20 gallon tall

[Voyeur]

I'm thinking about trying a nano along with my 75 gallon,is there anything I need to look out for in using a 20 gallon tall tank?

I think lighting may be a problem.......

Voyeur

[Jeremy1973]

What do you want to keep in it?

[Voyeur]

Not exactly sure at this time.LR for sure,and some coral.1 or 2 fish maybe.....
Im just wondering about the light getting all the way down.....

[ckreef]

Consider a 70watt MH --- that should be able to get some light down to the bottom. You can get a retro kit for around $140.00

[Voyeur]

I guess another consideration is do I need light that far?
I could put the stuff at the bottom that doesnt need as much light....

I never realized how tall this stupid thing is until I decided to try and reef it.......

[jesspaul]

Not that it helps you much but i've been pretty happy with a twenty long and a coralife dual power compact strip. I think its 96W total and the sps corals grow. I use it to grow out frags and such. In any case make sure you have a good reflector whether its MH or PC or VHO. I think the reflector is almost as important as the bulb.

[Casey]

I think a good reflector and a MH would be awesome

[ckreef]

Even with a 70watt MH thats still not a lot of light reaching the bottom. I am probably going to do a similar setup with a 15tall. 70watt MH and 2 x 28watt actinic 's (i allready have the 2 x 28 setup) Whos said 70 watt hell slap a 400 watter on there

[georgiajams]

I had a standard 37, which is a tall tank (imagine a 20long, but with 10 more inches). It wasn't ideal for reefing, although it was my favorite tank.

So, I think a 20 long would be better than the 20 high, although, like the 37, the 30in length of the 20 long is sort of unusual for finding stands, lights, canopies, etc.

I used a 4x55W PC over the 37 and I could support some easy SPS if placed at the top.

More than anything... the biggest drawback was the height vs. depth (front to back) ratio. Hard to get in there and clean/work.

To get to my point... you'd be ok, but I think you'll be much happier with a more shallow tank in the long run.

[Casey]

Hell slap a 400 watter on there

[jesspaul]

Hell slap a 400 watter on there

Were we talking about reef tanks or gumbo pots?

[Casey]

Either will do

[Voyeur]

lol
I dont want to eat the reef goop.....

The only reason I'm thinking about setting this up is because I have it.If I have to spend too much money I'd rather spend it on my 75 gallon tank as I need a lot more stuff for it.

But apparently 130 watt MH will work,Ill have to try it out.

Would a whisper 2 filter work on this tank?

[jesspaul]

Would a whisper 2 filter work on this tank?

Depends if your going to put lots of fish in it. I think with inverts only you really just need the circulation. You might want a surface skimmer attachmet for the filter so you don't get a surface slick

[Voyeur]

Actually I was thinking of only 1 or 2 fish,I would make it a mantis tank,but I'd sure hate for the little bugger to break the glass....

I really like the reef better,with 1 or 2 fish....

I have a 3 gallon hex that the mantis will get I guess.

[NeilsReef]

1 or 2 Fish + a mantis ='s 1 or 2 less fish?

[Voyeur]

its a glass tank..no mantis for that one....