New Marine Tank - Help Needed

[ericsze]

Just started a 29 Gallon SW tank. So far, here's the attached equipment: Penguin 170, 100W Heater, Air pump. I'd like this tank to be fish only. There's fake plants in there along with some crushed coral for the bottom. I want this aquarium to have a life span of no more than 2 years from now (I'm in college, and will be moving out of this place when I graduate.)

So far all i've done is added salt to the water to get the specific gravity up to 1.021. Nothing else is done, I'm currently waiting for the "dust" to settle in the tank.

I've read that a good way to cycle the tank is to throw in a few coctail shrimp, so I think I'm going to follow that route.

Please give me some advice on what other equipment I need (example: do i need a protein skimmer for a 29G FO?). I'd like Lion's and Clownfishes, can I make this work? Please advise on any other collection of fish for this size tank as well.


Thanks!

[Guy W]

Not familiar with a Penguin 170. Is that a power filter or just a power head? If just a powerhead what are you using for filtration, if it's a power filter nuff said. Although I don't know if that filter is recommended for use with saltwater.

As for cycle, ya in a 29 gallon tank 1 or 2 raw dead cocktail shrimp in the tank for a good 30 to 45 days will cycle the tank.

Lions generally can't go with clowns. Perhaps a dwarf lionfish with a large clownfish like a Maroon or Tomato Clownfish, but they probably would be either too big for a 29 gallon tank or that would be all you could fit in there. 2 fish at 4+ inches each is a pretty heavy bioload for a tank that size.

I would pass on the Lionfish. They are messy eaters that will cause your water quality to fail fast if you don't keep up with it.

On the other hand 1 or 2 Percula clowns and 1 or 2 other small fish, along with some invertabrates like Shrimp/Crabs/Snails would be cool.

since you spent the money or crushed coral already I won't say ditch it for a deep sand bed, but I will say if your interested in having a better filtration system a sand beed at 4 to 6 inches will greatly aid in your filtration. There is a ton of info on the forums about Deep Sand Beds. Look into them and consider going that route.

Again for filtration not familiar with the penguin but that might not be good enough for saltwater. Consider Live Rock with 10 times per hour circulation (290 gallons of water flow) instead if you can swing spending some money on the tank. It won't kill your wallet but it's not free either. Also a ton of info on Live Rock here.

Once you get your filtration needs figured out cycle the tank and wait for a month to month and a half and you'll be ready for fish. while your waiting you can explore other live stock options, but I'd strear clear of the Lion Fish in a tank that size.

Guy

[BrianH]

I second what Guy said, and I'd suggest nixing the air pump. All those bubbles will create lots of salt creep when they break the surface.

Brian

[mogurnda]

Yep, I agree with those guys, and that a lion, even a dwarf, will be too big for a 29. Damsels, clowns, gobies, or blennies will work better. And I also agree with the idea of adding some hardy invertebrates. Cleaner shrimp, for example, are pretty and easy to care for.

If it was my tank, I'd go with a small HOB skimmer like a CPR bakpak (the "2" not the "2R" if you won't have live rock) or AquaC Remora. It will help keep water quality up, and does a great job of aeration. But there are plenty of people who go skimmerless, so I don't feel strongly. On the other hand, I agree with Guy about exchanging the airstone for a powerhead (without venturi). Bubbles will cause salt creep.

Again, if it was my tank, I would add 10-20 lbs live rock, depending on how much swimming room you want for your fish. It will really help keep nitrogenous waste under control. If you save money buy buying uncured rock, then you can cure it in the tank and you won't need cocktail shrimp.