Alittle Help Please ....

[Number1Goober]

Hi, Im starting a 30 gallon reef ....and ive decited to go with live sand ...

Now i know i need some cretures to sift the sand .....i was just wondering what would be best to put in my 30 .... And how many i should have ....

Because i really dont have any clue about how many guys i need to work the sand ...

Any help would be greatly appreciated....

Thx, Goob

[Number1Goober]

Another question... Should i go with a protein skimmer?

just wondering if live rock is enough for a 30

Thx again , Goob

[Rick O]

Hi Goob. Welcome to TRT.

Nassarius snails do a fine job of stirring the sand. I would use about 5 for a tank your size. You'll need to wait a while before adding them.

As for a protien skimmer I would recommend one. I know that some people don't use one but this will give you an extra level of filtration.

Before you go any further please read our article on getting started and read one or all of the first three books from our recommended books list.

[Number1Goober]

Sweet thx for the help

[Brooke]

Hi Goober!

I would also recommend checking out this section: http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/fo....php?forumid=5

You can find lots of links to reefing websites and past threads on lots of different topics.

For a 30g I would recommend a CPR Bakpak skimmer with the maxijet pump upgrade.

Please feel free to ask for equipment recommendations. We'd rather help you buy the right equipment first! Check out our sponsors for great critters and equipment to get your tank going!

http://www.thereeftank.com/sponsors

[Alice]

Welcome to The Reef Tank!

[Emprr_Angl]

Hi Goob, welcome to TRT!

Try out a CPR BakPak2. They can be had off of eBay for
like 50-100bux.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=2060029404

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=2060527157

I ran a 29gal for 4yrs with a CPR BakPak2. It ran beautifully. I now have a 55gal with the same skimmer and its still running beautifully.

Critters - I would wait at least a month after putting live rock in the tank before getting any crits. That should be enough time for the tank to cycle. I've found that a few trochus snails do the work of 5dz astreas/nassarius snails! i'm constantly having to flip the nassarius snails over because they tumble over in the "sand dunes" of my tank. My astrea snails just sleep all day and night, heheh. Don't forget a few hermits! they may attack your snails if they dont get fed enough but theyre really good sifters too.


One more thing......Check out the royal gramma fish (gramma loreto). they have great personalities and do very well in smaller tanks and theyre very beautiful toooo!

Good Luck!
-Chris

[Brooke]

i'm constantly having to flip the nassarius snails over because they tumble over in the "sand dunes" of my tank. [/b]

Considering that nassarius snails bury themselves in sand, I can't see where this would be a problem (unless you have big sand dunes in your tank). I've never ever had to flip a nassarius snail over. They do a great job on their own.

[Number1Goober]

Also another question .....whats a good filter for a reef? right now i have an Emperor Bio-Wheel - http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...=6&pCatId=3619

I have the small one .....im not sure if this will cut it tho...

Thx to everyone whos giving some support

Peace Goob

[Brooke]

Hey Goob-

If you have about 1 pound of live rock per gallon and a good thick sandbed you will not need any other filtration. The live rock and sand in the tank will house all kinds of good bacteria and critters that will break down wastes. The downside to filters like the bio-wheel is that we tend to get lazy and not change the media often enough. This traps detritus which isn't being broken down by the critters in the tank and could lead to higher nitrates. It is handy to have a power filter on hand to run a bag of carbon, or a filter pad if you need to clean up after a detritus storm (caused by squirting the rocks lightly with a turkey baster..this helps clean out the tank).

HTH-
Brooke

[Emprr_Angl]

this isnt a nassarius snail?