A sump is pretty much the same price, if not cheaper than a fluval 305. Its pretty simple to build one yourself, and if you use your 29 as the sump then you only need an overflow for the 30, a return pump, and media.
Convert 29g fresh to 30b reef?
- Thread starter AnthonyJiz
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if you decide to go this route then glass-holes.com has complete overflow kits that are the cheapest iv seen and they even come with the drill bit and wooden guide for cutting, this is alot safer than a hob overflow and you wont have to worry about a power outage causing flooding, but like i said with that small of a tank you could def get away with really good HOB filters (this is how i was planning on setting it up before i decided to wait on the saltwater) and weekly water changes
Nah im just gonna get a 55 or a fluval 205, im not much of a DIY guy bc i dont wanna mess anything up, thanks alot though, BTW, can i use T8 lighting instead of T5? bc i already have a fixture for a T8 bulb.. im gonna stay with the 29 gallon!
i think if your going to use T8 then its going to have to have alot more wattage than with the T5 but then it depends on what corals you want to keep i like to go better with lighting so if i change my mind about what i want to keep then its no problem but if your not wanting to keep any light demanding things like sps or high light clams then it should be ok its just a lot less efficient than the T5 (if the T5 has individual reflectors of course)
To start with a canister filter is not a good start for a reef tank! If you use a canister you will have a difficult time with keeping low nitrates. Will it work? yes, is it worth the extra time and hassle? I don't think it is. Go with a sump that way you have a place for you skimmer, other equipment like phosephate reactor could also go in there.
Find coral that you like then get your light according to the PAR needed to keep them. The light you linked to is not that good and would have trouble keeping low light softies like ricordia. For a 30 breeder I would use a single 175 watt Metal halide or a nice 4 bulb T-5 with individual reflectors. If you want SPS then kick it up to a 250w metal halide say around 15k for color and growth.
Next you need a some power heads(wave makers) try Korilla for some good ones that are kinda cheap. You also need to add RODI water for your top off water(TDS should be close to 0).
Find coral that you like then get your light according to the PAR needed to keep them. The light you linked to is not that good and would have trouble keeping low light softies like ricordia. For a 30 breeder I would use a single 175 watt Metal halide or a nice 4 bulb T-5 with individual reflectors. If you want SPS then kick it up to a 250w metal halide say around 15k for color and growth.
Next you need a some power heads(wave makers) try Korilla for some good ones that are kinda cheap. You also need to add RODI water for your top off water(TDS should be close to 0).
Well i think im gonna get a 55 HOT Magnum canister filter or a Marineland 55gallon, but theres no way im doing a sump bc i have no room or another tank, im staying with the 29 like i said.. I want to be able to keep almost any kind of coral i see so i think i can get a nice T8?
T8 will not work well or at all for clams and SPS and some LPS, it's good for actinic light though. T8 par values rapidly deminish over a 6 -8 month period. If you can't fit a sump under your tank then you just have to keep the canister filter cleaned(like every other day) I own a Hot magnum and would say choose another filter that is easier to clean and get the lid on the right way. This alone may save alot of hassle. Also 20% water changes every week will be needed with out a skimmer or refugium.
You can do this but the upkeep is going to be substantial with out the right equipment. You'll most likely kill alot of coral trying to learn and maintain a healthy tank. The learning curve gets worse with SPS. I would wait on them for a year or so.
Ask alot of Q's when your unsure, myself or someone like me has most likely learned the hard way and could save you alot of work, money and frustration.
You can do this but the upkeep is going to be substantial with out the right equipment. You'll most likely kill alot of coral trying to learn and maintain a healthy tank. The learning curve gets worse with SPS. I would wait on them for a year or so.
Ask alot of Q's when your unsure, myself or someone like me has most likely learned the hard way and could save you alot of work, money and frustration.
yeah dont use canister i was saying to use hob filter they are different canisters with saltwater become nitrate factories, i suggest maybe something like the emperor 400 thats a good filter and has extra compartment for added media customization and also like a koralia 1 or 2 for flow
I'm gonna be using either a hydro 1 or 2 for flow, but i really dont know what to do about lighting, one of my friends has a 29gallon with 30lbs live rock n a 55 hemior or something that hob filter and he has a T8 with multiple coral and it's been up for over a year... He also has like 6 fish to! ones a tang also and another is a angel i think fairly 1-2inches.. It's not that i wanna be cheap about this whole thing its just that i really dont wanna waste money thats not needed, if i could get a T8 and still hold some LPS SPS and anenomie then i would be very happy instead of buying a $150 lighting... you guys get me? i really dont know how to go about this now hearing what you guys say, considering my friend did it for a year =/
A year is a short time for these animals life span, and there is a difference between survive and thrive. If you keep low light coral for a year it doesn't mean you'll do well with SPS. I'm trying to help you not spend money on things that will not work for what you want.
Look for used equipment on craigslist or RC or r2r you would only need 1 metal halide for your tank even a 150 would do most of what you want. I own T-5 and metal halides for different tanks. I bought 2 400w halides cheap on craigs list.
Also don't put an angel fish of any kind in with your coral unless your using coral to feed it. This fish will eventualy start to eat the coral. My coral beauty was fine for 4 years then the tank was just a big all you can eat buffet.
Look for used equipment on craigslist or RC or r2r you would only need 1 metal halide for your tank even a 150 would do most of what you want. I own T-5 and metal halides for different tanks. I bought 2 400w halides cheap on craigs list.
Also don't put an angel fish of any kind in with your coral unless your using coral to feed it. This fish will eventualy start to eat the coral. My coral beauty was fine for 4 years then the tank was just a big all you can eat buffet.
