20 Gallon Nano Build

[jack123]

Hi guys, I am slowly starting a 20 gallon tall tank build. Here's a list of what I have so far, I still need a thermometer, heater, and protein skimmer: - 20 gallon Tall Tank
- 20 gallon stand
- Rio 90 Powerhead
- Aqeon 20 filter
- Not Sure what type of light but a hood light

I will be upgrading this tank as I go along. And will add a sump in a bit but for now it will be pretty basic.

 

[terrypercula]

You can get by with no skimmer. On a smaller tank doing weekly water changes you should be fine. My first tank was a standard 20 gallon. It went pretty well.

 

[jack123]

Maybe for now, but when I get a chance I would like to get one.

 

[jack123]

Update: Just got a heater and thermometer. Next will be the sand and rock.

 

[jack123]

So I just got 6 gallons of RO/Di water, 15 lbs of aragonite and a little cycle-pack(live rock,chaeto, some shells, Copepods) from my buddy(reret10) and its doing pretty good, except that 8 may have put too much salt to my tank the reading is 1.025. Is this high?

 

[HUNTER1]

Your salinity is fine. After cycling you can adjust the salt, 1.023 for fish only and up to 1.026 for fish and corals.

 

[reret10]

yeah salinty is perfect for now how is everything going? did you get my email?

 

[reret10]

how big is the aragonite? is it about the size of the stuff I gave you or smaller?

 

[jack123]

The aragonite is about 1-2 mm in diameter it is semi coarse I believe.

 

[reret10]

alright. IMO its a tiny bit small if you want to siphon the substrate but nvrmnd

 

[jack123]

Okay so this morning the water has cleared a bit, I'm a bit worried about some soapy residue on the side of the glass. I used Caribsea aragonite, it says you don't have to rinse it.

 

[jack123]

 

[jack123]

So I got some more RODI water and 6 lbs of live rock. I added the water, the rock and then some salt to get the salinity level up to 1.025. The salinity seems to be staying at 1.022, is this because the rock being added before the salt or what? Thanks.

 

[reret10]

I think its because some of the salt mix is stuck in the substarte and it settled. I would stir up the substarte a bit and next time mix it in the container.

 

[jack123]

Today I took the salt level and it was 1.024.

 

[reret10]

sounds good a bit low but fine with no corals. I have some test strips for you if you want to pick them up today anytime before 3. If you come than can you drop off the continers i sent the RO water in?

 

[jack123]

Okay so it's been about 2 weeks since I set up the tank and so far it's looking pretty sweet. My only worry is this little Aiptasia growing on a rock but I think if I got a Berghia Nudibranch in a bit it could take care of the problem. Other than that It looks pretty sweet with the new Odyesea 24" T5 I got a couple of days ago.

 

[jack123]

Yesterday I got three blue green chromis and two peppermint shrimp. The shrimp seem to have demolished the Aiptasia and the chromis are schooling together so far.