Minimum Lighting for Softies

[The Saltwater Kid]

Ok, I was given a 20g long tank and am entertaining the idea of setting it up as a Softie/polyp tank and putting in all the stuff that grows like weeds (xenia, GSP, kenya trees, toadstool, green nepthea, yellow polyps, assorted mushrooms/palythoa/zoanthids, spaghetti leather etc.). I have just about everything I would need...the tank, heater, power heads (2 Koralia Nanos) and I was thinking for substrate just using the High Desert play sand from Home Depot, use mostly dry rock with a few pieces of live rock to seed, a hang on the back Aqueon filter rated for 20g (I would mostlikely just use this to run carbon in), a DIY hang on back refugium (modded AC70) and the last thing (and most expensive) I would need would be a light fixture, I am looking at a used (barely) Current Orbit that has a 130w of PC lighting and the guy wants $100 for it OR a brand new Current Nova T5 fixture for $75 but it only has 48w of light which leads to my question...is 48w enough for a Softie/mushroom/polyp tank? If so, which fixture would be more appealing to you and why? The fish I would put in would also be cheap...maybe 3 assorted Damsels and a Lawnmower Blenny. Thanks for your input!!!

 

[29reef]

48w of t5 on a 20 is plenty of light. Tank is 12" tall? I'd even say you could keep lps, I'd rethink using play sand. Maybe no sand; less chance of extra p04, nitrates, and more room for corals to grow IMO. Or you could get dry reef sand and your LFS (pretty cheep). I'm a fan of Carib Seas special grade sand size.

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

I have contemplated going bare-bottom with this tank but not sure if I like the look. I would be filling this tank with half the water from my existing 29g reef via water changes and the other half would be fresh RO/DI water. I have heard of people using the play sand though with good luck. My main objective would be to set up this tank as cheaply as possible as we already have two other nano tanks and can't afford to do much else but it's a shame to waste a nice tank like this 20L .

 

[29reef]

I'd say maybe get the equipment ready but hold off untill you can afford a new tank...

 

[BuddhaKiss]

I agree, you could probably get away with some LPS, softies for sure

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

What's wrong with the tank???

 

[The Saltwater Kid]

bump

 

[Creade]

I used to grow softies under a shoplight!