20 Gallon Nano reef questions

[pookynyc]

First and foremost, I would like to say hi, I randomly stumbled across this site when doing research for my marine tank in the near future and these forums look like a collage of collected people of similar interests and information, so I figured it was a good place to start asking questions.

I have had some experience with fresh water before, but it was quite a few years back, this will be my first try with a salt-water tank.

I've read a few articles from random sources and what not and have come across 2 important things concerning salt-water tanks:
1. They are expensive.
2. They require meticulous care.

So with the small introduction done I move on to my questions.

1. Could anyone be so kind as to post some links to articles or guides for a novice future salt-water tank owner like me?
2. I ultimately want to have a tank with reefs and fish, is that possible in a Nano reef?
3. How much should the tank roughly cost? Any sort of ball park would be fantastic. (I know this is an investment and as such would require more time and money then another hobby but I feel other hobbies don't stand out as much as a fish tank :P)
4. Can any of you share your photos of your current nano tanks that?

I'm sure I have many more questions but just can't think of any off the top of my head. If anyone would be so kind as to throw in small tidbits of information and advice it would be sincerely appreciated. I plan on taking this tank completely seriously so I want to know as much as possible before I start my tank.

Thanks for reading, I will be looking forward to your replies!

[dobejazz]

Welcome to TRT !!

This is a great article to get you started

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/fa...t#faq_reeftank

[dobejazz]

I started out with a 24g nano cube which is a nice size to start with in my opinion
reefs aren't cheap but it can be done on a budget and still be quite nice
This is a pic of my nano tank it's a bit negelcted though

[pookynyc]

Thank you very much for the link and the pictures! Your fish tank looks so intricate and diverse! Out of curiosity, what is all that stuff on the back wall of your tank? and is that the fish from finding Nemo? :P

To be quite honest a significant amount of the reason why I wanted a salt-water tank was due to the movie :x.

Edit: Figured Nemo was not the proper name for the fish so I looked it up haha. Ocellaris Clownfish*

Edit 2: Is there a glossary available with some of these words defined? What is sump?

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by pookynyc

To be quite honest a significant amount of the reason why I wanted a salt-water tank was due to the movie :x.

Welcome to TRT. Nemo seems to have caused a big spike in interest in SW tanks. Just know that you can't have all the fish in the movie in the same tank, some just don't get along with one another.

[Vdituri]

You are not alone on Finding Nemo propelling you into the reef hobby.
ALOT of people have started that way.

I applaud that you are researching what is necessary. Too many people just go to the pet store and think they will be reefing by tomorrow.

Kelli, is that Green Star Polyps on the back wall? I was going to ask too. lol

[pookynyc]

I do recall reading somewhere earlier today that the tank the dentist had in the movie (if you are familiar with it) was an amateur tank with random fish thrown together. I also skimmed the surface of fish and other organisms compatibilities, I initially wanted an octopus but that seems a bit too far ahead for me haha. Going to try to go as slowly as possible with as easy fish as possible, I was informed that the Ocellaris Clownfish is good for a novice with salt water tanks as they are very docile and easier to take care of. [ Please correct me if I am wrong ]

I also thought of another question:

5. Is it possible to have a 20-ish gallon tank thats more deep and high then wide? Rather then using a conventional rectangular tank that is.

[Vdituri]

Clowns are great first fish.
They are pretty hardy.
Same family as damsel fish.

Just don't try to get an anemone without doing alot of research.
Anemonies are fairly delicate, require high intense lighting systems, and there are some kinds of anemonies that are not appropriate for clowns.
Not all anemonies are created equal. lol

Yes, there are 20g Tall tanks.

The biggest components I found for saltwater tanks from my college days and now is liverock and livesand. They both give bacteria that are extremely important to helping filter your tank water, a place to live and grow.

About 1lb per gallon is a good starting point. Both for the sand and liverock. You can't really over do those two components.

[Vdituri]

and p.s. Yes, please do disregard the nemo movie.
Totally unrealistic for keeping those fish in that tank.
Yes I saw it. Loved it. lol

[pookynyc]

Thanks for the input. What is live rock and live sand? is live rock coral? Do you have any links or sites with information I could read? If not a point in the right direction would be fantastic .

Also thought of another question :

6. Do you guys think starting with a 20 gallon nano reef would be a good idea? I do realize that having just reef's or just fish at first would be more easier to maintain but I'm incredibly big into aesthetics for the tank and like the whole slice of nature idea behind a fish and coral tank.

P.S. Finding Nemo is one of my all time favorite Pixar movies. (Hopefully Wall-E turns out just as good ^^)

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by pookynyc

Thanks for the input. What is live rock and live sand? is live rock coral? Do you have any links or sites with information I could read? If not a point in the right direction would be fantastic .

Live Rock is typically dead coral skeletons that have been compressed into rocks by nature. So no, live rock isn't really "coral".

Live Sand is a joke though. Use Dry sand, in 6 months it will be "live".

The term "live" refers to the living organisms in it that help keep the tank clean and running.

Originally Posted by pookynyc

Also thought of another question :

6. Do you guys think starting with a 20 gallon nano reef would be a good idea? I do realize that having just reef's or just fish at first would be more easier to maintain but I'm incredibly big into aesthetics for the tank and like the whole slice of nature idea behind a fish and coral tank.

P.S. Finding Nemo is one of my all time favorite Pixar movies. (Hopefully Wall-E turns out just as good ^^)

Given a choice between a fish tank and a reef tank, I would rather have a fishless reef than a fish tank. Just prefer the looks. Zooanthids, Mushrooms, and Palys (Button polyps) are very beginner friendly, colorful, and easy to take care of.

A 20G tank would be fine to start with. Just keep doing the research, be patient, and make sure you have ALL of the equipment you need before even considering a fish to put in it.

[pookynyc]

I don't quite understand.

If I put dead coral skeletons and "dry" sand in a tank and leave it it will become "live" in 6 months? Would I need to set up a filter system or lighting or anything? I'm guessing "dry" sand is just sand at a fish store right?

Do you have any preference on sand brands or are they all the same?

So in essence before I even decide anything I need to pick out a tank shape/size, filter, lighting system?

[OneDummHikk]

Originally Posted by pookynyc

I don't quite understand.

If I put dead coral skeletons and "dry" sand in a tank and leave it it will become "live" in 6 months? Would I need to set up a filter system or lighting or anything? I'm guessing "dry" sand is just sand at a fish store right?

Yes it will. Well, not just the sand and coral skeletons. I have dead coral skeletons in my 10G tank and that is all that is in it (no other rocks, no sand). It has to have a food source. Then the bacteria will grow on it and in it and then it is "live". The term "live" just refers to having bacteria, algae and inverts living on it. Its kind of a misnomer. It isn't really "rock" either in the sense of having a rock in your yard.

Think of a reef in the ocean. It is covered with corals. When they die, they get grown over the top, and the reef grows. As the reef grows larger and larger, the weight is pushing down on the dead skeletons and compresses it to the point of becoming "rock". There is more to it than that but that is basically the process.

If you want rock, buy base rock. Its a lot cheaper than "live rock". It just isn't colorful nor does it have the bacteria on it that you want on it.

Yes, Dry sand is what you get at your fish store, its just dry. You can't use sand from Walmart or anywhere like that as it is silica based sand (bad for a tank). You want Calcium based sand (good for the tank) and about the only place to find it is to order it online or from your LFS (Local Fish Store).

If you set up your tank using Dry Base Rock and Dry Sand, get it cycled, and then stock it, within 6 months to a year it will be "live" and cost you a lot less money than buying "live" stuff to start with. A lot of people recommend "seeding" the tank with a small amount of sand/rock from an established tank.

Originally Posted by pookynyc

Do you have any preference on sand brands or are they all the same?

Caribsea but only because its what stocked in the stores here and no other reason.

Originally Posted by pookynyc

So in essence before I even decide anything I need to pick out a tank shape/size, filter, lighting system?

The first step is to decide what you want to keep in the tank. Then decide on a size/shape. And, get the biggest tank you can afford and have room for. The larger the tank, the more forgiving it is for a beginner.
Once you have determined what you want to keep in the tank, and the size of the tank, you can start determining what equipment and light setup you need for it. Different inhabitants require different lighting/filtration.

HTH

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT! and to the hobbie!

[dobejazz]

Originally Posted by pookynyc

Thank you very much for the link and the pictures! Your fish tank looks so intricate and diverse! Out of curiosity, what is all that stuff on the back wall of your tank? and is that the fish from finding Nemo? :P

To be quite honest a significant amount of the reason why I wanted a salt-water tank was due to the movie :x.

Edit: Figured Nemo was not the proper name for the fish so I looked it up haha. Ocellaris Clownfish*

Edit 2: Is there a glossary available with some of these words defined? What is sump?

The clown is a Percula Clown very similar to Nemo

The back wall of my tank is covered with an encrusting coral called Green Star Polyps

Here is an article on sumps http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/fa...es#faq_sumps_1