So I got a BC 29 about 2 weeks ago after debating between the jbj tank and it. I liked the fact that I could turn the 2nd chamber into a fuge, and its overall set-up. Anyway the tank have been up and runnign with 20lbs of LS and about 25lbs of LR(which was from an established tank and in a rubbermaid with powerhead for about 3 weeks). I have yet to see any any readable spike in levels. I have begun to get a nice covering of hair alaege. I have 4 small hermits and a a nice little zoa I got from the guy that had the LR. Would it be safe to put my CUC in next week?? Also one of my rock have this translucent white blob growing on it does anyone know what it is??
Hi magaman! Congratulations on your new tank. That is a sponge you have growing there and it is a good guy. I too started my tank with "used" LR and LS and never saw a spike. I added my first hermits at about 3 weeks and gradually added snails and some chromis over the next couple of weeks.
Despite online retailers selling CUC packages by the size of aquarium the mix is dependent on your eventual stocking plan and personal preference. That statement begs the question, what is your stocking plan and what other CUC members are you considering? I would not add the entire eventual crew since you don't really need them until you have the tank more stocked. I think I would add some herbivorous snails next. Shrimp are often sold as part of a CUC but in my experience they are delicate and don't belong in a newly established tank.
Also as far as a CUC goes I was going to buy from reefcleaners and get this:
10 Nassarius Vibex
10 Nerite Snails (Small - Medium)
10 Dwarf Cerith
4 Blue Legged Hermits (will bring my hermit total to 8)
and also a thing of cheato for chamber 2
I just wanted to chime in here and congratulate you on joining the reefing addiction and on finding this forum. You did a great job with the aquascaping, I really like how this is looking so far. I second Carmie's opinion to slowly add your CUC now, not all at once since their might not be enough for them to eat. If your ordering your package online and want to get it all at once, figure on adding some squid and nori sheets under a rock for them to eat. I setup my tank with established LR also and never saw a spike, just be sure that you go SLOW and ask plenty of questions on here.
I just wanted to chime in here and congratulate you on joining the reefing addiction and on finding this forum. You did a great job with the aquascaping, I really like how this is looking so far. I second Carmie's opinion to slowly add your CUC now, not all at once since their might not be enough for them to eat. If your ordering your package online and want to get it all at once, figure on adding some squid and nori sheets under a rock for them to eat. I setup my tank with established LR also and never saw a spike, just be sure that you go SLOW and ask plenty of questions on here.
Thanks, yeah I've been throwing the hermits a little silver side every 4-5 days, they just love it. My plan was add the CUC next week and and I wouldn't even think of fish untill lat July or later.
so I was watching my hermits cleaning the tank this evening as they normally do, and I see a claw coming out from a hole in one of my rocks, I thought it was one of them out of its shell, but all 4 were in shells around the tank. After a bit more watching, it looks like I might have had a very small Emerald Crab as a hitchhiker. I'm waiting for the lights to go out to see if he comes out anymore.
Alright heres a bit of an update I was away for a long weekend. Had a nice alaege bloom while away, the tank is pretty much green. Monday went and picked up a few snails got a 5 Nassarius and 3 pyramid snails. Lost one hermit crab, but levels are still all good maybe one of the others took him out?? However I did do a water change.
No as far as mystery claw goes, it is a very small emerald crab. We threw a few small chunks of shrimp in and the guy came running out of his hole, and watching those snails resurface from the sandbed is one of the craziest things ever.
Also as far as a CUC goes I was going to buy from reefcleaners and get this:
10 Nassarius Vibex
10 Nerite Snails (Small - Medium)
10 Dwarf Cerith
4 Blue Legged Hermits (will bring my hermit total to 8)
and also a thing of cheato for chamber 2
10 Nassarius may be too much for a 29g, but reefcleaners Nasses look smaller than most. You may consider getting some of those Dwarf Planaxis snails while your ordering. Reefcleaners make it sound as if they help to clean the are under your LR, which is usually where the dead spots are.
What are you going to light the middle chamber with?
I make my own water I got that AP tap filter, works well since our water isn't all that bad.
Actually I'm probably not even gonna deal with reefcleaners, my LFS has good enough prices on snails and crabs. My plan is to slowly add more, as the cleaning is needed.
As far as a light goes I found a small pond light online which I will be purchasing.
I make my own water I got that AP tap filter, works well since our water isn't all that bad.
Actually I'm probably not even gonna deal with reefcleaners, my LFS has good enough prices on snails and crabs. My plan is to slowly add more, as the cleaning is needed.
As far as a light goes I found a small pond light online which I will be purchasing.
oops. I forgot that the BC29 came with a skimmer. My bad...
FWIW, I would recommend getting a handheld TDS meter to see how well your AP filter is doing. All the top off water that evaporates from your aquarium will concentrate any dissolved solids (including Algae inducing Phosphates and Nitrates) in the long run. My 5 stage RODI systems produce a TDS value of 0-2ppm from my (260ppm TDS) tap water. If your AP filter produces a TDS of 10-15ppm (or more), than think about how much faster those impurities will concentrate. Something to consider.
---
If your LFS has Trochus snails, I would get those before Astraea. Astraea snails are good in the sense that they largely stay on your rocks and glass, but if they fall over - they cannot right themselves. Since you have hermits in your tank that may pick on/prey on defenseless snails, you should see if you can get Trochus snails instead.
icon under their name to add to their reputation. 
