini Pink
API Saltwater Master Test Kit
~25 pounds of base rock (bought from LFS)
~5 pounds of live rock (bought from LFS)

I also bought a bag of salt and ro/di water from my LFS.

After letting it sit for a couple days, I decided to add a piece of shrimp from my local deli. I also added my AC 70 fuge mod, my quickly took it off, as I am still trying to figure out if the DAP product I used was aquarium safe.

Anyways, this is my set up thus far. I have been testing everyday, but have not seen a spike in my ammonia yet (I know this may take a while and will be sitting patiently waiting for it to happen). Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dlynch8802]

Here is my current FTS

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Sounds like a great start so far! Good luck & lots of fun with the build!

~SF

 

[ahmed.boomer]

Best of luck! What I did when I started mine was similar to yours. The bacteria is already established on the piece of live rock and eventually spreads. The increase in ammonia isn't as pronounced, but you'll know when it's there. Usually the diatom bloom is when you are "done" cycling and can go ahead with fish and hardy corals.

 

[dlynch8802]

Thanks guys, that's what I figured. I'm just patiently waiting for my algae bloom and getting some t5s to supplement my leds. I'm going to update this through the process to keep my own record as well as get some advice

 

[Daytonareefing]

I like the sand your using I buy it when setting up new tanks. Everything looks good but you may want to switch to salifert test kits down the road as a lot of people report problems with the accuracy of the API tests. Please keep posting pictures.

 

[Sabellafella]

My current 29 goodluckk withhthe buildd

 

[Sabellafella]

Heres a few more

 

[Sabellafella]

Theres full few by the way if your gunna keep some lps or sps go with red sea test kids are cheap and salifert r reallt cheap goodluckk bud

 

[Joe Pulliam]

Awesome! I just started a 30g build about 10 days ago too! Your tank Looks great!

 

[Sabellafella]

Noo prob yourr doin great juss try to be patient lmaoo witxh is almost impossible sometimes but if you have the rock already cured your fine , if yoh do want to cheat a little add one or 2 fish in about a week from now youll be alright , just makr makr sure with api , sence youve already added live rock that nitrites should read complete zero nd make sure theres nitrates so your sure water isnt too clean

 

[dlynch8802]

Thanks for the replies and awesome tank. I hope my tank one day looks like that.

I took some more pictures today. I noticed this small yellow spore growing on the live rock. Not sure what it is.

Here are some other close ups of the island structures

And also found this red sponge on the rock. I'd assume it's going to die though

 

[dlynch8802]

Also did some testing today. Results were as follows:

Ammonia: 1.0 ppm
Nitrites: 0 ppm
Nitrates:0 ppm
PH: 8

I'm happy to finally see some ammonia. Tank is starting to get a little smell to it though.

 

[Daytonareefing]

If you want to make sure your sponges live buy zeovit sponge power a small bottle is 19 bucks or they sell a zeovit 4 pack also called a starter pack it comes in for 50.00. Anyhow it works very well my bright yellow sponge is spreading like wild fire.

 

[dlynch8802]

Thanks. I may try that. Also I tested my salinity this morning and it's at 1.028 which I know is hi, but I don't want to do any water changes till my tank cycles. Will the hi salinity affect my cycle?

 

[dlynch8802]

Tested my water today and the results were as follows:

Ammonia: 1.0 ppm
Nitrite : 0 ppm
Nitrate: 20 ppm

Is it odd to see nitrate before nitrite? I've been testing everyday and haven't seen any nitrite yet

 

[dlynch8802]

Need some help. I tested my water today and it read as follows:
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 30
Ph 8.0

I never saw any nitrite. Any idea why this may have happened, and is the end of my cycle??

 

[KJ]

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

 

[dlynch8802]

That's a great read! So I have been seeing a lot of diatoms. I guess I ha e a couple more stages left. Thanks for the help!

 

[KJ]

YOU WELCOME GOOD LUCK