Back into the hobby after 35 years

[Platehead]

My son and I received an established set-up from my older son about a month ago and have added some live soft coral. The set-up is a 29 gallon tank with live rock. Several types of Zoa's, xenias, 3 types of star polyps and some others types of corals. Livestock consists of 2 clowns, a 2 different gobies, a blenny, a fire shrimp, a banded shrimp, 2 pepermint shrimp, a cucumber, hermit crabs and a couple of snails.
lighting is an 30" Aquatic life T5 with white, blue and LED's. Everything seems to be doing well at this time. How many hours and what light combinations should be used?
The filter I was given is an Aquaclear 100, running a pad and filter media. I was considering upgrading to either a wet dry sump or hang on the back refugium. I found both on Ebay at reasonable prices. What are your recommendations. Also, should a protein skimmer be added.

thx

 

[Blueflu1]

IMO if your running an established system with established live rock, I would ditch any filter. unless you clean them regularly, they are detrius traps and can actually make the water quality worse. Do you have a sump of some sort to put in a skimmer or would it be a HOB skimmer? Skimmers are a good idea.

 

[ScottyD]

First Welcome to BRS!! Also welcome back to the addiction. lol

I would also say ditch the filter and add a skimmer!! You don't need a refugium but it can be a good thing to add.

 

[Prack]

Welcome back! I would add a skimmer. You can get rid of the aquaclear but what I've actually done is convert my aquaclears into fuges before. I don't do it anymore but it worked just get a clamp on light over it. Just remember you're just getting back into the hobby so anything you buy you may want to buy it rated for larger tanks because a lot of us hobbyist have a tendency to just keep going bigger. I know I do....

 

[lisa foster]

I would add a skimmer. I would not ditch the filter you could get rid of all the media in it and use it to run carbon if you wanted or make it into a little refugium. You could run the actinics(blue t5 bulbs) for a dusk to dawn I run mine 1.5 hours before day bulbs come on and 1.5 hours after lights go out. I run my day bulbs 8 hours a day.

 

[cstmpprl]

Welcome Back, I'm glad you found us.

 

[jamesdong009]

:w

You'll see that a lot of things have changed. Seems this hobby is constantly evolving.

 

[Flame Angel]

Welcome back! If your like me I bet you wish there was a forum like this around 30 years ago.

 

[Turbosnail]

Welcome to the BRS!

 

[Neya]

Welcome!
I started with a filter on my tank, but "ditched" it as it was too much maintenance. I save it aside to run carbon/gfo if I need to though.