20 gallon mini reef ???

[Jr]

this upcoming fall i am going to be setting up a 20 gallon nano with your basic live rock and live sand. i plan on keep to percula clowns and a BTA and maybe a cleaner shrimp. i am just going to use hang on filters for the tank and a skilter that i made into a "mini refugium" that is currently on my 55 gallon. it just has live sand and caulerpa growing in it, but works well and will work even better in a 20 gallon. was wondering if anyone knew where i could get some MH for a reasonable price. and does anyone think i should use a protein skimmer or should the live rock be enough biofiltration, as well as the "mini fuge" to keep the nitrates down? and any other suggestions one might have.

[OodleyBoodely]

I think you might be asking for some serious heat and evaporation issues if you go MH. If you are planning to keep predominately sps coral then perhaps a 70w MH would be good. The BTA would do better under less lighting, either VHOs or PCs. Whatever lighting you choose, I would also recommend an automatic topoff system as well. The evaporation of even a 1/2 - 1" off a 20gal is enough to do serious injury to invertebrates - I know - see my recent posts. As for a protein skimmer, I think it is better with than without, but due to the small size of the tank, you could just do larger, more frequent waterchanges instead.

PS, Good liverock should be adaquate filtration for the tank, sandbed is optional.

[Geoff]

evaporation will be your worst enemy. an auto-top off of some kind would be a good idea. a protein skimmer would be a good idea. the shrimp may end up as food for the anemone. there is a greater chance of this in a smaller tank.

as for lighting, tough call. i like MH, but heat will be a big problem. VHO would work also since the tank is so shallow. you would still want a significant amount of light in there.

G~

[512148048]

yeah the only problem i am having with my 20 is the evaporation if you get a auto top off and just do regular wc you will be fine i have had my 20 up and running for about 6 to 8 months and i have a sebay that is happy and a clown to host it. all i really think is needed is the water movement and the wc'es. id say with a small tank id use a sand bet for the excess neutrients to get cought in to be easily removed
(an MH on a 20 might be way toooo much try vho)