[framerguy]

Originally Posted by DukeOfPrunes

Hey all,

First of all, Welcome to RS! Second get a good book and read it... twice! A good one is Robert Fenners "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist", IMO it's the best beginners book. Now to your questions:

1. When I get the tank, what is the best way to set up? Are there any "mods" that I should do right away?
If it comes with bio balls... ditch them right away. Corals don't like them, they are nitrate factories. Are you planning on having a sump?

2. Should I just go buy some live rock at my LFS, put the rock in the tank, mix up a few buckets of Instant Ocean and pour it right in? Or is there something more that needs to be done with the water?
Mix the salt and water in another container (large trashcans work well)and then put it in a bare aquarium. The rock can be added at that time. Keep the rock wet while you are working with it with a spray bottle of saltwater or keep it in a tub of water. Make sure the rock is very stable, you can drill and tiewrap the rocks together for stability. There are other ways and many threads here about it.

3. What should I use for the sand/gravel bottom and when should this be added? How much do I need?
I like a fine sand for the substrate. Get an aragonite based sand like Aragamax.
Aquarium Calculators
The calculator will help figure how much you need. Two inches is enough for aesthetics, but some fish like four inches so figure what fish you want and let us know.

4. How much live rock is needed for a 29 gallon biocube?
1.5 lbs / gallon +-, say 45-50lbs

5. Will the tank smell bad while it cycles if I use uncured rock?
YES!!!! It's probably going to smell some anyway while it cycles
6. What is the "cleanup crew" and when should it be added?
The CUC are creatures to clean up leftover food, detritus, algae, etc.
They should be added after the tank cycles (using a deli shrimp in a stocking) and there is no ammonia or nitrite present.

7. Do I need a protein skimmer? If so when must it be added?
This is a somewhat debated topic. Some people say no tank "need" a skimmer, that waterchanges can accomplish the same thing. Why work that hard? Get a protein skimmer, and a good one, (ASM, Aqua C, Euro Reef).

8. Can I expect to have an interesting tank with some corals, a couple clowns, some cleaner shrimp, maybe an arrow crab or a small anemonie without adding more lights or increasing the flitration? What restrictions will I face with the mostly "stock" setup.
The arrow crab isn't reef safe. The anemone will need a VERY ESTABLISHED tank of at least a year and they need very intense light,... so no. You can have an interesting tank with some appropriate corals for your lighting, the clowns ( they don't require an anemone), shrimp, emerald crabs, and lots of snails.
I don't know what the "stock" set up is.

I'm sure I'll have many more questions. Cheers
I hope I've helped some- Greg

DoP