20 Gallon Desktop

[FishyBiz]

Hello RC! :beer:
Figured Id post my tank since I haven't been on these boards for what seems like well over a decade.... This hobby has been a love of mine for a vary long time and after setting up a couple successful tanks I was bogged down with life and had to give things up for a bit. In the last 10 years or so I have been bouncing around offices and finally purchased a building last year so thought It was time to build another small office tank. This new tank is about a year old and has had its fair share of problems like leaving the lights on for 72 hours straight :hmm4: and currently working out my ALk problems. Its a pretty simple setup; 20 gallon Innovative Marine (all in one) with an ATO and Hydra 52HD lights. Currently waiting on my doser to show up so I can install.
More pics can be seen on my tanks Insta page [MENTION=320318]fishy_biz[/MENTION]

This is the link to my last office desktop build.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1648915

 

[FishyBiz]

More pics :spin3:

 

[Seaweed Brain]

Nice set up! I've been looking into getting a hydra for my 20 gallon. Why did you decide to go with the 52 and not the 26?

 

[FishyBiz]

Nice set up! I've been looking into getting a hydra for my 20 gallon. Why did you decide to go with the 52 and not the 26?

The 52 is WAY too much for this little tank but the reason I went with it was because I wanted the light to be closer to the tank so I didn't have a lot of "spillover" light on my deck. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Seaweed Brain]

That makes sense. Especially if it’s on a desk. What settings are you running it at?

 

[FishyBiz]

That makes sense. Especially if it's on a desk. What settings are you running it at?

Still playing with settings but this is how it looks at the moment.

 

[FishyBiz]

Was able to set up the he doser today. I ran the lines through the wall with the light cord.

 

[smtank]

Beautiful IM20.

 

[Jmason95]

Neal, how's the tank coming along? New pics?

 

[FishyBiz]

Neal, how's the tank coming along? New pics?

YOOOOOO! Tank is doing very well. Here are a couple super low quality pics. :hmm4: You would think the iphone 8 could do better. Come see it in person.

 

[FishyBiz]

Messy desk shot for scale.

 

[Jmason95]

There we go! Looks like things are settling in well... I picked up the same tank on Black Friday. Gonna do another SPS tank. I'm going without a skimmer - appears you did too?

 

[FishyBiz]

There we go! Looks like things are settling in well... I picked up the same tank on Black Friday. Gonna do another SPS tank. I'm going without a skimmer - appears you did too?

Correct. Have never used a skimmer. My biggest problem is keeping up with Calcium and Alk. You definitely need a doser. I also do 5 gallon water changes weekly. Just bumped up my dosing again today because my numbers were low.

 

[Jmason95]

Correct. Have never used a skimmer. My biggest problem is keeping up with Calcium and Alk. You definitely need a doser. I also do 5 gallon water changes weekly. Just bumped up my dosing again today because my numbers were low.

Yep, got a doser Black Friday style too. I'm all set to go.

I'll try and stop by soon, I'll be in touch.

 

[FishyBiz]

Yep, got a doser Black Friday style too. I'm all set to go.

I'll try and stop by soon, I'll be in touch.

You also need an ATO. These things lose water quick with the open top. I use this one and really like it.

https://www.marinedepot.com/AutoAqu...Top_Off_Units-AutoAqua-CV12118-FIDPAT-vi.html

 

[FishyBiz]

Couple updated cell pics. Finally getting my Alk in check and you can almost watch the SPS grow. LOL

 

[murphreef]

^ Looking really good nice and healthy.

How much are you dosing currently? I too always have to tweak my 2 part dosing to keep with the tanks demand. Dosers and ATO are literally the best things for these nano's

 

[nice1bruva]

lovely system

 

[cjps67]

Tank looks amazing, I sure do miss mine. In the process of working things out and setting up a smaller system in the next few weeks.

 

[scattered]

You also need an ATO. These things lose water quick with the open top. I use this one and really like it.

https://www.marinedepot.com/AutoAqu...Top_Off_Units-AutoAqua-CV12118-FIDPAT-vi.html

And that answer my question about the ATO.

Beautiful setup and great looking growth.

You guys have me really considering ditching my skimmer but I do want a heavy vert load.