I'm starting up a new 20L reef; what would you do?

[wav3form]

I have a 10 gal currently on my desk but I need the space and since I have a 20L in the basement, I decided to transfer my rock and sand into it. I have no fish, no corals yet. I have a 70 watt MH pendant, a Aquaclea 110 fuge and that's it. I do have some blue leg hermits and some cerith snails and the rock is very nice but I just haven't had the time to get fish yet.

Anyway, I have no idea if I want to drill the tank, set up a sump, supplement the lighting, etc. I'm buying a new stand and canopy for the 20L this week and will retro my MH bulb but after that, I'm not sure what I want. If you were in my position, what would you do?

 

[gfk]

id drill it and get a sump... but if youre using that long of a tank, buy a 29 gallon and use the 20 gallon as a sump, i love my 29 i just setup

 

[Mark426]

I am thinking about a 20L myself. My plan is to drill it, use a sump and T-5's. A canopy and MH will guarantee heat problems in smaller tanks (unless you have a chiller). With T-5's you have so many lamp options.

 

[r00onmac]

i have a 20 L setup cycling now...

the sump will be a 29 once i find a used one for a decent price...

i didnt drill it, i just got a HOB overflow for like 20 bucks from a fellow reefer all in all its looking pretty good... ill probably have like 25 lbs of LR in the main display and the other 35 dumped into chambers of the sump/fuge...

 

[wav3form]

The reason I don't want a 29 is it may be a little too high for my lighting. I'd rather have a shallower setup. I may hold off on the canopy and stick with the pendant. I may still drill it since it looks cleaner but a HOB overflow would work too.

 

[redemerald]

i have a 20 with much success. i have an emperor 400 side mount and two lights nothing fancy but it works a 10,000 k and an actinic. about 12 pounds of live rock, colt coral, some radom polyps, mushrooms, a trumpet coral, two blue hermits, a red green emerald, 4 damsels , and a feather duster. but i do weekly water changes but nothing two harsh. oh and a heater. but dont have to make a some, plus most place wont cut tampered glass so it would be easier with a big side filter or canister.

 

[gfk]

AGA tanks under 37 gallons are not tempored... i called and asked. the new 29's are not tempored, but as always look for a sticker on the bottom.

I am 100% happy with my drilled tank, i feel safer then having a hob overflow as well