new tank, am I on the right track?

[Tee]

Hi all, I'm new here and new to SW. I have 14 FW tanks up. I've started my 1st SW. I want a FOWLR. This is what I have so far:
29 gallon with 50lbs sand plus 4lbs LS to seed. I have a reqular HOB filter (no media) just for circulation, 2 strip lights 24" tubes. I'm going to pick up LR next week. The only fish I want are 2 clowns, I won't add them for several months.
My questions:
1. Do I need more sand? I have roughly 3 to 4 inches now.
2. How many pounds of LR should I get?
3. I can add another strip light, 24", what type of fluorescent bulbs should I use?
4. I have a spare powerhead, should I be using this in the tank? If so best way to use it.
5. Protein skimmer, Is it neccessary and which do you recommend?
6. Do I need anything else I might have missed?
NOTE: I am retired so I have more time than money Please keep this in mind when making suggestions

Thanks in advance, I really do appreciate your help

[Mikeman]

What kind of sand do you have and no you don't need more sand. I would say maybe like 20 to 40lbs of live rock, you could add another lightstrip but unless your going to keep low light corals like shrooms and leathers you don't need one. I use a skimmer because I don't have much time(I'm in 8th grade). I guess you don't really need one but they are handy, I recommend if you want one a bak/pak skimmer. If you don't use a skimmer, you could get some caulerpa(a type of plant) for nutrient export, they come in all sorts of colors and shapes, but you'll need to prune them so they don't go sexual. Also what kind of clowns are you going to get? Are you going to try and go for a mated pair? Really you could easily fit one more fish in their like a dottyback or goby if you want for.

enjoy

[Tee]

Thanks Mikeman, I used HD southdowns playground sand. I want to get the maroon/gold striped clowns, small ones. Should I use the powerhead for current? If so do I need the HOB filter? What brand and type light tubes do you recommend?
I might add another fish after awhile.
Thanks again for your help.

[organicreefer]

the hob filter is a good place for carbon if you use it and if you are only using 1 powerhead(yes use it) i would say run the hob place the powerhead facing the front of the tank to create good surface agitation.go with 4 inches or more of sand and 30 pounds or less of live rock(i dont like to cram tons of rock into my tanks the rocks are for shelter ,looks and to seed the tank with beneficial organisms,the sand will take care of filtration )enough rock to fill 25% of the volume of the aquarium is plenty imo and if youre trying to keep costs down and you have access to southdown read up on dsb's.if you keep just the clowns you prbably dont need a protien skimmer just dont overstock/overfeed. since you are going fowlr 2 24" flourescents is perfect one actinic one daylight is pretty standard but whatever you like the looks of best is what you should chose .

[Tee]

Thanks for the helpful info organicreefer, I really appreciate it.

[the_blue_tuna]

Without knowing what kind of rock you plan to use , it is hard to say weight wise how much you should have. My personal preference is about 40% by volume but the 25% mentioned would work on the light bio-load you mention. The rock that comes from the Pacific ( Fiji and Marshall Island for example) is lighter in weight per cubic foot than your Atlantic and aquacultured rock. I like the pacific rock better because it is more porous , providing more surface area for filtration and denitrification. It does not usually have the abundance of hitch hikers that your aquacultured rock has. Life is just full of trade offs. As for lighting in a F.O. tank the requirements consist of what looks best to you basically. 4 inches of sand will work for you. If you check out my site you will find lots of reading on DSB's among other things.Definately use the powerhead . Good surface agitation will insure good gas exchange in your tank and make your fishes lifes easier. I would also run a small skimmer . A backpak II would work for you . Check out the for sale or trade forum . Many times you can run across great deals . Also check E-bay . HTH.

[Tee]

Thanks tbt, I'll definately keep an eye on the sale/trade section and ebay. I've bought a lot of stuff on ebay for my FW tanks and have been very pleased.
Your site was really nice and helpful.
Thanks again.

[Tee]

also are the Lee's skimmers a waste of money? thanks

[orion25]

If you are going to use a skimmer get a power one. Avoid the airstone driven ones. They take up room in the tank. Also avoid the Seaclone. For a hang on try the Aqua-C Remora. It is used by many on this board & I have heard nothing but good tthings about it.

Ryan

[botp2k1]

Tee, I'll give my 2 cents as well.

I have two 29s, one is FOWLR and the other reef only.

Your questions:

1. Do I need more sand? I have roughly 3 to 4 inches now.

Your 3-4" is just like mine. I think that will suffice.

2. How many pounds of LR should I get?

Using Fiji as LR, I'd say 1.5-2 lbs per gallon sounds right.

3. I can add another strip light, 24", what type of fluorescent bulbs should I use?

Being fish only, you do not need special bulbs. I suggest you can save here and use what looks pleasing to you.

4. I have a spare powerhead, should I be using this in the tank? If so best way to use it.

Yes, the PH will help with flow around the tank.

5. Protein skimmer, Is it neccessary and which do you recommend?

Yes, use one, the small tank will benefit from the use of a skimmer. Having said that, I do not currently use one, have not decided to or not for my own tanks.

6. Do I need anything else I might have missed?

Your choice of two clowns may change, you already have said you may look into additional fishes. Hmm...maybe a skimmer is looking more and more like a good idea?

I plan to use macroalgae to remove nitrates myself as Mikeman pointed out regarding the Caulerpa.

Lee's air driven skimmers may or may not be a waste of money. Depending on your upkeep. If it ended up being a waste of money - at the most, it is a small waste. I have seen others complain about their skimmers which costs $75 and up. I had a hang on skimmer which did cost me $75 a while back, it was an Amiracle Hang On (it did feel like a miracle when I got it to skim right). Didn't like it, I sold it. I currently have a Berlin air lift, it is sitting around with a years worth of replacement air stones, I may plan on using it on one of my tanks just to finish the supply. I like it better than the Amiracle but it does take up room in the tank though.

If I were to upgrade to another skimmer, like Ryan said, I would get the Remora, have heard many good things about that one too.

[Tee]

Thanks! The caulerpa sounds interesting, I may check into that as well.
Do these lights sound ok? 1 - Coralife actinic, 1 coralife trichromatic.
Also what do you think of the Visi-Jet protein skimmer?
Thanks again, I really appreciate everyones help.

[botp2k1]

I cannot help you with the flour. lights, I only have MH on mine. On the visi-jet, I'd skip that one, too small. I think a air driven one is better than that.

[organicreefer]

youre bulbs sound fine for a fowlr...try to pick a combo that you have seen on a setup tank and liked

[saltjunkie]

I would get a skimmer that hung on the back of the tank. But stay away from SeaClone, imo. There are plenty of the more inexpensive skimmers out there that will work. The 2 that come to my mind are the Bak-Paks and Aqua c's. Both of these have an options surface skimmer, which will be benificial. The G.S. Maroon clowns are sweet, here is mine

[Tee]

many thanks to all, love that picture saltjunkie I'm watching ebay for one of those skimmers you recommended.