Opinions on my setup

Evil McToast · 04-24-2006, 02:14 AM

Hello everyone,
My first post! I am new to the hobby and I am already addicted. Anyway, I just wanted some opinions on my new 29 gallon future reef. My main objective is to house some softies and a couple LPS, along with a few clowns and various janitors.

Here is my list:
-29G tank 30"L X 18"H X 12"W
-10G DIY sump with a bio-ball compartment
-130W Orbit PC
-30 lbs. LS
-50 lbs. LR
-Skimmer- buying it Friday at LFS, it was working on a 50G display tank so it looked good to me. not sure what the name was though??? rated for 75G
-mag drive 3 return pump rated for 350GPH, but has to travel up about 3.5'. this is more than adequete, right?

-H.O.T. overflow
-open for sugestions on a power head
-Penguin 200 w/ Bio Wheel for mechanical filtration
-100W heater

So is this equipment able to handle my reef desires for softies and LPS. Please offer suggestions as to what should be added or changed because I'm still waiting for my pump to arrive. Best to know before I set everything up.

whatevva · 04-24-2006, 06:48 AM

Welcome to TRT!!

I believe the majority of people here will tell you to forget the bio-balls and bio wheel. They have a tendency to collect material and create nitrates. A good skimmer should be all that you need for filtration. The live rock with take care of the biological needs and it sounds like you're getting enough. Before you buy that skimmer, please tell us what brand and size it is. With the money saved from the other parts that you don't need, you might want to buy a better one. Good luck and ask lots of questions!!

tims · 04-24-2006, 07:01 AM

to TRT

i would look at upping the return to a mag5, you will like it a lot better. easier to adjust down then to try and figure out how to increase later on.

you dont really have to do the LS if you dont want to. the normal sand will become LS.. butch already hit on the other things.
Take a look at the FAQ section and the article "so you want a reef tank"
that will also give you some ideas..

Loverotties · 04-24-2006, 07:05 AM

Welcome to TRT! What kind of skimmer!Just because they have it on a tank,doesn't mean it's good!And that is a very important part of your system.

ChrisPrusha · 04-24-2006, 07:07 AM

Welcome aboard!! w000000000000t!!!

VWD · 04-24-2006, 07:09 AM

Welcome to TRT!!!!

Geoff · 04-24-2006, 08:32 AM

Welcome to TRT!!!

G~

Little Luey · 04-24-2006, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil McToast

-Skimmer- buying it Friday at LFS, it was working on a 50G display tank so it looked good to me. not sure what the name was though??? rated for 75G
.

Welcome, I hope you enjoy your time here with us; a few sugestions on your setup, I hope the skimmer is not a Seaclone, they have a tendency to stop working after a few monts if the ever worked to beging with. Agreed on the MAG5 for a return pump, you will loose some pressure when the pump is under the tank.
I notice you did not mention any other fish but clows, is that all you want?

For now enjoy

Hardhead Cat · 04-24-2006, 11:23 AM

Welcome to TRT!

HHC

piberoptikz · 04-24-2006, 11:33 AM

Wiskey · 04-24-2006, 11:33 AM

Welcome to TRT,

I agree with the other posts here, I would forget the bio-balls and biowheel because they become a nitrate factory, the only thing you really need is a great skimmer and a sump for filtration. If you want to get more elabrate a Refugiam with macro algae is another method of nutreant export.

Please elelabrate on this skimmer more, there are alot of bad skimmers out there, and they are not something to skimp on, help us prevent you from buying twice

For a powerhead I like seio's, a 620 or to will give you plenty of flow, and only use 8 watts, and the cool thing about seio's is that they put out a soft flow, not a blasting jet.

HTH,
Whiskey

reefBoyDc · 04-24-2006, 02:33 PM

Welcome to TRT!!!

I agree with all the advice these fine folks have given you.

In a 29 you don't need a powerhead if you go with a mag7 and a sqwd. The sqwd will alternate the current between 2 outlets, creating a nice wave action. That's what I had in my 29 and it worked well. Simple and effective.

I think your lighting is a bit on the low side for LPS. Many softies will be ok, but not all.

I also had a penguin HOB, but i just used it for surface agitation. I recommend it, but I would not put anything in there except a bag of carbon or something. No mechanical filtration is really needed in a reef tank. Get rid of the bio balls and wheel for sure.

You might wanna get 2 100-w heaters. Redundancy is always good, and I think 100W might be a little low.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Mark L · 04-24-2006, 03:51 PM

Welcome I have only been here a few days and I have already learned a ton from reading and asking a few questions.

leveldrummer · 04-24-2006, 04:37 PM

welcome, ive been here a few days as well, and i can tell you, after running the rat race in many other forums, you found a good place, listen to these people, they are friendly and smart. can i suggest the coral life super skimmers? thats the brand i went with, not very expensive and works great. check them out.

Evil McToast · 04-24-2006, 04:38 PM

so this is what I see

-so get rid of the bio-balls and replace them with LR in the compartment.
-get a stronger pump? I thought cycling the water 3-5 times per hour was sufficient, making a mag 3 great for the job, since it is pushing up 3.5'.
-and is 4.33 w/g enough to keep LPS toward the top of the tank, or should I scratch that idea?
-the skimmer has been running on the display tank for 2 years and the tank is beautiful, but I will have to find out what brand it is; but it isn't a seaclone.

-and why is mechanical filtration not needed for a reef?

lastly, what corals would you reccomend for a beginner; I like frogspawn and xenia.