Doing a 20L on the cheap

[beatle]

I've done freshwater before and I've read for weeks and asked my SW friends about setups, etc. but I'm always looking for a more efficient (read, cheap) way to do things that still gets the job done properly.

My goal is for a FOWLR tank, possibly with a few inverts (featherduster, torch, maybe a bubbletip anemone, etc.) I'm flexible, so I'm willing to hear if stuff won't work out with my ideas.

Lighting would be courtesy of an Aqualight 2x18w fixture. I've talked to people about making a refugium out of an AC110. This would also eliminate my need for additional circulation, no? I also have a 7w PC lamp leftover from an Azoo cube. This could clip to the side of the refugium. Would this be adequate for lighting? As for what to put in the fuge, I have no idea. I've read about putting in a deep sand bed, LR rubble, and/or macro algae, but I'm not sure what I exactly need to buy for it. Chaeto?

LR and sand... I talked with some people about not even needing sand, much less live sand. Would crushed coral do the trick? I have a bunch of it left over from my cichlid tank. I'd also planned to pick up 5 lbs or so of premium live rock from oceanproaquatics.com and 15 lbs of base rock. Since I'm not in a hurry, I can afford to wait a month or more for the live rock to propogate the base rock. How long do you expect I'd be waiting?

Tapwater + Prime + Salt to fill the tank. I would not age it or mix with a powerhead, just stir until dissolved. I have no idea what brand salt to buy, as they all taste the same to me. :lol: I spoke to a few people including a knowledgeable person at my LFS and they said this should be good enough as I'm not trying to raise anything that demanding. 5g water changes weekly.

 

[titan04]

You really couldn't keep many corals under that low of light.... That isn't even 2watts per gallon... at the very least it does take away the anemone....

I would also recommend that you get RO water from the fish store... doing the math it is really cheaper than Prime in the long run.... And dare I say better....

The fuge sounds interesting and may work quite well with Chaeto... extra circulation is all about what you want to keep... but to start off I would aim for the very least 10-15x turnover even with LR only and fish...

 

[beatle]

I hadn't even investigated the cost of RO water at my LFS, thinking it was for the rich and lazy. I doubt that RO water would cost less than a penny for 5 gallons, which is what it costs in Prime to treat 5g.

An AC110 is rated for 500gph which is 25x my water volume. Granted that no filter flows its rated amount, but I think it would clear 15x with no problem.

As for lights, I could take my 1x55w Bright Kit retrofit from AH Supply that I currently have over my 37g planted FW tank, but that's really robbing Peter to pay Paul, and it would leave the corners of the tank even darker than they are now because of the shallow tank depth. I'd jump for the 2x65w PC setup from Aquatraders, but it's currently not in stock. How does the 2x18w T5 setup calculate into other inverts?

How about my substrate, LR, and fuge contents?

 

[beatle]

Bump for the tightwads.

The 30" 2x65w PC kit was back in stock @ Aquatraders, so I placed my order. Lighting should not be a problem now. Any thoughts for refugium contents? Where do you pick up chaeto? Should I buy live rubble and/or sand for the fuge? What about crushed coral as my substrate? I have some play sand left over from a previous FW endeavor, though it is extremely fine grained.

 

[Pillz]

The 2 65 watt set up is a good set up for most softies and some LPS. I would still stay away from an anemone unless you know for sure your going to be able to feed it atleast 2 times a week. Most dont last anymore than 6 months under PC unless they are fed lots of food. IMO its not worth the risk of killing it since your on such a budget.

 

[beatle]

Wow, I thought 6.5 wpg would be enough to grow anything. What does it really take?

 

[titan04]

8-10Watta of good light at least...

 

[beatle]

Ok, so I should be good for a few things with my lights. Any more input for fuge contents and substrate?

 

[Nathan4Wvu]

Na you can keep any softy and most lps at 6.5 gpw. Im my 20l i had 130 watts thats like 4.5 ro somthing and i never had any problems 6.5 would be fine for just starting.

LoL i go have14 watts per gallon on my 29 thats just because im going to keep sps

Here is a pic of my 20 under to 65 watt pc

8-10 watts for clams and sps not softies and lps

 

[Nathan4Wvu]

it did have lps and other softies but i moved all of them to my big tank and i have since taken that tank down

 

[puffer21]

[welcome]
no one seemed to say that yet so there ya go.

 

[ClarkiiClown]

Re: Doing a 20L on the cheap

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7463630#post7463630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beatle

My goal is for a FOWLR tank, possibly with a few inverts (featherduster, torch, maybe a bubbletip anemone, etc.) I'm flexible, so I'm willing to hear if stuff won't work out with my ideas.

Start slow- just rock at first and substrate. Wait to add any fish and several months for any corals



Lighting would be courtesy of an Aqualight 2x18w fixture. I've talked to people about making a refugium out of an AC110. This would also eliminate my need for additional circulation, no?

I have to say I dont know what an AC110 is




I also have a 7w PC lamp leftover from an Azoo cube. This could clip to the side of the refugium. Would this be adequate for lighting? As for what to put in the fuge, I have no idea. I've read about putting in a deep sand bed, LR rubble, and/or macro algae, but I'm not sure what I exactly need to buy for it. Chaeto?

Rock rubble and Chaeto(a kind of macro algae) works well. For such a small fuge I dont think you need any sand



LR and sand... I talked with some people about not even needing sand, much less live sand. Would crushed coral do the trick?

DO NOT USE CRUSHED CORAL. That is just my opinion but CC builds up toxins really fast. I ended up having to take my 75G down take out the CC and then switch to aragonite sand. Bare bottom is another option. I personally dont like the look of a bare bottom tank.




I'd also planned to pick up 5 lbs or so of premium live rock from oceanproaquatics.com and 15 lbs of base rock.........


Curing rock in a new tank is fine since the tank will be cycling anyways. Just remember it will smell.


Tapwater + Prime + Salt to fill the tank. I would not age it or mix with a powerhead, just stir until dissolved.

Im sure some people just fainted when you said that. The problem with tap water is what is in it. Phosphates and copper and god knows what. The phosphates will give you hell with bad algaes. The "aging" has its benefits. I notice that when I mix water and test the salinity it can be say 1.020 and if I run a powehead on it the salinity will change. I dont know if anyone else has seen this but I know I have


I have no idea what brand salt to buy, as they all taste the same to me.

There are tons of choices. I run Oceanic, it dissolves fast and I havent had any issues with it. Tomato ToMAto

5g water changes weekly.

Dont start your water changes until after the tank has cycled. You will just prolong the cycle.

 

[beatle]

Alright, I'll stay away from the crushed coral. The AC110 is the new name for the AC500, BTW.