Newbie reefer Low Tech Set Up

[Chreefer]

Hello everyone !
Just wanted to use this thread to share my newbie experience with you all. I started cycling my 29 gal (30x12x18in) tank back in January of 2024. Cycled with Fritz turbo start and Dr. Tim’s ammonia for about 6 weeks.

When ammonia and nitrite were consumed within a 24 hour period I did a large water change about 50% (10gal) to lower my nitrates.

Added a pair of clowns in Feb 2024 but one did not do to well so I haven’t added another fish since. Ever since then i started soaking my pellets and mysis in garlic before feeding it to the black clown and he’s been doing well.

just last week I added some corals:

zoanthids
Kenya tree
Gonipora
Hammer
Green cabbage leather

They seem to be doing well. I am water changing 5 gal weekly with water from my LFS. I am target feeding the Gonipora with reef roids about 2x a week.

Equipment:
29 gal standard tank
Filter: TIDAL 55
Power Head: hyger mini
Lighting: AI prime 16HD flex mount 10in above water
Rock: Carib sea life rock 20lb and 2lb Marco rock
Sand: Carib sea 20lb
Coral Dip: 2 little fishies

No dosing or ATO at this time strict weekly water changes about 20% water volume for me which is 5 gal.


Any advice or input will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Stang67]

Welcome to the reef. I also started with a 29g. Simple hob filter.
Couple bits of advice. Get a cheap Rodi maker. I started with the Aquatic life ro Buddie it worked just fine for the amount of water for that sized tank. Also get a Ato. The cheap ones , 50$ or so, off amazon work just fine with a 5g bucket. Those two things will make life a bit easier. I would also recommend some Salifert test kits. At least the nitrate and phosphate to start with.

 

[mikst]

Nice! I also am about to start with a 29g tank and a pair of clowns. Keep up the good work.

 

[rc8t6353]

Welcome to Reef2Reef! Looks like you're off to a good start.

 

[strich]

Welcome and excited to see it grow! A few thoughts:

• If no ATO, then you may be slowly increasing your salinity as you exaporate water and you replace it with mixed salt water. So watch out for that.
• I think some macroalgae is always a good thing, as it helps create biodiversity, a sink for phosphates and nitrates, out competes pest algae, and oxygenates the water. Maybe get some Caulerpa (there are lots of nice looking ones IMO) to plant. Just be aware it is a thing you need to trim from time to time - Some people don't like the maintenance.

 

[Chreefer]

Welcome and excited to see it grow! A few thoughts:

• If no ATO, then you may be slowly increasing your salinity as you exaporate water and you replace it with mixed salt water. So watch out for that.
• I think some macroalgae is always a good thing, as it helps create biodiversity, a sink for phosphates and nitrates, out competes pest algae, and oxygenates the water. Maybe get some Caulerpa (there are lots of nice looking ones IMO) to plant. Just be aware it is a thing you need to trim from time to time - Some people don't like the maintenance.

Copy that !

Welcome to the reef. I also started with a 29g. Simple hob filter.
Couple bits of advice. Get a cheap Rodi maker. I started with the Aquatic life ro Buddie it worked just fine for the amount of water for that sized tank. Also get a Ato. The cheap ones , 50$ or so, off amazon work just fine with a 5g bucket. Those two things will make life a bit easier. I would also recommend some Salifert test kits. At least the nitrate and phosphate to start witth

Welcome to the reef. I also started with a 29g. Simple hob filter.
Couple bits of advice. Get a cheap Rodi maker. I started with the Aquatic life ro Buddie it worked just fine for the amount of water for that sized tank. Also get a Ato. The cheap ones , 50$ or so, off amazon work just fine with a 5g bucket. Those two things will make life a bit easier. I would also recommend some Salifert test kits. At least the nitrate and phosphate to start with.Thankc

Welcome to the reef. I also started with a 29g. Simple hob filter.
Couple bits of advice. Get a cheap Rodi maker. I started with the Aquatic life ro Buddie it worked just fine for the amount of water for that sized tank. Also get a Ato. The cheap ones , 50$ or so, off amazon work just fine with a 5g bucket. Those two things will make life a bit easier. I would also recommend some Salifert test kits. At least the nitrate and phosphate to start with.

thank you! Yea been topping off daily which is cool but going automated with the top offs sounds nice! Imma check it out I might order one tonight. Any recommendations ?

 

[Chreefer]

Welcome to Reef2Reef! Looks like you're off to a good start.

Thank you ! Excited to start the hobby !

 

[rc8t6353]

Thank you ! Excited to start the hobby !

Just be patient with progress and ask all the questions you have!

 

[kevgib67]

Good advice given, happy reefing!

 

[Chreefer]

Hi everyone just a

Hello everyone !
Just wanted to use this thread to share my newbie experience with you all. I started cycling my 29 gal (30x12x18in) tank back in January of 2024. Cycled with Fritz turbo start and Dr. Tim’s ammonia for about 6 weeks.

When ammonia and nitrite were consumed within a 24 hour period I did a large water change about 50% (10gal) to lower my nitrates.

Added a pair of clowns in Feb 2024 but one did not do to well so I haven’t added another fish since. Ever since then i started soaking my pellets and mysis in garlic before feeding it to the black clown and he’s been doing well.

just last week I added some corals:

zoanthids
Kenya tree
Gonipora
Hammer
Green cabbage leather

They seem to be doing well. I am water changing 5 gal weekly with water from my LFS. I am target feeding the Gonipora with reef roids about 2x a week.

Equipment:
29 gal standard tank
Filter: TIDAL 55
Power Head: hyger mini
Lighting: AI prime 16HD flex mount 10in above water
Rock: Carib sea life rock 20lb and 2lb Marco rock
Sand: Carib sea 20lb
Coral Dip: 2 little fishies

No dosing or ATO at this time strict weekly water changes about 20% water volume for me which is 5 gal.


Any advice or input will be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone ! Just wanted to share with you guys some new corals I picked up. This is my first Acan, I was wondering if he looks healthy? The video was from yesterday.
But yea some new Zoas and a scan for the tank picked up from a local seller. Lmk what you guys think