Stunning 29-Gallon Reef Tank by Paul | Reef2Reef
Tank Specifications
Volume: 29 Gallons / 109 Liters
Dimensions (L × W × H):
30.0" ×
15.0" ×
17.0"
76.2cm ×
38.1cm ×
43.2cm
Equipment List
- Salt: Red Sea
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up a reef tank like the 29 gallon BioCube?
To set up a reef tank like the 29 gallon BioCube, start with the following steps: 1. **Tank and Stand**: Place your BioCube on a sturdy stand. 2. **Filtration and Media Setup**: Install the InTank media rack and fill with polyfloss, Rowaphos (phosphate remover), carbon, and Purigen (water quality enhancer). 3. **Live Rock and Substrate**: Add approximately 30 lbs of live rock and 20 lbs of Reef Flakes substrate. 4. **Heater and Water Circulation**: Install a Hydor Theo 100w heater, controlled via a ReefKeeper and set to 78°F. Upgrade your pump to MJ1200 and add two MP-10 VorTech pumps for flow. 5. **Lighting**: Use AI Vega LEDs and set a light schedule mimicking natural sunrise and sunset. 6. **Dosing**: Set up two BRS dosing pumps to manage calcium and alkalinity levels. 7. **Monitoring**: Regularly monitor salinity, temperature, pH, nitrates, and phosphates to maintain a healthy environment.
What are the key parameters to monitor in a reef tank?
Key parameters to monitor regularly in your reef tank include: - **Temperature**: Aim for 78°F. - **Salinity**: Maintain at 1.026. - **pH**: Keep between 7.95 and 8.1. - **Nitrates (NO3)**: Maintain around 10 ppm. - **Ammonia (NH3)**: Should be at 0 ppm. - **Calcium (Ca)**: Target around 450 ppm. - **Alkalinity (KH)**: Maintain at about 11.25 dkh. - **Phosphates (PO4)**: Ideally should be 0 ppm for a healthy coral environment. - **Magnesium (Mg)**: Level should be at 1620 ppm, noting that higher levels may be needed if combating algae.
How often should I perform water changes?
Water changes should be performed weekly, with 5 gallons being a good amount for a 29 gallon tank. It's important to use high-quality salt such as Red Sea Coral Pro Salt, and measure out 675 grams of salt for each bucket of mixed water.
What should I feed my reef tank inhabitants?
For feeding your reef tank: - **Daily**: Use LRS Reef Freenzy Nano Packs. Cut a week's worth of chunks at once for convenience. - **Wednesdays and Sundays**: Feed with Reef Chilli mixed with Seachems Reef Plus and tank water. This variety helps meet the nutritional needs of your fish and coral while encouraging a balanced ecosystem.
How do I properly quarantine new corals or fish before adding them to my main tank?
To quarantine new corals or fish: 1. Set up a separate quarantine tank, such as a 7-gallon rimless glass tank. 2. Use a reliable filter (e.g., AC 50 HOB filter) and add a small bag of carbon for water quality. 3. Maintain appropriate environmental conditions including adequate water flow and temperature. 4. Observe and treat the new arrivals in this tank for 4 to 5 weeks, monitoring for any pests or diseases before introducing them to your main BioCube.
How do I program the lighting schedule for my AI Vega LEDs?
To program your AI Vega LEDs, follow this setup: - **Sunrise**: Set lights to simulate a 20K bulb, starting with deep blues at 7:10 AM, ramping up to 50% over 4 hours. - **Daylight**: Royal blues and blues come on at 8:30 AM, ramping to 48% over 160 minutes. Greens and reds peak at 9:50 AM and hold until sunset. - **Sunset**: Deep blues ramp down to 8% over 3 hours starting at 6:30 PM. - **Moon Cycle**: Set moonlight settings (deep blues at 8%) to emulate lunar phases. Ensure the date and time are correct for the lunar cycle adjustments to work effectively.
What are the benefits of using a battery backup system for my tank's equipment?
A battery backup system provides crucial support during power outages, ensuring that essential equipment such as pumps and lights continue to operate. This prevents tank disturbances that could stress or harm your inhabitants. In this setup, having multiple APC battery backups (like the APC 1000XL) ensures that both the MP-10 pumps and lights have reliable power sources until normal electricity resumes.
How do I manage dosing for calcium and alkalinity?
To manage dosing for calcium and alkalinity effectively: - **Use dosing pumps**: Set up two BRS 1.1ml dosing pumps with timers for each element. - **Dosing Schedule**: Create two timers for each element—one for the morning and another for the evening. Space doses by 2 hours to avoid counteracting effects. - **Monitor levels**: Regularly test calcium and alkalinity to ensure they remain within desired parameters (Ca around 450 ppm, alkalinity level maintained). Adjust dosing amounts as needed based on testing results.