[antegon]

Hey all, had a few questions about my 29 gal set up. Ive run several little salt setups through it in the past, but just recently moved and am now finally in place to really start right and take my time and build a great setup.

Here are the stats as it sits now -
-29 gallon glass
-Emperor 280gph overside filter with nifty bio wheel
-Purigen filter drop in - (I was told in a set up this small, this item could act as the protein skimmer)
-Filter drop in for phosphates and such - (Chicago water apparently has high lvls)
-Submerged Heater
-15 lbs aragonite bed
-10 lbs (4 pcs) Bali live rock
-Coralife dual bulb 10,000k/Actinic Light (the lower wattage unit, i think around 15 not sure)

1) Do I have enough circulation for the live rock i have now, plus 5 - 10 more lbs later, or do i need a powerhead as well?

2)Is the Purigen filter drop in enough to not need a protein skimmer? if not, any suggestions on brand/size?

3)Anything else that a good setup needs that Im missing?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Chad]

I would add about 15 more pounds of live rock and ditch the HOB filter. With live rock you won't really need the filter since the rock itself becomes your biological filtration media. In the long run this saves you lots time on filter cleaning and lots o money on replacing filter media.

If you do regular water changes, don't overstock the tank, and don't overfeed the livestock you won't need the purigen or phosphate reduction media at all. Again, for me it comes down to money. By doing water changes, feeding right and not overstocking I can avoid having to use and pay for phosphate reduction stuff.

I would get a couple of koralia pumps for the tank to up the circulation. I have two knano's on a pulse duo wavemaker in my 29 gallon.