BC29 shopping list

[Flying_Hellfish]

A little background... I started a 55g FOWLR about a year ago and it is fantastic but I have been talking about dabbling in some corals (zoas, maybe some lps,.....typical BC fare) and have been shopping around for a BC for a month or so now. Needless to say with xmas coming I think that my girlfriend and parents have conspired to get me a BC29 w/ stand due to some clues she has been dropping in the last week.

 

I do have a RO/DI unit and I just tested TDS yesterday and I'm still pumping out 0. So I'm good there.

 

I've decided to start a shopping list and bounce some ideas off everyone to see what you think. Here is what I have so far:

 

100w heater (Jager)

Hydor nano or 750

Vortech mp10es

InTank Media Basket and Fish Saver (still debating on the fuge basket)

Filter Floss

Purigen

Chemi-Pure elite

MagFloat (size tbd)

Hydor Flo (optional)

A couple more buckets for water changes

Hydor Pico 1200

 

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do about rock. I will likely use mostly dry rock and maybe swap a piece or two of dry into my FOWLR for some LR. I might even buy some new LR locally just to try and avoid unwanted pests since the LR I bought for my 55 ended up having some aptaisia on it although with a pep shrimp, aptaisia x and some luck I killed the 4-5 that I had and haven't seen one in over 10 months.

 

I still have about a half a bag of sand that I will likely use along with a scoop from my 55.

 

I might even buy a RKL since I like the one on my FOWLR so much but I'm not 100% sure on that one yet. Probably depends on what kind of coin I drop on rock.

 

I plan to do the typical mods everyone does.... remove the false floor in chamber 1 and drop the heater in there. Temp probe will go in Chamber 3 if I end up spending the extra $ on the RKL. I will be removing the tab between C1 and C2.

 

I know this is a wall of text but if I have learned one thing with my 55 it is that planning and patience go a long long way in this hobby. Anyway, what does everyone think?

[jestep]

I would probably go with a 200w heater. 100 is on the low end for the tank size and the extra cost is negligible. Otherwise, looks like the making of a good setup.

[Flying_Hellfish]

I would probably go with a 200w heater. 100 is on the low end for the tank size and the extra cost is negligible. Otherwise, looks like the making of a good setup.

 

Really? I thought 100 was overkill. I have a 150 in my 55g FOWLR that keeps it at 78 with no problems.

[1fishmonger]

Really? I thought 100 was overkill. I have a 150 in my 55g FOWLR that keeps it at 78 with no problems.

 

 

Wouldn't consider it over or under - A 100w will get the job done. I'd go with 150. 200 is probably more than necessary. As for your 55 - I'd go with 2 heaters instead of just one. 2x100w or 2x150w

[jestep]

I usually go for 5 wpg and then chose the closest size above. If your room temp never drops below about 5 degrees blow what you want your tank needs to be at, 100 should be fine. I like to err on the overkill side for heating or cooling.

 

Also, you will probably want an ATO. Not sure which lighting on the tank you are getting, but I top off 1 gallon per day on a 28 HQI. The RKL has a top off unit if you go that route again.

[Flying_Hellfish]

I usually go for 5 wpg and then chose the closest size above. If your room temp never drops below about 5 degrees blow what you want your tank needs to be at, 100 should be fine. I like to err on the overkill side for heating or cooling.

 

Also, you will probably want an ATO. Not sure which lighting on the tank you are getting, but I top off 1 gallon per day on a 28 HQI. The RKL has a top off unit if you go that route again.

 

Room temp by my 55 is 67-70 right now but I'm unsure if I will be putting the BC downstairs (near the 55) or upstairs at this point. I will probably go up the size if I put it on the RKL.

 

I've debated the ATO in my head.... it will likely be the PC version so evap shouldn't be as much as HQI thank god.

[ss21]

Don't get the nano magfloat and upgrade to the magfloat 125. I have that on my bc29 and have been happy cleaning with it. Nano is for a pico aqua.

 

Also scrap the hydor flo if you have the vortech. Which that is all you need for flo. UNLESS you have crazy amount of rock and maze of tunnels.

[StevieT]

InTank Media Basket and Fish Saver (still debating on the fuge basket)

 

I like this list

[Flying_Hellfish]

Don't get the nano magfloat and upgrade to the magfloat 125. I have that on my bc29 and have been happy cleaning with it. Nano is for a pico aqua.

 

Also scrap the hydor flo if you have the vortech. Which that is all you need for flo. UNLESS you have crazy amount of rock and maze of tunnels.

 

Done and done, list updated. I wasn't sure I need the flo so I will likely just point the "duckbill" toward the surface and the put the mp10 on the opposite side of the tank (right, not front)

 

 

I like this list

 

For some reason I thought you would.

[msujeff]

The Magfloat 30 is a great size for the BC29, the 125 looks like it would be way too big.

 

I went with the Tunze 9002 with the inTank cup the instead of the fuge. I guess either way is pretty good but I found that some complain about the cheato getting sucked over to chamber 3.

 

mp10 on the left or right side, all depends on your scape and how you want it to look.

 

Good luck, I finally got my BC29 going a couple of days ago.

[rO.oster]

Id recommend a Hydor Pico Evolution 1200 to replace stock pump, very quiet and low wattage will help you in the summer for heat issues.

 

I have a 150w heater and its kickin fine

 

The fuge basket will allow you to rotate/extract your chateo ball without getting your hands wet.

 

The new versions of BC29 come with a fish saver already installed, it was a design omprovmenet. I'd wait until you get it to see if you need 1.

 

GL!

[Flying_Hellfish]

The Magfloat 30 is a great size for the BC29, the 125 looks like it would be way too big.

 

I went with the Tunze 9002 with the inTank cup the instead of the fuge. I guess either way is pretty good but I found that some complain about the cheato getting sucked over to chamber 3.

 

mp10 on the left or right side, all depends on your scape and how you want it to look.

 

Good luck, I finally got my BC29 going a couple of days ago.

 

I will probably pop over to one of the pet stores to see them in person. I still have a few weeks before I will even see the tank so I probably am looking at not even having SW in it until the first of the year.

 

I was thinking about the cheato issue.... especially since I was planning on removing the sponge between C2 and C3. I have another small list I didn't put here that is a optional wish list that has the tunze on it as well as the upgraded cup. I'm just trying to decide the route I want to go.

 

 

Id recommend a Hydor Pico Evolution 1200 to replace stock pump, very quiet and low wattage will help you in the summer for heat issues.

 

I have a 150w heater and its kickin fine

 

The fuge basket will allow you to rotate/extract your chateo ball without getting your hands wet.

 

The new versions of BC29 come with a fish saver already installed, it was a design omprovmenet. I'd wait until you get it to see if you need 1.

 

GL!

 

I actually have a pico sitting at home but I think it is only the 800. I've seen a lot of people suggest the 6hf as a replacement or even a maxi1200.

 

Interesting, I will have to take a look at the new design then.

 

 

What are people using for underwater fuge lights these days? I think I have a link somewhere to an underwater pond light. I would prefer not to have something hanging off the back to light the fuge if I go that route.

[rO.oster]

i have read multiple times the 6HF is noisy, and the Maxi1200 runs hot wattage wise. Both are recommended as a replacememnt, but the 1200 (or even the 800) is great IMO.

 

You'll find that in summer these AIO's get quite hot, I'd aviod having a submersible light as this will only add heat. Hence the MP10 and the external portion of the pump, dissapates heat into the air rather than into your water.

[pumarjr]

If you get the new bc29, you will not be able to run the tunze 9002 skimmer due to the hang on light.

[StevieT]

If you get the HQI Version of the bc29, you will not be able to run the tunze 9002 skimmer due to the hang on light.

[Flying_Hellfish]

i have read multiple times the 6HF is noisy, and the Maxi1200 runs hot wattage wise. Both are recommended as a replacememnt, but the 1200 (or even the 800) is great IMO.

 

You'll find that in summer these AIO's get quite hot, I'd aviod having a submersible light as this will only add heat. Hence the MP10 and the external portion of the pump, dissapates heat into the air rather than into your water.

 

The GPH on the 800 isn't that great....less than stock if I remember w/o looking. For the $20 I will probably add the 1200 to the list. Does this also require removing the stock tubing?

 

That is why I'm already scouting out a place on the main level for it as upstairs is considerably warmer in the summer months.

 

From what I've been reading the newer BCs have a cut out in the back already for a fuge light... is that correct? I might just have to make a DIY gang box light after all.

 

 

 

I highly doubt they will be springing for the HQI so I should be good. If I decide to go with the 9002

[pumarjr]

Thanks for that.

[rO.oster]

The GPH on the 800 isn't that great....less than stock if I remember w/o looking. For the $20 I will probably add the 1200 to the list. Does this also require removing the stock tubing?

 

That is why I'm already scouting out a place on the main level for it as upstairs is considerably warmer in the summer months.

 

From what I've been reading the newer BCs have a cut out in the back already for a fuge light... is that correct? I might just have to make a DIY gang box light after all.

 

 

 

I highly doubt they will be springing for the HQI so I should be good. If I decide to go with the 9002

 

the cut out is already there, but in the wrong place!!! its low, and kind of centered, not where youd want it if you have a fuge basket in there. I ended up haveing to rescrape a much larger section that would fully illuminate chamber 2 ( cut chamber 2 in half, the side bordering chamber 3) and did a 4 junction gang box DIY. works AWESOME, and i have to trim my chaeto every week.

 

I just again read someone saying the rio6H is loud, and the 20+ watts on teh maxi just doesnt appeal to me. glad you are researching and getting the products right, it will save you major hassle later. Goodluck, great start!

 

also, all "extra flow" will be done by the mp10. you just need a nice, quiet, reliable, low heat pump to perform in the fuge, and cycle your water through the media.

 

filter circulation vs display circulation. people usually get powerful pumps back there b.c they have no MP10, or put a flor deflector or some sort of limiter on it to disperse flow. your MP10 has got your back.

[msujeff]

+1 the fuge cut out is too close to chamber one and you'll have to scrape some paint to make it work.

 

The rio was too loud for me so I went with the maxi-jet 1200. You'll have to replace the tubing if you switch the stock pump. I kept the 90 elbow and just cut a piece of 1/2 inside diameter tubing to make the maxi fit.

[augustus007]

Really? I thought 100 was overkill. I have a 150 in my 55g FOWLR that keeps it at 78 with no problems.

IMO,100 is managable, unless you have a dramatic drop in temp. in your house. my 14 bio is by my fire place . The average temp in house is 70 to 72 degrees during summer and winter. I'm doing fine with a 50 watt.

[Flying_Hellfish]

Of course it is in the wrong place, how could it not be. lol Nothing is ever that easy. I have seen a lot of talk about the 6hf some say it is loud, some say no. But wattage is always a concern so I will go with the pico 1200 probably.

 

Yeah, I didn't even think about the difference really since I never ran a fuge before. My fowlr has no need for such things.

 

Some people seem to keep the elbow and some remove it. I guess I will decide when I see it in person or depending on the tubing I get to fit. ha ha

 

The real debate will be on livestock... I'm thinking a couple blue tangs and a yellow would look nice.

[jestep]

The real debate will be on livestock... I'm thinking a couple blue tangs and a yellow would look nice.

 

A couple triggers and an eel would be good tankmates as well. Or maybe an idol...

[geezers11]

A couple triggers and an eel would be good tankmates as well. Or maybe an idol...

 

Am looking at either a JBJ 28 LED or BC29. Been reading about these mp10 flow pumps. Supposedly they are quiet? Was at the local LFS and they have a couple that are quite loud. Said they normally get that way.

 

Any support or denial on this?

[rO.oster]

Some people seem to keep the elbow and some remove it. I guess I will decide when I see it in person or depending on the tubing I get to fit. ha ha

 

The real debate will be on livestock... I'm thinking a couple blue tangs and a yellow would look nice.

 

 

A couple triggers and an eel would be good tankmates as well. Or maybe an idol...

 

boy you guys are asking for it

 

the elbow i removed, and replaced it with a section of tube i bought from Lowes. i believe its 5/8 ID tubing. buy a 1 foot section, then cut to fit at home.

[Flying_Hellfish]

boy you guys are asking for it

 

the elbow i removed, and replaced it with a section of tube i bought from Lowes. i believe its 5/8 ID tubing. buy a 1 foot section, then cut to fit at home.

 

Ha ha, I had to say it if only to amuse myself. But my real thoughts on livestock are much more realistic. Possibly moving my 2 b/w ocell clowns from my 55 fowlr to the BC, maybe a firefish, and some typical corals for a stock BC (frogspawn, zoos, etc)

 

That's what I figured, thanks. I even think I have some 5/8 at home I was using on that pico 800 I have. I also have smaller tubing that I use for water changes on my maxi1200 because I'm too lazy to lift the buckets and pour them in.