Our 29 FOWLR build.

Well...our 25 gallon was a no go for now, so we upgraded to a 29 (we don't have room for anything bigger, and it was $50 for tank, stand, hood, filter, heater, etc) I will be using my filter from the 25, since it is a better filter, but keeping this one as a backup plan with my old filter as well.

Right now our task list is something like this:

Reinforce the stand (it is marketed for 29gal tanks, but says it can only hold 290lbs so we are going to reinforce it)

Build shelving in the stand

Buy more 5 gallon buckets (we used them for our base rock project, they will never be the same LOL)

Transfer the water from 25 gallon tank, add more to finish it off

Transfer rocks from 25g

Buy more rocks

Buy refractometer (I get that tomorrow! YAY!! No more hydrometer telling me my specific gravity lowered without a water change or top off!)

Retest the tank parameters

Buy fish!

So here is the potential stock list we have going, to some debate.

-Lemon peel Angel ( I know they're a pain to acclimate, and there is a great debate about 20 or 30 gallons, but is 29 gallons vs 30 gallons going to kill it or cause a big issue? Probably not...(right?) This would be the last fish into the tank, as they are territorial.

- 1 Ocellaris clown, not sure if I want black or orange yet, it'll depend on what they have that week at the LFS.

- I really would like a royal gramma, but I can't seem to find any on island, so if we don't find one, we will likely get a firefish. 

- I REALLY want a fire shrimp, but again..finding one on island will be tricky.

- and a small CUC, I have no idea what to do here. I do not like snails, I do not like crabs...I don't want to stick my hand in a tank with either of them lol. I strongly considered not having one, but I have a sand bed, and I can't imagine cleaning it without a crew. If I go bare bottom can I skip the CUC? I understand that means more work for me, just wondering if they are really essential, or just make maintenance easier.

Also, just wondering...I have been told to add the CUC first, and also been told to add it last so I know what I actually need...which do you think is best? I don't know what the "majority vote" is, so use my poll please :D

Can I put two clowns in without changing the stock list, or should I adjust to add in the 2nd?

Ok, then we will gladly go for two...they're the reason we started a saltwater tank anyway :)

Is there a specific type of hermit to use for cleaning the sand? Just wondering, as I know there are several different kinds, and I haven't looked into them much for a SW tank, though I had some as pets when I was younger.

The LFS has these in stock right now:

Zebra Hermit/Leftys
Halloween Hermit

Anemone Hermit Crab

I will be looking into the zebra and Halloween hermits, they're pretty neat looking.

Well this all just changed again! We found a place on the island that stocks coral!! So, the quest for better lights is on! They only have zoas, but it's better than nothing! Though, this also means no lemonpeel...maybe my husband will let me leave the 25 up as a FOWLR haha! As this stands though, we will now be studying up more seriously on coral keeping, buying test kits, and lights and so on! Are there reef safe dwarf angels that would be ok in this size tank? I really love the lemon peels, but I cannot refuse my husband's $400 offer!

 Oh yeah...by the way, he just told me when taxes come next week I can have $400 for my tank I am so giddy!

The same LFS also said he can place an order for pretty much any fish I want, where as the place I have been using doesn't...so yippie! He was specifically talking about the royal gramma, and said he doesn't have any now, but the next time he places an order he will get some in so I can come grab one, as he said they sell like crazy when he has them in stock.

So the new idea for the tank is as follows:

Angel- I have no idea. I really like angels, so I would want one in the tank, but with the addition of zoas, I don't know what to do. As far as I can tell, none of the dwarf angels are reef safe. His position might be filled with something else...Ideas? If I can't have a lemonpeel (they are known to eat zoas) or a different angel then I would ideally like something blue, red, or yellow in its place that will not cause issues, but is as active as an angel.

2 clowns- 1 black, 1 orange!

1 royal gramma

1 Halloween hermit

1 Zebra hermit

Hopefully 1 fire shrimp

I don't know how many hermits I will need, so I am just going to slowly add them to the tank as I go. I will also look into starfish. Lots of researching to do again at this point in the game, since my stock list has changed up so much.

I am considering doing a Hi-fin red-banded goby with a pistol shrimp, as I have heard they are entertaining. Don't know much about them though, so we will see as I learn more.

What about a Yellow Assessor Basslet? It would bring in the yellow, but be better for keeping with zoa. Opinions?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTLDreef 

The yellow assessor is a very cool little fish. I love watching them when they swim upside down. You can't mix them with the royal gramma though, especially in that size tank, they'll fight.

Ok, well I love the royal gramma, so I guess the yellow assessor is out while we're in the 1 nano tank world. I will definitely keep him in the back of my mind for when we move and get a bigger tank though, neat looking fish. We are going down to the 2 LFS's tonight to take a look at different fish as possibilities (not ready to stock yet, but to get an idea of what we may want) since it is harder trying to find certain fish on the island that I can find info about online. Are the Instant Ocean brand (Reef Master) test kits any good for coral? I know that is what the one store stocks, not sure about the other.

We are adding onto the "to do list"

We are going to paint the back of the tank black. Hopefully it will look nice when we get done. I think that is my project tonight!

New lights has been ordered...went with a T5 fixture, should arrive Tuesday or Wednesday. Tonight we are off to buy the paint for the back wall and wood to reinforce my stand and add shelving.

I hope so! I have done my fair share of painting, so hopefully it goes smoothly...literally.