Hello everyone :)

[Massiso]

Hi every one I have been reading this forum for a week and its been really informative :) I have had my tank for about 4 years but its only been up for like 2 years so for the past 2 years its been neglected :( my wife's been reminding me to do something about it since then.

Today I started my new project, my last attempt to this hobby was not pretty (algae) but this time I think I have the time and she is willing to help me :) so to start I tell you what I have to play with:

29g Eclipse tank 3 stage filtration sys.
Elite Submersible 150w heater
30lbs of sand
and I'll be buying the live rock tommorow
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua002.jpg (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua002.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua001.jpg (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua001.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua003.jpg (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua003.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)
I also have a second tank not sure the water capacity is but I think is 18/20g tank I think is perfect for fresh water, heater and filtration and an air pump.

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua005.jpg (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua005.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)

Now my goal is to have a fish only tank due to the lighting limitations that I have, so I want to aim for one Lion Fish habitat with maybe a couple of other fish using the Eclipse for the Lion and the other for the "feeder fish"

So do I need 25lbs pf live rock? and is 29g big enough for a Lion fish?

Please if there are any suggestions let me know.

Thank you for your time. :confused:

[Reefscape]

The live rock will all depend on the capability of the filtration, i do not know the tank, so i cannot say if its capable of supporting a marine system..

But, if it is, then you dont HAVE to have any live rock if you dont it. The 1 - 1.5lb per gallon rule is there if you are not using other filtration. So, you only need to buy rock for decoration, hiding places etc etc....

At best, in a 29, i would only go with a dwarf lion, if that is your chosen route for stock..and that is, in my opinion, touch and go with size...

Hope this helps a little

Niko

[Massiso]

Thank you for the input the lady at the fish store said that I don't really need the LR but I think I want it for docorative pursoses.

I tried using the Hydro meter and its giving me a reading of 1.016 I bought salt enough for a 55g tank and I have used about 1/3rd of it, the lady said to get it to 1.020 and I should be okay but @ the rate of salt am going it seems that I'll use the whole bag, does that sound right to you :confused: I was reading the case the meter came in and it said to put salt water in it for the first 24hrs is that why am getting a low reading?

Thank you for your time :)

[Reefscape]

sometimes it can a while for the sg to balance out...We always recomend somewhere between 1.023 - 1.025 is a good area to get too..

[Weezer]

Welcome.....:hi:

[i_limantara]

Thank you for the input the lady at the fish store said that I don't really need the LR but I think I want it for docorative pursoses.

I tried using the Hydro meter and its giving me a reading of 1.016 I bought salt enough for a 55g tank and I have used about 1/3rd of it, the lady said to get it to 1.020 and I should be okay but @ the rate of salt am going it seems that I'll use the whole bag, does that sound right to you :confused: I was reading the case the meter came in and it said to put salt water in it for the first 24hrs is that why am getting a low reading?

Thank you for your time :)


1.016???? it's too low.... you need to archive 1.023 - 1.026 , from my exp.... my anemon has not open in below than 1.020 (the worst of my gravity one time).

[Massiso]

I am having a bad time with this Hydro Meter, I just tested the water again and it gives me different reading every time I dip it :(

[craglord]

if it is a swing arm type, i had the same problem, and then realised that there were bubbles beneath the arm. Place the hydrometer in slowly, so that no bubbles enter. It worked for me!

[Gildurath]

If it is a swing arm hydrometer, then I whack it pretty hard, a bunhc of times with my trusty wooden spoon I use for mixing my salt water. This usually gets all the tiny bubbles off it and gives a true reading. I used to use my finger to thwap it, but it hurt my nail, so I switched to the spoon and now I can hit it really hard to get all air off it.

[rbishop]

Welcome!

[Reefscape]

Personally, i would change to the float hydrometer, or better still, a refractometer....dont trust the swing needle type at all..

Niko

[Massiso]

Thanks all, I finaly reached 1.021 on the Hydro Meter :) so I'm going to get some live rock today and a couple of starter fish.

When I was at the fish store they had 2 kinds of L/R Fiji and a "Cultured Rock" she said the cultured was man made and was lighter and in her opinion was a better choice, now you can see that she had an abundance of that and little of the Fiji rock she also mention that the cultured rock was semi cured.

What do you think would be better? and what fish should I be looking @ before I get my Lion in there?

Thank you for your time :)

[Massiso]

Okay I went got myself 12lbs of cultured live rock and 8lbs of another type which I don't know what's called, and a few fish :grinyes:

Here they are :)

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua023.jpg (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua023.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua016.jpg (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua016.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua022.jpg (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua022.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua021.jpg (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l143/massiso/Aqua021.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)