Starting from scratch

[nanosteve]

Welcome to reefing!

Slow and steady is the key to this hobby!

 

[Natashamarie]

I did the same thing with my live rock. I have a 65 gallon. Bought 45 lbs set up my tank. 3 weeks later looked great. So i bought 20 more lbs of rock. Tank had to cycle all over again. Brown everywhere. If i had to do it over i would make sure i put all of my rock in at the beginning. Just my 2 cents..

I got more today... at 25lbs. I dont think Ill be adding more anytime soon lol. That was a grand total of $200 on rocks.. i never want to buy a rock again for the rest of my life! Lol

 

[Maacc]

This is my tank.. 15lbs of live rock... i will gwt more later if I have to but idk where to put it or how to stack more! Lol

As said above, rock will kind of naturally fit together to stack. Then you can stabilize it with reef safe epoxy, or even drill and add acrylic or plastic rods. The important thing is to make it aesthetically pleasing to you and leave room on all sides for fish to move and for flow to not allow detritus to accumulate. One thing to keep in mind that is sort of counter-intuitive, the more caves and places to hide there are the more the fish will be out. This is because they feel safe and secure and so will be less hesitant to be in the open.

 

[Natashamarie]

As said above, rock will kind of naturally fit together to stack. Then you can stabilize it with reef safe epoxy, or even drill and add acrylic or plastic rods. The important thing is to make it aesthetically pleasing to you and leave room on all sides for fish to move and for flow to not allow detritus to accumulate. One thing to keep in mind that is sort of counter-intuitive, the more caves and places to hide there are the more the fish will be out. This is because they feel safe and secure and so will be less hesitant to be in the open.

Made some changes and this is the new set up. I like it, im not the best interior decorator but it will get the job done.

 

[Maacc]

I got more today... at 25lbs. I dont think Ill be adding more anytime soon lol. That was a grand total of $200 on rocks.. i never want to buy a rock again for the rest of my life! Lol

Just so that you know, you can get dry rock and let it cycle for $2-$4 per pound in most places, $8 is pretty steep, but getting it cycled already will let you get started sooner.

 

[Srlopez2]

Good morning everyone! I currently have woken up an hour early just because I can't stop daydreaming about my tank I set up yesterday. Im brand new to this but Im feeling pretty positive! I currently have a 29 gallon saltwater tank with only 3lbs of live rock (i know i need a lot more) and it is being filtered by a Marineland 160. Its going through its cycle now and I know I have weeks before I can put fish in, but that isn't stopping me from thinking about them. My question is... what fish/ how many/ in what order can i put them in? The more colorful the better! I know 100% i want a few clown fish... and inverts... i just need to know when to put them in and which fish will work best together. Also how long do i wait between each one. Any help would be great! Thanks!!

Get a purple tang and a chevron tang really nice whit a marine beta fish it will look great

 

[Brew12]

Get a purple tang and a chevron tang really nice whit a marine beta fish it will look great

Umm.. I'm not sure any of those suggestions would be a good idea for a 29 gallon tank.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Welcome to reefing and to R2R! If definitely suggest a clownfish pair and maybe a blenny of some kind for that tank. Maybe a Midas blenny or a lawnmower blenny.

 

[Florida Sunshine]

Definitely no tangs for a 29g tank.
Gobies and blennies are my favorites of the little guys.
The most important thing is to go slowly. Even if you think you are going slow you are probably going too fast.
It's looks like you got some nice LR there to start with so add a shrimp and you are on your way.

 

[V4Vendetta]

Get a purple tang and a chevron tang really nice whit a marine beta fish it will look great

worst advice of the week goes to.......

 

[Natashamarie]

Definitely no tangs for a 29g tank.
Gobies and blennies are my favorites of the little guys.
The most important thing is to go slowly. Even if you think you are going slow you are probably going too fast.
It's looks like you got some nice LR there to start with so add a shrimp and you are on your way.

I added the shrimp, I think I may have cycled already. My ammonia is at 0-0.25, Nitrite 0ppm, Nitrate 40ppm. My shrimp has been in since yesterday so I'm just continuing to wait around and see how the tank takes what I'm giving it.

 

[dima]

I got more today... at 25lbs. I dont think Ill be adding more anytime soon lol. That was a grand total of $200 on rocks.. i never want to buy a rock again for the rest of my life! Lol

I am planning my new tank these days too. If it makes u feel better i am counting 8 or better 10k to spend. Reef hobby is costly so be ready. Your rocks look lovely by the way give it more space on the sides so there is a distance between the glass and rock otherwise u wont be able to clean that area and it will look bad.

Agreed. shrimp will take a while to decay unless it is in a high flow area like place in a filter sock. I've used Dr. Tim's bacteria and is one great product!

 

[Natashamarie]

I am planning my new tank these days too. If it makes u feel better i am counting 8 or better 10k to spend. Reef hobby is costly so be ready. Your rocks look lovely by the way give it more space on the sides so there is a distance between the glass and rock otherwise u wont be able to clean that area and it will look bad.

Wow that's a lot of money lol.... i dont think Ill ever be in that place. I do think that if im successful at this I'd like to try a 100g tank. That's probably as big as ill ever go.

 

[Natashamarie]

Question.... what does everyone do when they go on vacation??? I know I'll need a house sitter but are there any tricks?

 

[MaiReef]

Question.... what does everyone do when they go on vacation??? I know I'll need a house sitter but are there any tricks?

Trick #1 - Must have is ATO(Auto top off). Autotopoff.com has inexpensive reliable double sensor ATOs.(I have used them for over 3 years without problems) I use a dog food container to hold the water. The nano system might be better for you.

Trick#2 - I feed small pieces of Ocean Nutrition formula #1 and #2 flake food through an auto feeder twice a day. I do this all the time so that the inhabitants are used to it. It also helps to maintain Nitrates and Phosphate levels because my refugium sucks them out.

Trick#3- If longer than 3 days, I have some one come over and feed a cube or two of frozen food that I prepare instructions for and have them check for basic problems.

These can get you through 2 weeks without an major issues. I have had none upon my return.

These can also be taken care of with a Aquarium Controller, but I have not gone that way yet with money restrictions and the fact that I would need all the toys.

 

[Maritimer]

Va-ca-tion.

I keep hearing people use that word. What _is_ that, exactly . . . ? (~_^)

(Actually, I had one in ... 2010, I think?)

~Bruce

 

[Salty1962]

Welcome to R2R! Be sure to let your tank cycle before adding ANY livestock. It's very easy to get the itch and wanting to scratch it but with this hobby you can't do that Be patient and you'll enjoy this wonderful hobby so much better, it will help you pocket book as well There are many threads here that will help you get started off on the right foot and if in doubt, read and ask all of the questions you can think of. There are many well educated and experienced reefers on this forum who are more than willing to help when possible. Good Luck and keep us posted