Questions about the setup of my 29g

[AustinReefClub]

I think I decided on the Current USA 30"Sundial T5 High Output Lighting 4X24 WATT , and will purchase it in the next few weeks.

I purchased 15 lbs of LR and sand last weekend, bought a new heater (old one ignored its t-stat and just got hotter and hotter), painted the back of the aquarium, bought a Tunze powerhead, and am now letting the tank cycle. I've kept the Emperor 400 on the back of the tank for extra flow, and plan to use it as a fuge for chaetomorpha as hobogato recommended. I plan to add about 10 more lbs LR this weekend after i get paid, but I'm looking ahead to what will go in the tank (primarily corals, some reefsafe fish, and eventually an anemone and maybe a clam).

So, my questions are:


When I add the add'l LR, does the tank have to cycle again?
What life would you add first? I'm thinking a cleanup crew of hermits and snails.
Is there a good way to hide powerhead cables in the tank?
Any recommendations on a battery backup to keep the powerheads running in an outage?

[hobogato]

you will probably see a small ammonia and nitrite spike when you add the new live rock. as far as a battery backup, i use a ups made for a computer.

[Mr Cob]

Cleanup crew would be the best choice for first additions. Wait until the cycle comes down the hill though.

A safer way to add live rock to a system that has already gone through a cycle is to let it cure first. Throw it in a 5 gallon bucket for two months with a powerhead and saltwater, when the smell is gone it's ready to add.

[NeptunesGhost]

Is the new live rock already cured? If so, the spike should be very minimal.

[Mr Cob]

If the live rock stinks it is not cured, if it does not really smell it's probably cured.

Also, if you are getting it from a LFS it's probably not cured. If it's from a fellow reefer it's probably cured but may have die off depending on how long you have it out of the water.

It's good practice to throw it in a bucket with some saltwater for at least a couple of days...this way you can inspect it and make sure you don't have any unwanted pests headed to your display. This will also give you time to determine if it's cured or not. 10 pounds of live rock will make a significance in a 29gallon system.

In a 100 gallon system you'd never notice it...but a 29gallon you need to to be careful and monitor your prameters closely.

[AustinReefClub]

I bough the LR from Aquatek for $9/lb. No real smell from it, but I also haven't seen any real life on it other than a bristle worm that quickly went back to hiding. I'm thinking I'll just go ahead and add the additional LR to the aquarium since it is still cycling. Obviously I would like it to be cured, but haven't seen any like that at Aquatek or Aquadome.
Any recommendations on what type of LR to add, and best store(s) in Austin to get it from?

[Bill S]

As noted above, unless you get it from a fellow reefer, I'd assume that the rock at your LFS is uncured. It's just safer that way.

Also noted above, hitchhikers are not always good - I like the bucket suggestion.

Just take your time. Bad, bad things happen in this hobby when you rush things.

[ReeferMadness512]

Hey man you should check out Austin Reef Club, if you have not already, just google it. Check out there sponsor pages, you will find some good places to look.