20 long build

[petere1989]

You're going to need 4 bulbs for sps. How high are those lights from the top of the water? They look to high up.

What are your plans for keeping parameters stable if you're keeping sps?

I was wondering about the height. They are 8 inches above the water level. Think I should lower it? and to what height if so?

As for water I plan on doing water changes like, every two weeks and I have been dosing my 10 gallon with a 2part buffer system, I was going to use that for this tank as well.

I am going to start with a few LPS coral, then get mainly SPS after I know the LPS are doing ok.

Also, i did order the second light fixture, so that will be coming.

 

[Veganbrian]

well, its cool that your shelf is adjustable that the lighting is on. I would go 6" and try it. If the corals look like they're not getting enough light then lower or vise versa.

2 part will work but but make sure your testing and preventing any detrimental swings. Make sure to watch your Magnesium as well.

 

[petere1989]

well, its cool that your shelf is adjustable that the lighting is on. I would go 6" and try it. If the corals look like they're not getting enough light then lower or vise versa.

2 part will work but but make sure your testing and preventing any detrimental swings. Make sure to watch your Magnesium as well.

Ya I'll have to find a mag. test somewhere. local store doesn't have one. Any ideas?

And ok, i will lower my lights a few inches then. I did order the other fixture so it should be here next week sometime for the other two bulbs.

I also have an update to do. I got a few things from UPS today. Pretty exciting day.
Vortech MP10 ES

Everything layed out

Mounted

I knew this was a good choice when I turned the speed control up and down. I am happy with the MP10, more then ever expected!

I've got it running on Lagoon mode right now on somewhat low speed. Does anybody know how fast it should be ran for the 20 gallon long?

also here is the skimmer I got.

Mounted and working. Still have to watch it to get it tuned in. I have one on my 10 gallon and I love it.

Overview shot.

Here are the blue damsels I got. The LFS said it would be ok to get some to help the cycling process along.

This isnt a very good picture. I have two blue and one black and white striped one.

 

[petere1989]

I am also thinking of ways to eliminate seeing the light fixture. It kinda blinds you too. lol. So I am going to, i think, put somthing up like this.

Thats just a towel at the moment.

 

[Soccernut]

Looking real nice, reminds me of my 20 long. Have had mine for a little over a year now. Hope the best for your tank.

 

[tommer725]

Nice going so far. I see you are in Illinois. What area?

 

[EWC88]

Great build so far! Are you thinking on putting a curtain shade to cover the light or wood? Sucks about what you had to go through with the lighting order, make sure they didn't charge you for the bigger light kit when you got the smaller!

 

[petere1989]

Nice going so far. I see you are in Illinois. What area?

I'm in Peoria.

As for plans to cover the lighting, I did some work about that today actually.

What I am going to do is put wood around the tank so it looks like a built in unit. My dad and I cut the wood and its in pieces in my garage at the moment. I'm waiting for the second light fixture to come in to really do much with it but yea. I'm going to paint it the same color as the cabinet it's in. The piece on top will be on hinges and flip up to allow access to the tank. The lights are just to bright NOT to cover up, and I only have two hooked up. The plan is 4 lights.


Also the tank is now cycling. Here are a few pictures.

You can see the diatoms on the rock now.

You can kinda see the brown in the sand on this one. Along with the damsel I got.

I also checked my water parameters yesterday.

Nitrate-0
Nitrite-0
Ammonia-0
ph-8.2

Didn't check alk. and calcium since I'm waiting for tank to cycle anyways. Figured it didn't matter.

So the parameters look good right now. I guess I'll just have to wait till the diatoms die off. Any way to speed up that process?? I'm crossing my fingers that the outbreak won't be as bad as the first time I set up a tank. (i used tap water)

 

[petere1989]

little update: tank is cycling nice. So far (knock on wood) the cycle hasn't been to bad. You can see just a light dusting on the top of the sand. My water parameters are staying perfect too.
-My second light fixture is set to come in tomorrow. UPS says its on time so I will post pictures of that when I get it.
-I ordered some clean up crews to help with the algae for this tank and my 10 gallon tank.

I ended up ordering from reefs2go.com. very good site and very reasonable price too. I would highly recommend it. I ordered: (These are all buy one get one free right now!)

2 red leg crabs, 2 turbo snails, and 4 bumble bee snails.

 

[petere1989]

also I've been working on the surround that goes around the tank thats going to make it look like a built in unit.

 

[Forrest3320]

Looks great I bought the same skimmer for my 10 gallon and 29 biocube have not hooked them up yet but i am glad that they work great for you i always hear mixed review but you know some people in this hobby have more money then they know what to do with

 

[CrazyZoa]

The LFS sold you 2 Yellow tail Blue Damsels for the same tank?!?!

 

[iced98lx]

I hope you want to keep those fish, cause, good luck gettin those little %*#*%#rs out of there.

Looking nice though, just take'er slow and easy and you'll be good to go in no time.

 

[petere1989]

haha yea I was planning on keeping them. I actually watched the lady at the store chase them around for seriously 10 minutes trying to catch them. Especially the 4 stripe damsel. I like the damsels and for the size of the tank their fine, plus I was really going for mainly coral anyways. the fish were on sale 3 for $10.

I did get my second lighting fixture in today.

Mounted up on the shelf

I'm waiting now on the crabs and snails I bought, and I also got some Long Hair Green Eyed Girl Zoanthids to put in my 10 gallon until the 20 is ready for coral.

I'm not sure how long to wait to start stocking it. All the water parameters are great and skimmer is broken in. I'm having to empty it every other day so far.

 

[petere1989]

The LFS sold you 2 Yellow tail Blue Damsels for the same tank?!?!

As for this comment, was that a bad decision??

 

[Giovanni]

Nice start!

 

[petere1989]

So after painting the side trim I decided to test fit it in place. I'll have to take better pictures during the day.

Here is the space without the trim piece

Little wider shot

and full view

I've got another piece of wood that will cover the top and will be attached with hinges that will swing upward to allow access into the tank.

and for those of you who are looking for how good nano skimmers are, this is mine in the new tank. it got this much in a half hour.

 

[iced98lx]

As for this comment, was that a bad decision??

They will be an absolute TERROR in the tank. Generally, in a tank that size, anything you add will be harassed none stop by those fish, so hopefully you were looking at just coral (which is what it sounds like) on top of the damsels you have. They are VERY pretty and active fish, so if that's what you want in there no problems at all, but if you wanted to add other fish, it could get interesting. :hammer::hammer:

It's looking good, can't wait to see you fill it up with coral!

 

[petere1989]

They will be an absolute TERROR in the tank. Generally, in a tank that size, anything you add will be harassed none stop by those fish, so hopefully you were looking at just coral (which is what it sounds like) on top of the damsels you have. They are VERY pretty and active fish, so if that's what you want in there no problems at all, but if you wanted to add other fish, it could get interesting. :hammer::hammer:

It's looking good, can't wait to see you fill it up with coral!

I see. I wasn't going to add any more fish. I was going to put in a few snails and a sea urchin eventually tho. we'll see what happens!

and thanks for the comments. Cant wait to get some coral in there. I'm trying to figure out what I want and placement right now because I don't want want to be moving these all the time like i've done in the past.

All water parameters are good still. I don't really know how long to wait before stocking it. Its got diatoms still but just a light dusting of it.


also here is a better picture of the side trim before the lights turned on this morning.

You kinda can get the idea. The side pieces will be there and then another board will go above on hinges.

 

[petere1989]

here ya go. the top board in place. It isn't anchored in yet, but thats how it'll look.