Putting together a 20g

[jaydubh11]

I am new to the saltwater hobby and I plan on putting together a 20g tank. I am still trying to learn all I can so I can do it right and have a successful tank. I have already purchased the tank itself - a 20g regular size (24"x13"x16") from SeaClear made of acrylic. The tank will be in my bedroom, so I am aiming for as quiet as possible. I want something enjoyable and relatively easy to maintain.

For lighting I have chosen the "Orbit" made by Current USA and I am looking for a good timer to put it on (Coralife PowerCenter?). It comes with 2 SunPaq 65w's (10000K, actinic, and 2 lunars).

Filtration will be done through 20 pounds of Fiji Live Rock and 10-15 pounds of Live Sand (which I still need a recommendation on). I would also like to add a HOB Protein Skimmer. Right now I am choosing between the BakPak 2R+, SeaClone, and AquaC Remora. I am open to any other suggestions or recommendations. I am under the impression that a filter will not be necessary, please confirm this or correct me if I am wrong.

For circulation I plan on going with 2 MaxiJet 600's on each side of the tank. I have also looked at the AquaClear's because I like the idea of having something adjustable but I understand that they cannot be hooked up to wavemakers. I initially was getting a 100w Jager for my heater but it will not fit so I am thinking about going with something fully submersible like the VisiTherm Stealth.

I need to find some good test kits and cleaning utensils such as a scrubs for acrylic, nets, buckets, gloves, propagation tools, etc. I have been told that Salifert has the best test kits, so I think I will go with them for Ammonia/Nitrate/Nitrite testing. For specific gravity I will either go with a cheap refractometer or an Instant Ocean Hydrometer.

Now for the livestock. 1 or 2 Percula Clowns would be the highlight of my tank fish wise. Some Turbo Snails, Nassarius Snails, Margarita Snails, Cleaner Shrimp, a Clown Goby, a Blenny, and a Firefish. Mushrooms, Zoanthids, Leathers, and Xenias would make up my selection of corals. I could use some input on my combinations and what I should initially put in after the tank's first cycle for my "clean up crew".

Now for the water. I do not have access to a RO/DI filter and do not particularly want to shell out $200+ for one, so I plan on using distilled water combined with the Instant Ocean Reef Crystals. Is there a cheaper method of filtration I should apply to the distilled water before mixing?

So far I am under the impression to set up in the following manor:

1. Fill tank halfway with saltwater
2. Insert cured Live Sand
3. Insert cured Live Rock
4. Fill the tank and turn on powerheads and heater
5. Wait until tank has cycled and then add "clean up crew"
6. Turn on lights now?
7. Let tank cycle again?
8. Ready for fish?
9. Once tank is well established, add corals

I could definitely use some help on the initial set up and my options for filtration.

I really appreciate any insight you can provide. Reef Central has been a great source of information for my preparation!

 

[GotSalt?]

ok i think you are on the right track however i think that 2 maxi 600 will be a bit to much, i wouls stick with 1 maxi 600. as for the protien skimmer i would deff go with the Aqua C with a maxi 1200 that should give you some decent flow. you deff want a fully submercable heater. i do run a carbon filter on mine. it helps clear the water and the filter pad hepse pick up the larger things in the water. as for water testing kits. i used the strips. i found them to be just as accurate for the esential test(ammonia, NO2, NO3). if you dont get the refracto get a bober style hydrometer, stay away from the swing arm ones. your tank will prolly hold about 4 fish 2 clowns sound nice with 2 others of your choice. 1-2 turbo snails, nauss snails are great i think. that is all that i have. when it comes to water you can use distilled water or you can get a RO/DI machine anywhere from 80-300. the RO machine will pay for its self over time since you wont be buying distilled water all the time. i got my RO/DI off ebay. other will flame that but it does well for me.

When setting up the tank i mixed about 15 gallons of water in the tank and let it mix over night then added sand and rock. you can leave lights on or off during cycle i left mine on but you can do whatever. any more questions let me know

 

[jaydubh11]

What filter for carbon do you recommend? What about 2 MaxiJet 400's? I have been told have 2 PH's is a good idea. What corals do you have?

 

[GotSalt?]

well i have a tetra HOB carbon filter and that is what i would say. you can get them at pets mart. 2 400's will be much better then 2 600's i i have one of the ones that go back and fourth. i got it at pets mart too. for corals i have a bunch of zoos a kenya tree, green star polyps, hammer, xina, few mushrooms, a few sps that i cant remember and today a new annonime(Sp?)

 

[jaydubh11]

I just got the tank set-up yesterday. This is what is looks like today:

The powerhead on the left is a Maxi-jet 600 and the one on the right is a Maxi-jet 400. The Remora is hooked up to a Maxi-jet 1200.

I have about 25 pounds of Fiji Live Rock and 25 pounds of Florida Live Sand. I purchased from Premium Aquatics, but if I had it to do over again I would probably just go with Dr. Foster & Smith.

I will be testing the parameters today. I haven't been getting very accurate readings on Specific Gravity (refractometer is still on the way) so I am a little concerned about that. I haven't seen much life out of the Live Rock, but then again I don't really know what to expect. And nothing has collected in the Remora collection cup so far except for steam.

Feedback and suggestions are still appreciated!

 

[jaydubh11]

Input?

 

[Charlie97L]

looks good! i have a couple stocking comments...

first off, i'd go with no more than 3 fish. 4 is overkill. i have 5 in my 58, and i'm maxed out.

also, just from my experience, unless you want to put a lid on the tank, a firefish is a bad idea... until they get really settled in, they'll be skittish, and try to jump a lot. i had a purple one that attempted to jump 3-4 times a day, but i had a lid on, so it wasn't a problem. now, 4 months later, i took the lid off, and he's fine, as he has about 6 bolt holes he's established.

it looks really good so far! so you're going sumpless? I have a 20g custom that's the same size/style, but have a rear overflow, and i'm going to do a sump.

what stand is that? or is it just a table? i'm searching for a stand myself for that footprint.

 

[flinka]

I have 20G long with a Remora HOB and a medium CPR Aquafuge. I have two black & white clowns in quarantine waiting to go in this tank and will add one, maybe two at most smaller fish (clown goby size) later. The skimmer will definitely help with the bioload but you will still need to be on top of water changes.

 

[Poorcollegereef]

good choice with the aquaC.

If you are looking at cheap water, look into API's tap water filter. It is a DI unit and is cheap. 30 bucks for a unit and 16 dollars for each refil cartage on DrFS. Some hobbiest might debale about it but it removes my nitrates and phosphates so I can detect them. I dont know about the TDS reading but I have had good success and no algae.

your tank is looking good, the live rock looks good to. dont worry about the live-creatre yet, it normally takes a while for them to develop