29 Gallon Build Improvements

dyson7 · Jul 3, 2024

Hello Reefers! Here seeking for advice. Im a young reefer still in high school that has been doing this for almost a year now, did mainly freshwater my whole life. My livestock is: 2 Clownfish, 1 Blue Damsel (very calm), and 1 Goniopora Colony (very small). I first had these fish in a 29 gallon tank, then moved them to a 60 gallon tank. I was really inconstant with the maintenance as i got lazy and started to lose interest, and with financial issues it made it worst. The tank had a really bad algae outbreak and just looked horrible, so i decided to step my game up. Started watching BRS videos about water chemistry as i had a coral but never tested for Mag, Cal, Alk, etc. Neither did i dose it, so my Goniopora wasnt looking well. My fish were always fine, but could use better nutrition and care. I had this brand new 29 gallon tank lying around since i got rid of my old one, so i decided to rebuild it again. Painted the back black, put it on this nice wood stand, had a canister filter from the 60 gal so put that on it. Had this LOOP light bar so put that on it also. Have this 825 GPH Powerhead (Ik its really strong for a tank this small) but still decided to put it on for now, and obviously a heater. What i am seeking now is for improvements. From what ive described i have in the tank and equipment, how can i prepare or get into the steps of creating a sick reef, mainly soft and lps (maybe one or two sps) and some cool fish. Also want an anemone so dont think i will be getting into sps until im really experienced and have a bigger tank. As watching the BRS videos, one thing i mainly learned was keeping the tank simple and not overcomplicating it. I really like fish as there my favorite pet and really want to just bring my dream tank alive. On a budget, wouldnt mind spending some more but just want to keep the cost low and effective as im the one putting in all the cash lol. I know a lot about saltwater tanks, but really am seeking advice from a very experienced reefer. THANKS (ALSO ONE MORE THING, IS A SUMP NECESSARY? I WAS PLANNING ON FOR NOW JUST HAVING THE CANISTER PLUS A HOB SKIMMER, THEN ONCE I GET A BIGGER TANK HAVE A SUMP ON THAT ONE. GOOD IDEA?)

TX_REEF · Jul 3, 2024

Welcome! Sump is totally not necessary, but can be nice to have as a way to increase total system water volume and hide equipment. You're totally fine to use the canister filter/HOB filter.

dyson7 · Jul 3, 2024

TX_REEF said:
Welcome! Sump is totally not necessary, but can be nice to have as a way to increase total system water volume and hide equipment. You're totally fine to use the canister filter/HOB filter.

Perfect thanks will add a HOB Skimmer in the future as well

PharmrJohn · Jul 3, 2024

You don't really need a sump for a 29g tank IMO. But it WOULD help. A small Tunze Comline DOC DC 9004 skimmer would work well. The HOB would help some. You've just got to decide if you have enough time to deal with this though. It was 43 years ago when I was your age but I remember vividly what my life was like in HS. Work, study, extracurricular activities and, of course, friends took ALL my time. I wouldn't have been able to do it. But if you have the time, go for it. It'll give you some good experience for the larger and larger tanks you'll get into as you age.

dyson7 · Jul 3, 2024

PharmrJohn said:
You don't really need a sump for a 29g tank IMO. But it WOULD help. A small Tunze Comline DOC DC 9004 skimmer would work well. The HOB would help some. You've just got to decide if you have enough time to deal with this though. It was 43 years ago when I was your age but I remember vividly what my life was like in HS. Work, study, extracurricular activities and, of course, friends took ALL my time. I wouldn't have been able to do it. But if you have the time, go for it. It'll give you some good experience for the larger and larger tanks you'll get into as you age.

Perfect thanks man will definitely put more time this time since I got it love the hobby to much to let it go lol