Newbie tank help

[andrewq]

So I have been babysitting my brothers nano reef tank for a month now. Its been pretty easy to care for, and I have always wanted one. So im gonna give it a shot. I have plenty of experience with high tech planted tanks, and have lots of stuff.

The tank im using is going to be a 20 long reef tank, maybe a fish or two. The main focus is going to be corals. I have 2 dual T5HO fixtures, 2 eheim 2213 canister filters, heaters, and circulations pumps. I work from home so im confident i can keep up with its up keep. Ideally people say larger is better for beginners, but I dont really have space for anything over 20gallons.

So here is my question. Can I use the eheim filters? and what would i put in it for biological filtration?

Is one circulation pump ok, or would two be better? Also consider eheim canister would be setup with spray bar.

Should I use both dual light fixtures, and what bulbs? The fixtures are T5s and 30in long, same length of tank.

 

[username in use]

Canister filters really aren't a great thing on reefs. Your biological filtration is all in your rock, not in whatever filters you add on. You want to be able to change whatever filter media you have weekly. So, if you want to use the canisters, I would keep them empty and only for circulation. Otherwise, a simple hang on back with just some filter floss that you can change every week is fine, with a powerhead or two to increase flow depending on what type of corals you want to keep.

Those lights should be fine for the tank. As for bulbs, what kind of a look do you want? Do you want a more natural look or something bluer?

 

[Clownfish Chris]

Protein skimmer and macro algae in a 10 gallon sump.

 

[andrewq]

Canister filters really aren't a great thing on reefs. Your biological filtration is all in your rock, not in whatever filters you add on. You want to be able to change whatever filter media you have weekly. So, if you want to use the canisters, I would keep them empty and only for circulation. Otherwise, a simple hang on back with just some filter floss that you can change every week is fine, with a powerhead or two to increase flow depending on what type of corals you want to keep.

Those lights should be fine for the tank. As for bulbs, what kind of a look do you want? Do you want a more natural look or something bluer?

I like the blue look, so i was thinking 2 acintic blue bulbs, and 2 6500k??

 

[andrewq]

Protein skimmer and macro algae in a 10 gallon sump.

Is protein skimmer same as surface skimmer?

 

[OrQidz]

no canister filters, unless you want to clean them out VERY regularly you don't need them for biofiltration, just mechanical/chemical filtration. A good sized HOB filter with filter floss changed out regularly to remove debris is better. You can also add carbon, purigen, GFO, etc to suit your needs. Username made a good point about using canisters just for flow also. I think you will want more flow than a HOB will give you. If you don't pick up a powerhead, this isn't a bad idea.

A surface skimmer is different than a protein skimmer. The surface skimmer will break up the filmy stuff that gets on the surface of the water and improve gas exchange. This is probably familiar from planted tanks.

A protein skimmer uses a pump of various kinds to create tiny bubbles which form in a chamber. The big organic molecules are removed this way. There is debate on whether a skimmer is needed for a smaller system with a light bioload. I personally don't use one in my 29 gallon biocube but they are a good thing to have. Reqular water changes and meticulous attention to not overloading the tank with feeding, fish, etc can take the place of a protein skimmer.

I would go with 10,000K and not 6500K on the bulbs. It will look brighter and more blue. I think 10000K and actinics look great and I've used that on my tank in the past. 6500 is more of a warmer color more suited to planted tanks IMO.

 

[danielmitchell]

running two powerheads will enable a more strong and random flow pattern which is needed for some coral. check the flow requirements of the corals you want and then see if you have adequate flow. too much is never a bad thing i dont think.

 

[andrewq]

no canister filters, unless you want to clean them out VERY regularly you don't need them for biofiltration, just mechanical/chemical filtration. A good sized HOB filter with filter floss changed out regularly to remove debris is better. You can also add carbon, purigen, GFO, etc to suit your needs. Username made a good point about using canisters just for flow also. I think you will want more flow than a HOB will give you. If you don't pick up a powerhead, this isn't a bad idea.

A surface skimmer is different than a protein skimmer. The surface skimmer will break up the filmy stuff that gets on the surface of the water and improve gas exchange. This is probably familiar from planted tanks.

A protein skimmer uses a pump of various kinds to create tiny bubbles which form in a chamber. The big organic molecules are removed this way. There is debate on whether a skimmer is needed for a smaller system with a light bioload. I personally don't use one in my 29 gallon biocube but they are a good thing to have. Reqular water changes and meticulous attention to not overloading the tank with feeding, fish, etc can take the place of a protein skimmer.

I would go with 10,000K and not 6500K on the bulbs. It will look brighter and more blue. I think 10000K and actinics look great and I've used that on my tank in the past. 6500 is more of a warmer color more suited to planted tanks IMO.

I think im going to go with a aquaclear 30, and I already have 2 nano circulation pumps. Also maybe a hob protein skimmer. Its a 20 gallon long tank, so im guessing this should be enough water movement.

Are 10000k and acintic bulbs the same?

 

[andrewq]

If anyones curious this is the tank im breaking down. I just got bored with it, and wanted to jump into saltwater tanks. Enjoy the picture

 

[andrewq]

So I finally have the money to purchase what I need. Tell me if im missing anything.

20Long tank
2 hydor nano circulation pumps
aquaclear 50
10lbs of base rock
30lbs live sand
Staghorn coral natural deco( It just looks so cool, and would like nice with what im imagining.)
will add protein skimmer later if needed
no room for refugium


I have 2 dual T5HO fixtures. I think using both would make algae soup. So thinking of running only one fixture with 2 acintic blue bulbs.

So guys and gals am I missing anything?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I like the blue look, so i was thinking 2 acintic blue bulbs, and 2 6500k??

You need minimum 10K bulbs for reef's

 

[Dkuhlmann]

You need to at least double that rock. Since you have base rock which probably isn't live rock I'd get at least 10 lbs of live rock to seed the bacteria and will help the base rock cycle faster than if you do only dead rock.

 

[tkeracer619]

I would ditch the fake coral, get 15-20lbs of live rock, and 20lb of sand.

for bulbs I would go something like...

2 ati blue plus, 1 kz new generation and 1 ati purple plus or any combo that is similar.

This is a cool video
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-TbkPJhHkY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Great video tkeracer. Gives lots of food for thought.

Now I'm thinking one of each:
Coral plus
Blue plus
True Actnic
Aqua Blue

 

[runjmc2]

Yes to live rock. No "filter" is needed, just the proper type and amount of bacterias to complete the nitrogen cycle.

 

[ucdcrew]

You might want/need a heater, not sure where you live.

 

[andrewq]

Im in san antonio, and gonna get a heater for sure. I found a local shop that has live fiji rock for 2.99 and a lb. Which isnt bad at all.

If im setting up a 20long tank. Isnt 4 bulbs overkill? or am i missing something here?

 

[Sk8r]

The natural color of a marine tank, without coral, tends to be brown and pink with a little white. Any plastic ornament is likely to end up about the same with a little plastic showing through. Make your shapes with holey limestone. You'll be a lot happier.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

That's a great price on that lr.

I've got a 30 long that's 30"x12"x12" and I've got a 4 light setup. All of my corals and bubble tip anemone are doing great. My light setup is 24" long and it works great.

I got this one: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21460
It's now on sale for $212.49 The bulbs it comes with will be good for 9 months - a year.

I decided to go with the two blue+ and the two coral + bulbs for replacements.

FYI the titanium heaters are expensive but will last much longer than the cheap ones. I bought one el cheapo and it was bad out of the box 2 times. Not worth the time or trouble you go through as it will cost you more in the long run.

Don't waste your money on fake corals/plants. They will get covered in algae in no time.

 

[andrewq]

This is the staghorn coral I like.