New to the hobby, need advice on next steps.

[averagesteve]

Hey all,

Brief intro, my name is Steve, I've wanted a saltwater aquarium since I was a child. After seeing my own child show a big interest in fish (she's 18 months old), I decided to take the plunge. Did a whole bunch of research, and am currently starting with a 29 gallon FOWRL tank. The tank is currently up and running and everything is good. I want to make upgrades to it over time, however I am moving in roughly 5 years to a larger house, at which time, if I still very much enjoy the hobby, I will be upgrading to a Red Sea model of sorts (probably like the XL or XXL).

So really, what I'm looking for is some advice, if anyone would be so kind, on what makes sense to upgrade and what doesn't considering that I'll be moving in the next 5 years, and when I do, will likely upgrade to some huge all in one kind of setup.

Current Stuff:
29 Gallon tank with hood and white LED
Hang on back filter
100w heater
30 pounds live sand
30 pounds dry base rock

Future upgrade ideas (this is where I need help on priority/if it makes sense):
RO/DI unit
Lighting and Powerheads (Current USA Loop?)
Protein Skimmer
Overflow and Refugium

Is there anything else I should consider or not consider?

Thanks for any and all advice.

 

[Qasimja]

welcome to the site

 

[Oldreefer44]

If you do not have them already, I would suggest a good set of test kits or the equivalent controller etc. In my experience water quality and consistency are the key to long term success. You can have the best equipment money can buy yet without the above you will likely struggle as I did. Secondly, reef tanks are like boats, planes, houses and many other things. No matter what size you have you will eventually want a bigger one. So where possible, buy bigger than you need so that it can be used when you upgrade.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

!!! Welcome to R2R Steve !!! You can start with the 29g but if you plan to move. An small tank will be easier than a big one. But if the moving is something for the future then you can get the biggest you want or can afford. I would add a ATO for the must have upgrades to keep salinity stable. Also, the RODI unit is a must too been able to do your own mix.

 

[lapin]

Howdy
Upgrades will be a bit hard because you have a smaller tank now and without a sump you dont have room for larger equipment like a skimmer and reactors that would work with a larger tank. Go for the rodi unit for sure. Maybe an auto top off. Look at power heads and a light that might be used in your bigger setup. These can wear out over time. 5 years is a long time now days for equipment in our throw away world. A controller is a nice addition but might be a bit much for now.

 

[LesPoissons]

WELCOME! Here are my thoughts and suggestions = )

#1 I would make sure you are starting with RODI water (buy from local fish store if you can get your own unit yet) and def invest in your own filter or continue to buy. Prevention will save you a million problems with algae and tank issues down the road (one of the factors people get out of the hobby) and tap water will give you so many problems.

#2 you need test kits. If anything goes wrong in your tank, the first question people will ask you is for your water parameters. (PH, Salinity, Nitrate, Ammonia etc.) These factor majorly into fish health, algae issues, disease etc.

#3 An automatic top off system to top off the fresh water that evaporates out is priceless in my opinion. You can def do it by hand every day once you figure out how much evaporates, but its pretty annoying (in my opinion) to test every day and you cant leave your tank for long as it will change the salinity pretty rapidly.

#4 You will probable need to change the water 20% every couple weeks, make sure you have what you need to do this (syphon/ gravel vac etc)

#5 Do you have a quarentine tank set up? If not and are just adding fish to the tank, will you treat the whole tank if they get sick? If so, keep in mind a lot of medications are not reef safe so you cant house inverts (shrimp, snails, anemones, etc etc) if you need to use these meds. Just something to keep in mind for what you are planning to keep.

Hope this helps. It can be a lot right off the bat but dont worry, once you get started you will figure it out and we are here for you!

 

[averagesteve]

If you do not have them already, I would suggest a good set of test kits or the equivalent controller etc. In my experience water quality and consistency are the key to long term success. You can have the best equipment money can buy yet without the above you will likely struggle as I did. Secondly, reef tanks are like boats, planes, houses and many other things. No matter what size you have you will eventually want a bigger one. So where possible, buy bigger than you need so that it can be used when you upgrade.

I do have a test kit, what kind of controller? I'm still a little new so I don't exactly know what the "industry standard" kind of items are.

!!! Welcome to R2R Steve !!! You can start with the 29g but if you plan to move. An small tank will be easier than a big one. But if the moving is something for the future then you can get the biggest you want or can afford. I would add a ATO for the must have upgrades to keep salinity stable. Also, the RODI unit is a must too been able to do your own mix.

I'm keeping the 29 until I move, I was basically saying that when I do move, I will be upgrading the entire thing, so I didn't know what kind of things wouldn't be worth it considering the upgrade after moving. Will definitely prioritize RODI and ATO, but does ATO make sense for a small tank like this? Thanks!

Howdy
Upgrades will be a bit hard because you have a smaller tank now and without a sump you dont have room for larger equipment like a skimmer and reactors that would work with a larger tank. Go for the rodi unit for sure. Maybe an auto top off. Look at power heads and a light that might be used in your bigger setup. These can wear out over time. 5 years is a long time now days for equipment in our throw away world. A controller is a nice addition but might be a bit much for now.

Thanks for the advice, how much sense would it make to add a sump to a 29 gallon tank that will likely be replaced after moving with an entire new setup? I wouldn't be drilling the tank, so it'll likely use a hang on back overflow if I did add a sump, which I heard is just overall a bad idea.

 

[averagesteve]

WELCOME! Here are my thoughts and suggestions = )

#1 I would make sure you are starting with RODI water (buy from local fish store if you can get your own unit yet) and def invest in your own filter or continue to buy. Prevention will save you a million problems with algae and tank issues down the road (one of the factors people get out of the hobby) and tap water will give you so many problems.

#2 you need test kits. If anything goes wrong in your tank, the first question people will ask you is for your water parameters. (PH, Salinity, Nitrate, Ammonia etc.) These factor majorly into fish health, algae issues, disease etc.

#3 An automatic top off system to top off the fresh water that evaporates out is priceless in my opinion. You can def do it by hand every day once you figure out how much evaporates, but its pretty annoying (in my opinion) to test every day and you cant leave your tank for long as it will change the salinity pretty rapidly.

#4 You will probable need to change the water 20% every couple weeks, make sure you have what you need to do this (syphon/ gravel vac etc)

#5 Do you have a quarentine tank set up? If not and are just adding fish to the tank, will you treat the whole tank if they get sick? If so, keep in mind a lot of medications are not reef safe so you cant house inverts (shrimp, snails, anemones, etc etc) if you need to use these meds. Just something to keep in mind for what you are planning to keep.

Hope this helps. It can be a lot right off the bat but dont worry, once you get started you will figure it out and we are here for you!

Thanks! This is all very valuable information. I will be getting a RODI unit and separate quarantine tank. Looks like the general consensus is that a ATO unit is going to be well worth it. I do have test kits already, I forgot to include that in the original post.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

When I start my 40g I had to refill the tank almost every two days. Then I make my own gravity ATO and problem solved. Just fill the ATO with RODI water every week and everything was stable.

 

[lapin]

Thanks for the advice, how much sense would it make to add a sump to a 29 gallon tank that will likely be replaced after moving with an entire new setup? I wouldn't be drilling the tank, so it'll likely use a hang on back overflow if I did add a sump, which I heard is just overall a bad idea.

If you did a sump now you prob would not want it too big as it would not fit in the stand. If you went small then it prob would not work with a bigger tank

 

[Andrew Edwards]

Welcome! I know it seems like the most obvious thing in the world, but it can be difficult to do—BE PATIENT! Cycles can be easily disrupted in your tank and the only thing that gives you more stability is time. Start with cheap coral and test it out, move on from there. Don’t add too much of anything too fast and you’ll find a system that works for you!

 

[muzikalmatt]

For an aquarium controller you don't necessarily need to go all out on an Apex or anything just yet, but it is something that would be transferable to your future larger tank if you do want to pull the trigger on something that expensive.

At a minimum though, you probably need some sort of temperature controller to both protect from heater failure as well as maintain a stable temperature in your tank. I'm a big fan of the Inkbird controller I recently purchased which you can find on Amazon here. It can control both heating and cooling elements. I use a simple clip on fan aimed at the water surface for cooling purposes and should my heater ever fail in the on position the Inkbird will shut off power to it to prevent it from overheating my tank.

An ATO absolutely makes sense for a smaller tank, in fact even more so, as evaporation will have a greater effect on your tank's salinity with a smaller volume of water. Again, a good ATO is something you could transfer to your future tank build as well.

If you're not going to drill the tank, I wouldn't mess with a sump right now. Plenty of reefers have had success with hang on the back filters. You might look into a HOB refugium and/or skimmer though if you're looking for additional nutrient export methods, but with a 29 gallon a good water change schedule should be more than enough.

If you're looking to upgrade from a FOWLER to having corals you'll need better lighting. If you do go that route, make sure you pick a light that would be usable on your future tank build, even if you just need more of them.

Hope this helps. Happy reefing!

 

[BeejReef]

Yeah, so I started the same way. My 3 yo was "really interested."

It's by the grace of God that I didn't quit my job to become a fireman or an astronaut

If you're sticking with FOWLR, you have far fewer concerns. Are you planning on owning your "forever" home within five years? Are you comfortable making the tank part of your home, or do you want to have a fish tank without remodeling your basement.. lol.

It gets more interesting if you're talking reef. Even in reef tank terms, 5 years is a good chunk of time. I'd strive to build up to a tank 1/3 to 1/2 the volume I wanted to end up with after the move and focus on getting some nice chunky lps and softy colonies grown out so my dream tank wouldn't look so empty and take years to fill in.

 

[averagesteve]

Yeah, so I started the same way. My 3 yo was "really interested."

It's by the grace of God that I didn't quit my job to become a fireman or an astronaut

If you're sticking with FOWLR, you have far fewer concerns. Are you planning on owning your "forever" home within five years? Are you comfortable making the tank part of your home, or do you want to have a fish tank without remodeling your basement.. lol.

It gets more interesting if you're talking reef. Even in reef tank terms, 5 years is a good chunk of time. I'd strive to build up to a tank 1/3 to 1/2 the volume I wanted to end up with after the move and focus on getting some nice chunky lps and softy colonies grown out so my dream tank wouldn't look so empty and take years to fill in.

Haha my kid being interested was the excuse my wife needed to let me get a tank. I've been asking her for years. It's really for me.

I'm sticking with FOWLR until I get really comfortable with maintaining proper water quality for corals.

My move in 5 years is likely going to be my "forever" home. My student debt, my wife's student debt, and all other loans will be paid off, and I will have a large amount of equity in my current home, so we will be able to afford our forever home. If I still like the tank as much as I'm enjoying it now. I will for sure be OK with making it part of the house and wouldn't mind remodeling the basement.