Also think about how much you want to spend on the different components.Skimmer? Size sump? Fuge? Is the koralia 550 enough circulation? Return pump? Media?
This is my first frag tank but here's my thought. Please correct anything that's wrong. Also this is kinda a budget build haha damn expensive hobby.
10 gallon sump (because I have one laying around)
With fuge section
Super skimmer 65 (because it's cheap and works good on my 29)
Koralia 550 because I have one here
Get a fluvial sea cp1
Not sure what size return pump to use
This is a huge one. Honestly, I was just looking through some of your posts/threads/etc, and at the risk of sounding like a huge edit, I wouldn't even set this tank up yet if I were you (unless it was going to be a total replacement for one of your current tanks). One of the biggest mistakes new reefers make is to go to fast. You've been in the hobby for a relatively short period of time, are still having quite a few new reefer/new tank issues, and having three totally independent systems is a LOT of maintenance.Also think about how much you want to spend on the different components.
+1 on the research. Lot of ways to skin this cat.Skimmer? Size sump? Fuge? Is the koralia 550 enough circulation? Return pump? Media?
You said you have a 10g laying around, that's a perfect QT tank for anything that will fit in your 27g or 29g anyway. If you really really really really thought about the questions I asked and decided, "I need a frag tank", then this is good info:Trust me I wouldn't have bought this tank. The wife got it for me today. I haven't even re setup the 27 cube. The 29 is about to get flatworm exit and the aiptasia is almost taken care of. Everything is getting dipped after the 27 cycles and swapped over. I don't take offense to anyone's suggestions and opinions. But in order for me to do the hobby the right way I need the tanks. As of now I have no quarantine which is what the 30 will probably start out as until I completely stock my tanks. Everything will be dipped from here on out so I avoid these issues as much as possible.
+1 on the research. Lot of ways to skin this cat.
At first glance:
Skimmer: SCA 301 or 302 if your sump is large,
Sump: the biggest you can fit in the stand. Maximize water volume
Fuge: yes should be part of the sump, maybe use a 40b and build Fuge/ sump
Circulation: what Ted said
Return: DC 3000
Media: run k1 or hel-x media
If you plan to QT with copper in the 30 don't plan on using it for coral and inverts. You will most likely have issues with stuff dying from the copper left behind. After you swap everything over from the 29 to the 27 use the 29 as your QT. IMO once a QT tank always a QT tank.Trust me I wouldn't have bought this tank. The wife got it for me today. I haven't even re setup the 27 cube. The 29 is about to get flatworm exit and the aiptasia is almost taken care of. Everything is getting dipped after the 27 cycles and swapped over. I don't take offense to anyone's suggestions and opinions. But in order for me to do the hobby the right way I need the tanks. As of now I have no quarantine which is what the 30 will probably start out as until I completely stock my tanks. Everything will be dipped from here on out so I avoid these issues as much as possible.
When you dip coral does it kill off inverts such as mini bristle starfishIf you plan to QT with copper in the 30 don't plan on using it for coral and inverts. You will most likely have issues with stuff dying from the copper left behind. After you swap everything over from the 29 to the 27 use the 29 as your QT. IMO once a QT tank always a QT tank.