Where to begin...?

[pepshrimp]

Planning to purchase atleast an 28-30G tank in about half a month. I will be taking my time with this hobby, so I can learn before I place any fish in and so the fish are happy in their new habitat.
For the time being, this will be a fish only tank and the lfs has wonderful kits and stands all-in-one prices. I will play around with the tank for least 2 months before I start adding fish. So this thread is more about the equipment than fish.
Alot of the threads that I'm sure you will direct me to are for tanks 100+ and are quite confusing. For the time being, will a kit suffice? Can someone breakdown the products that I should be getting. Something I can research prices with and take to the lfs and say I need. Any help would be great.
Thanks for the time.

 

[oceanists]

Well unfortunatly , the kits the lfs sell arent near what you need
if your just setting up , your going towant a , Protien Skimmer , a couple of power heads a better filter than you are recieveing , cannister or wet dry is best for beginers , and your going to want to get Live Rock also as that will also act as natural filteration , a heater , a gfci Power strip , a digital thermometer , a hydrometer ,and severel test kits ...................... hope that helps you out with the equipment part..... and welcometothe hobby, your doing the right thing by asking first

 

[fishmamma]

I have a 29 gallon tall with the following: Bio-wheel HOB filter (rated for 50 gallons), an Aqua C Remora HOB skimmer, heater, and 2 Maxi-jet powerheads (900 and 600). I run a single strip of 65 watt PC with moonlights for lighting since this is FOWLR for the time being, but I have the ability to upgrade to a reef at any time since all inhabitants are reef safe.
The picture below shows what about 40-45 pounds of live rock would look like. I have added about 10 more pounds since. Adding rock is expensive so you can start with about 25-30 pounds and add on here and there you if you have a LFS with cured rock available.

 

[devaji108]

You might want to find a bigger tank! I got a good on deal on a used 90 gal. Fish only.
It came w/ all the goodies. Heater, stand and canopy, wet/ dry a couple of test kits, return pump and extra power head. And I got an even better deal on my 125. so look around there seams to be a lot of people that need to let there tank go. And they love it when they know it’s going to a good home!

 

[pepshrimp]

fishmamma, all that equipment you mentioned has worked well for you?
thanks everyone for the advice. ill start with the kit and while its cycling...ill be purchasing all of the above so when the 'kids' come home, theyll be in heaven.
appreciate it greatly.

 

[milomlo]

HI and welcome!
I too am new to this hobby. So far I love it.
Here is what I have:
29 gal
15 lb Live Rock
15 lb base rock
30 lb sand (I didn't do Live Sand)
Equipment:
Penguin 350 BioWheel-rated for a 75 gal tank circulates 350 gph (gallons per hour)
2 Maxi Jet 900 Powerheads 230 gph each
USED CPR Bak Pak Protein skimmer
Odyssea 130W of PC lighting 1x65W bulb 12000K & 1x65W bulb actinic 03 (this is not enough lighting for LPS and anenomes, but should be enough for all other corals - so I have been told from all these wise people on this board)
I purchased alot of my stuff at a very reasonable price if you are interested in sites that I purchased from just shoot me an email - miketracyowens@entouch.net
I forgot to mention: My filter and skimmer are HOT (hang on tank) items so I have no other storage places.
Also if you want to get a QT set up, Walmart has a 10 gal kit with everything you would need for a QT except a powerhead.

 

[fishmamma]

Originally Posted by pepshrimp
fishmamma, all that equipment you mentioned has worked well for you?
thanks everyone for the advice. ill start with the kit and while its cycling...ill be purchasing all of the above so when the 'kids' come home, theyll be in heaven.
appreciate it greatly.
Yup. I actually have the same filter as milomlo, the Penguin 350 so I was mistaken in it's ratings. What I have running now has been great for a FOWLR set-up. I would need more circulation and lighting if I were to go reef.
I seeded my sand bed with 3 pounds of live sand from LFS instead of buying all packaged live stuff. I used the cured live rock to start my cycle. This is an effective means if you stock VERY slowly.
What are you planning on for fish? :jumping:

 

[pepshrimp]

I have no clue about the fish yet. I want shrimp and some snails, but fish I dont know.
Worrying about the equipment at this point. But youll here from me once the fish are ready to be placed.
any suggestions?

 

[treybom]

pick up the book... The conscientious Marine aquarist by robert m fenner!! greta book

 

[fishmamma]

In a 29 gallon there is a long list of things you can't have....but here are some popular fish for a tank this size:
clownfish
dwarf angels
blennies
gobies
basslets/psuedochromis
wrasse
Not every fish in this category will be suitable but you get the idea. :joy: