New 30G Tank Setup, I have a question?

billyjoemac

Member
eventually I will upgrade lighting and was given a tunze nano skimmer by a friend. I hear these skimmers are great for this size tank. I wont add it for months bc i see no reason to, unless someone tells me otherwise
 

rickross23

Active Member
Add the skimmer. You can add whatever lr you like to the tank. The skimmer needs a break in period so in a month, then it may start to produce gunk. In a month, you may need a skimmer. Get it running now.
 

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickross23 http:///t/391636/new-30g-tank-setup-i-have-a-question/20#post_3474867
Add the skimmer. You can add whatever lr you like to the tank. The skimmer needs a break in period so in a month, then it may start to produce gunk. In a month, you may need a skimmer. Get it running now.
While this is true for lower end skimmers, high end well built skimmers take less than a week. The Tunze is a high end skimmer...
Also, for any skimmer you could get it working quickly by soaking it in a vinegar bath. 2-4 cups of white vinegar to one gallon of water. The vinegar helps to wash off the waxy/oily substance on the inside of a new skimmer so that organics can more easily attach to it. IE, it makes the skimmer work more quickly.
I recommend getting a head start skimming on a tank... Many new hobbyists tend to overfeed their systems and don't have adequate filtration in the first place. Then the new hobbyist comes back and starts a thread "what is this red stuff and why is hair algae growing?" ... anyways, you get the idea.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SnakeBlitz33 http:///t/391636/new-30g-tank-setup-i-have-a-question/20#post_3474871
While this is true for lower end skimmers, high end well built skimmers take less than a week. The Tunze is a high end skimmer...
Also, for any skimmer you could get it working quickly by soaking it in a vinegar bath. 2-4 cups of white vinegar to one gallon of water. The vinegar helps to wash off the waxy/oily substance on the inside of a new skimmer so that organics can more easily attach to it. IE, it makes the skimmer work more quickly.
I recommend getting a head start skimming on a tank... Many new hobbyists tend to overfeed their systems and don't have adequate filtration in the first place. Then the new hobbyist comes back and starts a thread "what is this red stuff and why is hair algae growing?" ... anyways, you get the idea.
I second this, very true. You want to start skimming asap, you are going to eventually need it so you may as well start now. I have a hang on CPR that works fine but just bought a new canister style one that goes below the tank in my sump. Also consider getting equipment that is rated higher than what you currently have so that way when you upgrade "as we all do at some point" you wont be stuck buying new equipment. :)
 
My tank just finished cycling. I am starting off with a 29g. It took my tank 2 months and 1 day to finish the cycle. I started off with dry sand and base rock. Towards the end of my cycle I added ONE live rock to the tank.
Patience is indeed a good thing in this hobby. I spent two months wishing I had a critter to watch LOL.
My thread is also here in the New Hobbiest section.
 

billyjoemac

Member
got my tunze nano skimmer ordered, will buy 10-15 pounds like rock each week until it looks good. I will be adding a background soon, just havent got around to it yet, been spending monies on necessities
 

flower

Well-Known Member
Hi,
You need more rock, and be sure it is on the bottom of the tank and not build on shifting sand...critters dig, and that could topple the rock killing the critter or breaking the glass. The little critter is an Asterina star.
Looking good so far!
 
J

jeffs

Guest
Wow! I see the patience didn't last long (j/k), looks nice, and it appears you made alot of upgrades! I hope you got rid of the towel under the tank, depending on your climate, and the furniture it's supposed to protect, water can seep under the tank and rot towel and the furniture.
 
M

menaceandme

Guest
So, what kind of lights did you end up getting? i just started one myself.. lots of cheaper items on craigslist and ebay.. just keep looking around.. got my lights for $75 off of ebay. 2 T5, 2 actinic, and 4 led moonlights.. and got 15 lbs of live rocks with like pods in them for $25.. just keep lookin around..
 

billyjoemac

Member
sorry my camera kind of sucks. Yes I moved the towel, haha. We actually moved into a new house so I have a nice little set up. Im running a 250W MH, 4 actinic T5HO, and a couple led moodnights. I met a guy here in town that sells frags for 8 bucks, except the purple acro i paid 15 for (not pictured). He gave me several as well. I gave had them about 3 weeks and they all appear very healthy. been doing a 5 gal water change every sunday when I check levels. the xenia and birdsnest have nearly doubled in size.
 
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