[poohbugbug]

Hi there! I'm very new to the universe of saltwater keepers... Just wanted some pro advice. I decided to convert my 29 gallon frshwater to salt. I did a lot of research on this subject but was confused b/c of the hundred ways of doing it. I understand it's a personal decision. Went to local fish store to get some advice on what to purchase. I told them I wanted fish, maybe an anemone, a cleaner shrimp, live rock, maybe low-light coral. The coral is only if I'm successful with tank for at least 1 year as I know coral is difficult. I was told I wanted a reef tank. I was also told protein skimmer optional because I plan on having lots of live rock and this does a lot of the filtering for tank. This is the list of my set-up:
1) 29 gallon tank
2) 280 emperor biowheel filter
3) 30" dual power compact coralife lighting
(I believe it's 130 watts total)
4) submersible heater
5) 20 lbs live sand
6) saltwater testing kit
7) hydrometer
8) glass top (told it reduces evaporation but it diffuses light?)

Over the course of 5 days I cleaned out my tank, added conditioned water, added salt...checked PH & salinity...& added my live sand.. so far all tests (PH, salt, heat) perfect. Before I move any further I want to make sure I'm properly equipped.

I don't really like the noise level of this new filter so I may upgrade..any suggestions on that? I welcome any suggestions/ criticism. Is all this sufficent?

[glampka]

Welcome to RB.
Couple of things:
1. Get rid of the cover. While it does cut down on evaporation it will cause heat to build up & hinder good oxygen exchange between the water & the air.
2. I hope you used RO/DI water. Conditioned water is not the same.
3. You are better off with a protein skimmer than the bio-filter. Look at a HOB type like an AquaC Remora or Bak Pak 2.
4. With the lighting you have you'll be able to keep low light corals like mushrooms & leathers. No need to wait a year to get them. They are fairly easy to keep.
5. Replace the hydrometer with a refractometer if you can afford it. Plastic hydrometers are known to be inaccurate.
You're going to hear about adding a sump - which is a good thing but definitely not needed to have a successful tank.
The most important thing is to be patient. Nothing good comes in this hobby if you hurry.

[pogodzib]

Just follow Glampka's advice and you'll do fine. If you get rid of your power filter and upgrade to a skimmer (highly recommended), make sure that you get a good skimmer. The cheap ones (Seaclones or most other box store types) are junk. Do plenty of research before choosing which one to get because they all have their good and bad points.

As for the anemone, you may be able to keep a BTA under that lighting, but I'd wait until your comfortable with keeping some other easier corals such as mushroom, polyps, softies first. Most soft corals will do good under that lighting.

[poohbugbug]

Thanks for the advice. Should I do both skimmer & bio wheel or chuck bio wheel? If I do both does that mean I can have a higher bioload?

[glampka]

Chuck the wheel. If they are not cleaned on a very regular basis they can & will cause nitrate problems.