salt water newbie!

[caitreich]

Hi!

So I am definitely a newbie to this hobby. I have done fresh water and have been, for about a year now, wanting to break into the salt water world. I have not set up anything yet, but have been slowly ordering/gathering everything. So far I have/will eventually have, by the end of the June, these items.....

Innovative Marine NUVO Aquarium Fusion Nano 20 Aquarium (with screen top)
Kessil A160WE
Kessil Spectral Controller
Apex Jr. with temp probe
Hydro Nano 240 and 425 circulation pumps
Hydro smart wave circulation pump controller
Bubble Magus QQ1 HOB nano protein skimmer
50GPD Barracuda RO/DI unit
100W Jager water heater
CaribSea Arag-live fiji pink sand
Instant ocean salt mix
Nature's Ocean coral base rock
Salinity refractometer
Saltwater test kits

Is there anything that anyone else can think of that I will need or should have? Any items that are better than the above.....nothing has been used or set up so I have time to exchange items. Thanks for any and all advice! Much appreciated!

 

[jraker]

Which test kits do you have, and what brands are they?

Also you should get an ATO. I always will go with Tunze for an auto top off, because they last a long time and are very safe. For a 20 gallon, you will want the Nano ATO.

 

[shifty51008]

I would look into salifert for your test kits except for phosphates, for that go with the hanna checker.

Dont worry about getting live sand, you will have to cycle your tank anyway so save money and buy dry. I like useing the special grade reef sand, good size and color.

I also agree with the ato, especially on smaller tanks cause it can change your sg quite fast, tunze while not the cheapest are one of the best though.

 

[ProZack199]

if your planning on keeping corals I'd look into a better salt mix maybe like red seas coral pro salt.

 

[caitreich]

Which test kits do you have, and what brands are they?

Also you should get an ATO. I always will go with Tunze for an auto top off, because they last a long time and are very safe. For a 20 gallon, you will want the Nano ATO.

I have the Salifert for Mg, Ca, and Alkalinty/Hardness, the other levels I have the API saltwater master kit.

 

[caitreich]

Thanks so much for the ATO advice, I will definitely look into purchasing one.

 

[MattGatten]

+1 on the Tunze. I love mine.

 

[bmackcw]

if your planning on keeping corals I'd look into a better salt mix maybe like red seas coral pro salt.

+1 here. I like Reef Crystals.

 

[jam.jo]

I have Red Sea Coral Pro Salt, it keeps all of my parameters in check for corals and all you have to do is water changes, especially for the nano, I would recommend this salt, depending on your tank load or if you have SPS, you may not even have to dose calcium since water changes would do it. Do you have a quarantine tank? What about a GFO/Carbon media reactor? Phosphates are important to keep down. If you do use a phosphate reducing media, Ferric Oxide is the way to go, Aluminum Oxide leaches into the tank and is not safe to run for long periods especially with corals.

 

[SFish]

I would upgrade to a 40 breeder tank. Petco $1/gallon sale $40 for the tank. You can't have that much in a small tank like that. On top of that you have to really be on your game as small tanks are not very forgiving. For the amount you spent you could have pick up a 75 gallon tank but that's just me. There's no way I could justify $200 for a 20 gallon tank. My sump is 20 gallons and I only paid $20 for it. Do you want a reef or fish only tank?

 

[BigEZ77]

+1 on a Tunze ATO and a 40G tank.

 

[CStrickland]

Innovative Marine NUVO Aquarium Fusion Nano 20 Aquarium (with screen top)
Kessil A160WE
Kessil Spectral Controller
Apex Jr. with temp probe
Hydro Nano 240 and 425 circulation pumps I think you'll need more flow, maybe swap the 240 for something bigger and use the 420'for dead spots. I have the 420 and it barely moves the water
Hydro smart wave circulation pump controller
Bubble Magus QQ1 HOB nano protein skimmer
50GPD Barracuda RO/DI unit you can get a 90 gpd for the same price from spectrapure
100W Jager water heater
CaribSea Arag-live fiji pink sand no need for live sand and you can't rinse it if you want to keep the bacteria so it makes a mess in the tank
Instant ocean salt mix
Nature's Ocean coral base rock idk how much they charge but it's the same rock reefcleaners sells for $2 a pound free shipping, and reefcleaners cooks out the phosphate before they sell it
Salinity refractometer
Saltwater test kits

Is there anything that anyone else can think of that I will need or should have? Any items that are better than the above.....nothing has been used or set up so I have time to exchange items. Thanks for any and all advice! Much appreciated!

Tds meter and chlorine strips to monitor your rodi performance
Some seachem prime for emergencies
A quarentine setup

Good luck and welcome!