My new 20gal reef set up.

[BayStYat]

I am new to salt but not new to fresh. I am currently building a non sump non protien skimmer 20gal reef.

My fresh is a 75 all native tank to the Mississippi Bayous. Everything in my tank comes from Rotten Bayou and Bayou Laterre

My reef build will consist of

20L
Acuaclear 70 with intank media basket
Acuaclear 20 for surface skimming
Aqueon 150wt heater
Hydor Koralia nano 240
DIY in-tank overflow for surface skimming
Current USA Orbit Marine Led Pro
Custom hood being built
20 Lbs of dry rock from BRS
20Lbs of live sand


I am going to have a very small bio load. I will have 2 fish, some coral and many encrustations.

Please feel free to critique my set up. I am new.


My fresh

Salt setup

 

[BayStYat]

is my 240 gph wavemaker ok for a 20L?

 

[BayStYat]

What percent water change should I do weekly on a 20 long?

Thanks

 

[stingeragent]

I had a 20 long as my first reef tank. I'd say your gonna need 2 powerhead's depending. I had two of the koralia nano's and even they weren't enough. Always had film on top of the water. I think the majority of people do 10% water changes a week, and then a 20-30% a month. Now, how many actually stick to that IDK. I do really like your surface skimming idea. I've never seen a setup like that. I upgraded my 20L to a 40B w/sump. I didn't do enough research and only put in 1/2 in plumbing so the sump was more or less useless because of the terrible flow. I'm about to move the tank to a different room and go sumpless with it. I have several AC filters laying around. Might have to tinker with your setup for surface skimming.

 

[BayStYat]

I had a 20 long as my first reef tank. I'd say your gonna need 2 powerhead's depending. I had two of the koralia nano's and even they weren't enough. Always had film on top of the water. I think the majority of people do 10% water changes a week, and then a 20-30% a month. Now, how many actually stick to that IDK. I do really like your surface skimming idea. I've never seen a setup like that. I upgraded my 20L to a 40B w/sump. I didn't do enough research and only put in 1/2 in plumbing so the sump was more or less useless because of the terrible flow. I'm about to move the tank to a different room and go sumpless with it. I have several AC filters laying around. Might have to tinker with your setup for surface skimming.

Thanks for the information. I looked for black ABS pvc but in my area it is not sold anymore. I used a section of large shopvac vacuum pipe. I cut it down and drilled holes. I plugged the bottom. The section cost $8.

 

[BayStYat]

Changes a few things. Returned the AC20 and added a Cad Lights skimmer to the AC70. Fits perfect.

 

[DocHogan]

Thats a rally brilliant idea. Never would have thought of placing a skimmer there.

 

[BayStYat]

Thats a rally brilliant idea. Never would have thought of placing a skimmer there.

Thanks, stole the idea from the intranets.

Heater is out of the tank also.

 

[BayStYat]

***Update***

cabinet and hood are done
rock and water in and started cycle

 

[Waters40]

I agree....the skimmer in the HOB filter is a pretty cool idea.....a HOB sump Be curious to see how everything works once it is up and running.

 

[BayStYat]

I agree....the skimmer in the HOB filter is a pretty cool idea.....a HOB sump Be curious to see how everything works once it is up and running.

I decreased the flow for the skimmer. I called Cad Lights and discussed it with them. They recommend 5 inches of depth. I have a range up to 6 1/2 inches.

 

[BayStYat]

Surface skimming with AC70

 

[Lil_rams]

My Dad's first tank looked similar only it was a 20 high. Mods on the HOB are a cool way to do a nano tank. We don't run skimmers on our tanks and rely on 20% water changes once a month. Lighting and flow are really the key along with good live rock. In one of your pics you have the egg crate on the top of the tank. This will cut back on the par of your lighting. As the original purpose for egg crate is to defuse light in office buildings.

 

[BayStYat]

My Dad's first tank looked similar only it was a 20 high. Mods on the HOB are a cool way to do a nano tank. We don't run skimmers on our tanks and rely on 20% water changes once a month. Lighting and flow are really the key along with good live rock. In one of your pics you have the egg crate on the top of the tank. This will cut back on the par of your lighting. As the original purpose for egg crate is to defuse light in office buildings.

Thanks for the info. I was hoping to set my light on top the egg crate. I may have to come up with a new idea.

 

[stingeragent]

LOL. I love your tank. Skimmer in a HOB? Heater in a HOB? Running PVC to make a surface skimmer with a HOB? Just great IMHO. I decided to go with a canister filter. It has a surface skimmer similar to what you did only much smaller. Haven't tried it out yet.

 

[Waters40]

I agree....a lot of stuff I have never thought of....some cool ideas. Just an thought, I would paint the PVC black (or purchase black) to blend in with the background.

 

[BayStYat]

I agree....a lot of stuff I have never thought of....some cool ideas. Just an thought, I would paint the PVC black (or purchase black) to blend in with the background.

knocked the paint out this evening

 

[BayStYat]

Ok so after 17 days this is my test results

Nitrate - 0.2

Nitrite- 0

Ammonia- 0.25

I ghost fed 2 times. On day 13 and day 16

Set the light up for the first time today.

All criticism is welcomed

 

[BayStYat]

New test results



day 22



Nitrate - 1



Nitrite- 0



Ammonia- less than <0.25



PH - 8





Nitrate went up to 1 from 0.25



My ammonia test kit shows <0.25 So I dont have an accurate number since it starts at 0.25



please advise

 

[stingeragent]

Man im not sure. What the ammonia at to start? I think your nitrates should be higher but you do have the skimmer so im not sure. If you wanna be certain, buy pure ammonia and dose to 2ppm. If its 0 in 24 hrs you should be good. I know on my 2 tanks i had a massive diatom bloom after the cycle.