Starting over

[saltwaternewbie]

Okay like 2 years ago i bought the tank (29G are the seals still good?), the sand, the filter, protien skimmer and the salt (is it still good). I have a few questions and i need a few things i need lighting, and power heads?
What power head i do need ideas? I want to do a reef tank with a few fish, invertabrates, and basic corals. first time around with salt water.
Light wise i think i am looking at 3-4 watts per gallon. What something with moonlights. i had this all down pat when i first started it 2 years ago but i have forgotten a few things and i think i need a jump start. any help would be great i love this website and everyone on here is great!!!! thank you
ideas on anything are very welcome

 

[aquarium125g]

the only idea i can give you is buy what you can affort and begin with fish only then get corals that way you can start learning.

 

[tank a holic]

i disagree that you should buy what you can afford
here's why
you need to decide what you want to end up keeping, and buy what you need to keep it off the bat, you can spend a few hundred off the bat, or several hundred in upgrades later
now i do agree that you should start with fish only, a tank needs to be minimum 6 months old before you even think about corals and anemones
to see if your seals are still good, (i would say they are but...) fill the tank for 3 days to a week and check thoroughly for leaks, you will lose water level due to evaporation but if there is a leak you will see a puddle...
what kind of sand and salt do you have?? they should be good if your salt isn't hard as a rock and not just any old sand can be used...
skimmer may or may not work, when you fill your tank plug it in and try it if it works it works, if not then no....
as for power heads, yes you need em, but which ones depends on what you want to keep, but you need at least enough to cycle 10 times per hour, in this case 290 gph
i recommend koralia's, in a 29 you should get by with two 1's or a 1 and a 2 up to you, some corals need allot of flow, some corals not so much...
don't forget a heater, i would actually recommend 2 in case one goes bad...
lighting i can't help you with post a thread in the lighting forum and ask there

 

[bizzmoneyb]

try filling the tank with the hose to make sure it isnt leaking!
i believe a good starting point with powerheads is to get your tank to turn over 20-30 times per hour. so 20x for you would be 580 GPH. some people do less, some do more, but I think that would work for you.
now with lighting, its not just about wattage. yes, 3-4 watts per gallon is good, but the type of light you go with will determine what you can and cant keep. you said you want to do reef so I would go with either metal halide lighting or T5 with individual reflectors.
always get the best stuff you can, even if it takes alittle while to save up alittle more cash. it will save you in the long run.

 

[saltwaternewbie]

Thanks Alot you guys are a huge help might go shopping this weekend