Panduh
Active Member
Hello all! I have been a lurker for a while, but finally reached a point where I need some help.
I currently own a BC29, which I purchased used and know practically nothing of it's history. I am not satisfied with it at all, so i purchased a new BC32, that is currently sitting on a table waiting to be built. I have a list of items that I am going to be purchasing to get this tank set up, and I would love for some input/advice/opinions.
Current list/wishlist of things to buy:
inTank Fish Saver Guard - for my diamond goby that likes to attempt suicide
inTank media rack and refugium rack -
for filter floss - Aqua-Flo 12" Aquarium Filter Media 1" thick
Red Sea SPEC Carbon
SeaChem Purigen
Chemi-Pure
Chaeto for my refuge rack - what kind of light do you recommend for my refuge?
I have CarribSea Rubble Zone (1gal) on the way to sue as decor as well as to put some in my sump. I have read that I should put a handful in the bottom of my Chaeto hotel to help bio filter as well as give them refuge to lay their eggs and whatnot. (input here would be lovely).
I currently have the old model BC protein skimmer, but looking at buying the newer version of it. I am interested in the Tunze 9001, but that would mean i have to remove the refuge rack and cut the top of my tank, correct? I'm not certain how that would go, so if anyone wants to explain that one to me, would be much appreciated, as I hear nothing but good things about that skimmer.
I am after the Cobalt MJ1200 or MJ900 to replace the stock pump, but I cannot seem to find it in stock ANYWHERE, so I have read about the Sicce 1.5 and people seem to like it. (input greatly appreciated to upgrade the stock return pump). I would also like to upgrade the return pump's powerhead to something that rotates or shifts water, rather than have straight flow coming out of the return. I have read about the Hydor Rotating Water Deflector, but unsure if it would work out well or not. Input highly appreciated here as well.
I currently have a new powerhead that my husband purchased. I believe it is the Sicce Voyager Nano, but not 100% sure as i didn't see the box, but the magnet says Sicce. I also have a Jebao that my friend gave me that I use to mix my saltwater for water changes. Been thinking that I should swap them, but I have no idea how to work the Jebao, so I'll have to look up a manual online (easy enough to do). I also have no clue if I should put the wave maker on the left or right side. Should I go with the flow of the return pump, or should I put it on the opposite side for turbulence?
I do not want to reuse the sand from my 29g tank, as I want to switch to black sand in the 32 so my corals really pop against the black. I have read that I need to take a cup of the old sand and put it on top of the new sand to seed it, but do I need 1cup (measurement) or a cup or sand (like a drinking glass)?
I have on the way Two Little Fishies STAX limestone rocks to build the base of my aquascape so I can avoid putting down eggcrate. My goby has done a wonderful job with my sand, but has also shifted some of my rocks (which was expected), so I want to use the stax instead of base rock to be able to put them straight on the glass and not be concerned about sharp points. (personal preference, I know).
The hood on the BC32 is currently stock, but down the line I want to upgrade to the Steve's LED hood for the better lighting. Just not an expense I can justify right now knowing all of the other things I need to get my tank in optimal condition. Are there any lighting recommendations from all of you that I should try and accomplish without removing the hood (goby + toddler)?
I have an assortment of corals that I should not have yet, but were given to me as "extras" from someone else's tank. 2 tiny BTAs, a bunch of zoas, 2 montipora digitats (?), a montipora orange plate thingy (came off of a cone. cup shaped coral [chalice maybe?]), some mushrooms, green paly things (tons of research and still don't know exact name), a green tipped leather (i think toadstool), and a piece of a zombie chalice that originated at WWC. Probably others I'm missing. Like I said, I know I should not have at least half of these things in the stock BC29, and probably not even the BC32, but I am doing my best to accommodate them and do whatever I need to help them thrive.
My fish list is 2 Banggai Cardinalfish, 1 Diamond Goby, 1 female Gold Stripe Maroon Clown who is healthy as can be, 1 male Gold Stripe, who looks like he may not make it before too long if I can't figure things out (he has had a rough time lately with some other tank mates that are no longer around). I have various hermits, snails, and a couple Emerald Crabs.
I apologize for the novel, but I am just trying to do the best I can at preparation before I start setting up the 32g tank. Thank you in advance for any and all help that ya'll can provide.
I currently own a BC29, which I purchased used and know practically nothing of it's history. I am not satisfied with it at all, so i purchased a new BC32, that is currently sitting on a table waiting to be built. I have a list of items that I am going to be purchasing to get this tank set up, and I would love for some input/advice/opinions.
Current list/wishlist of things to buy:
inTank Fish Saver Guard - for my diamond goby that likes to attempt suicide
inTank media rack and refugium rack -
for filter floss - Aqua-Flo 12" Aquarium Filter Media 1" thick
Red Sea SPEC Carbon
SeaChem Purigen
Chemi-Pure
Chaeto for my refuge rack - what kind of light do you recommend for my refuge?
I have CarribSea Rubble Zone (1gal) on the way to sue as decor as well as to put some in my sump. I have read that I should put a handful in the bottom of my Chaeto hotel to help bio filter as well as give them refuge to lay their eggs and whatnot. (input here would be lovely).
I currently have the old model BC protein skimmer, but looking at buying the newer version of it. I am interested in the Tunze 9001, but that would mean i have to remove the refuge rack and cut the top of my tank, correct? I'm not certain how that would go, so if anyone wants to explain that one to me, would be much appreciated, as I hear nothing but good things about that skimmer.
I am after the Cobalt MJ1200 or MJ900 to replace the stock pump, but I cannot seem to find it in stock ANYWHERE, so I have read about the Sicce 1.5 and people seem to like it. (input greatly appreciated to upgrade the stock return pump). I would also like to upgrade the return pump's powerhead to something that rotates or shifts water, rather than have straight flow coming out of the return. I have read about the Hydor Rotating Water Deflector, but unsure if it would work out well or not. Input highly appreciated here as well.
I currently have a new powerhead that my husband purchased. I believe it is the Sicce Voyager Nano, but not 100% sure as i didn't see the box, but the magnet says Sicce. I also have a Jebao that my friend gave me that I use to mix my saltwater for water changes. Been thinking that I should swap them, but I have no idea how to work the Jebao, so I'll have to look up a manual online (easy enough to do). I also have no clue if I should put the wave maker on the left or right side. Should I go with the flow of the return pump, or should I put it on the opposite side for turbulence?
I do not want to reuse the sand from my 29g tank, as I want to switch to black sand in the 32 so my corals really pop against the black. I have read that I need to take a cup of the old sand and put it on top of the new sand to seed it, but do I need 1cup (measurement) or a cup or sand (like a drinking glass)?
I have on the way Two Little Fishies STAX limestone rocks to build the base of my aquascape so I can avoid putting down eggcrate. My goby has done a wonderful job with my sand, but has also shifted some of my rocks (which was expected), so I want to use the stax instead of base rock to be able to put them straight on the glass and not be concerned about sharp points. (personal preference, I know).
The hood on the BC32 is currently stock, but down the line I want to upgrade to the Steve's LED hood for the better lighting. Just not an expense I can justify right now knowing all of the other things I need to get my tank in optimal condition. Are there any lighting recommendations from all of you that I should try and accomplish without removing the hood (goby + toddler)?
I have an assortment of corals that I should not have yet, but were given to me as "extras" from someone else's tank. 2 tiny BTAs, a bunch of zoas, 2 montipora digitats (?), a montipora orange plate thingy (came off of a cone. cup shaped coral [chalice maybe?]), some mushrooms, green paly things (tons of research and still don't know exact name), a green tipped leather (i think toadstool), and a piece of a zombie chalice that originated at WWC. Probably others I'm missing. Like I said, I know I should not have at least half of these things in the stock BC29, and probably not even the BC32, but I am doing my best to accommodate them and do whatever I need to help them thrive.
My fish list is 2 Banggai Cardinalfish, 1 Diamond Goby, 1 female Gold Stripe Maroon Clown who is healthy as can be, 1 male Gold Stripe, who looks like he may not make it before too long if I can't figure things out (he has had a rough time lately with some other tank mates that are no longer around). I have various hermits, snails, and a couple Emerald Crabs.
I apologize for the novel, but I am just trying to do the best I can at preparation before I start setting up the 32g tank. Thank you in advance for any and all help that ya'll can provide.
