hello everybody

[Kevin McG]

Hello everybody, I have decided to dive back into this hobby again after about 10 years of absense. I have started a 29 gallon tank that will consist mostly of fish right and LR .

Here is some pics of the beginnings.. what ya think? be nice! :D

http://www.mcgrade.com/Aquarium%20pictures/1.jpg
http://www.mcgrade.com/Aquarium%20pictures/2.jpg
http://www.mcgrade.com/Aquarium%20pictures/3.jpg

[Paul Pos]

On behalf on everyone, Welcome To Reef Central! (someone I'm sure will give you the proper welcome banner).

Your setup looks nice. My advice is to hit http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/74064top_search.gif alot. You'll find most of everything you need to know to get back into the hobby here. Good luck!

btw, are those live plants? What's your lighting plan?

[Kevin McG]

Originally posted by Paul Pos
On behalf on everyone, Welcome To Reef Central! (someone I'm sure will give you the proper welcome banner).

Your setup looks nice. My advice is to hit http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/74064top_search.gif alot. You'll find most of everything you need to know to get back into the hobby here. Good luck!

btw, are those live plants? What's your lighting plan?


Hi Paul, I am a frequent http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/74064top_search.gif flyer :D

Those plants are not live but I will in the future replace them with live ones. I am using the standard lighting that came with the hood and my local aquarium told me unless i planned on going with live corrals that would be just fine...do you agree?

I am looking forward to diving back into this hobby and I know this is the beginning of something fun... I even have my wife interested :lol:

[Paul Pos]

Originally posted by Kevin McG
I am using the standard lighting that came with the hood and my local aquarium told me unless i planned on going with live corrals that would be just fine...do you agree?

I would agree. Normal output fluorescent are fine for FOWLR. The coralline algae shouldn't have a problem growing under those. You can even grow mushroom corals under them if you're interested.

Nice work getting the spousal unit on board. It's especially helpful when the credit card bills come in. DOH! :eek:

[Paul Pos]

One more observation:

You might consider adding some more live rock. A general rule is to fill it with 1-2 lb/gal (depending on the density) or about 1/3 of the tank volume. More live rock will increase the capacity of your biological filter and make your tank able to handle a higher bioload. If it's not cured, you're going to have to wait until the tank is cycled before adding any livestock. If it is cured, I'd still recommend waiting a couple weeks in case there's any die-off. Or you could do what some people do and put some hardy fish in right away. It's really up to you.

btw, Nashua is a cool place to be.

My inflated $.02,
Paul

[milhouse74]

Welcome to reefcentral, and back to the hobby. I agree with the rock part, but I will also add that if you plan on live plants you may very well want to look into a light upgrade. NO lighting is fine for viewing light, but wont provide anough light for plants or corals for the most part.

David

[TippyToeX]

Kevin McG
[welcome]

Off to a great start. I'd agree, more live rock when you can. :)

[Kevin McG]

Thanks for all the great advice everybody, this looks like a great place to learn about the hobby. I will be adding a lot more LR in the upcoming weeks. After I get the tank looking the way I want it with the LR i will look into hte mushroom coral as suggested from others, I will in the meantime add a few hearty damsels.

thanks again everybody



PS. Paul have you ever visited nashua?

[milhouse74]

Don't add anything life, even damsels until the tank is fully cycled. Also before you add damsels, make sure you really really want them.

David