30 Gallon Upgrade Advice

[rubikcube]

I have about 300 dollars to spend on upgrading my tank. I need some advice on what to get. Here is what I have so far...

30 Gallon FOWLR
Two Ocellaris Clowns
Some blue leg hermits
25 pounds live rock
Eclipse 3 light/filter(i know, i know)
3.5 inch DSB
Biowheel removed and replaced with purigen and phosguard

Water chemistry has been perfectly stable for about 9 months. Nitrates have been 0 for about 6 months. I don't do water changes as much as I probably should, maybe once every 5 weeks. I change water with Oceanic salt and RO water from the grocery store. I test with basic test strips from Petsmart and a hydrometer.

I would like to do a reef with maybe frogspawn, mushroom, button polyps, hammer, or bubble coral. I'd also like to get some kind of shrimp. I would be interested in getting more rock at some point as well.

What do I do to upgrade?

Protein skimmer - I don't have one right now, so this might be a no brainer. I was thinking either the AquaC Nano Remora or maybe 2 CurrentUSA Fissions to save money.

Lights - I am pretty sure that I want the 30" Orbit fixture. Would this be enough for the corals listed?

Powerheads - I really don't have a clue about this. Any advice is appreciated.

Test kits - I know I probably need something better than a test strip if I am going to do reef stuff.

RO/DI - Should I maybe get an RO/DI system and put off the reef for a while?

Any thoughts?

 

[melosu58]

Well first thing is if you are planning on having a reef you`ll need to change water more than every 5 weeks. The RO/DI will be a good addition as tap water contains many impurities that will harm your corals depending what it`s like in your area. The skimmer will be huge also as it will remove DOC`s from your tank water that later on will turn into nitrates that will fuel bad algeas. Those lights I`m not familar with. I use VHO`s.

 

[blazeyreef]

well do you have a 29gall or 30gall? cause they have diff. demensions!
Lights - I am pretty sure that I want the 30" Orbit fixture. Would this be enough for the corals listed?
yes It would, that is 130 watts with 2 lunar lights and IMO that is good... you dont have an HIGH light corals (does he? I diddnt think their were any) thats about 4-5 watts per gallon.....

 

[Guest]

The standard 29 is 30" and the standard 30 is 36".

I am not a big fan of the Orbit. I have the Coralife Lunar light and I couldn't be more satisfied. I have only had my tank up 3 momths and I have coraline spreading everywhere and all my corals (polyps, sotf, LPS) are growing rapidly. I have the 192 watt over my 30 so it is a good amount of light.

If you have a 29 it is 130 watts and they are all on sale right now at Dr. Fosters. For a 30 you get about 6.4 wpg.

The orbit is the same price but I have heard they are not as dependable though I have no first hand experience. Others also like T5 and VHO as Mel stated.

 

[rubikcube]

It's a 29. I usually just refer to it as a thirty not remembering that there is a difference in dimensions.

I think I'm going to get the lights and remora skimmer. What about powerheads? I really don't have any idea what to get. Would two mini-jet 606s be ok?

Should I get a hang on back power filter? I have heard differing opinions on this. The LFS says yes, but I've heard that the live rock is enough.

 

[Guest]

equip.

Good choice on the skimmer.

You do not need an HOB except in a situation where you need to run carbon but they are good for a QT tank.

As far as PH go, 2 AC 20's is what I wouls go with: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4644&N=2004+113040

Alot of people like Maxi-jets to:


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4609&N=2004+113040