My new 20 Gallon Reef

[yetti]

Hello people!

I have just finished setting up my new 20 gallon mini-reef tank!

Here are some specs:

• 20 gallon all-glass tank
• 2 Aquaclear 301 power heads with filters (just while it cycles, to remove particulate matter)
• 10 lbs of live sand (about 1" sand bed)
• 2 lb of live rock
• 200w titan heater
• 18" Power Glo fluorescent bulb
• Prizm Skimmer

I still have to purchase about 8-10 lbs of live rock, and will get to that this week. The ammonia is already starting to build up, and hope the cycling will not take too long.

I have a PH of 8.0 at the moment, specific gravity at 1.024, and temp at 79°F.

I'll add pics as soon as I can!

Cheers

[Loverotties]

I'd upgrade your lights and skimmer.

[crvz]

Sounds like a good start! What do you plan on keeping in the tank?

[yetti]

Yeah, I'm upgrading to a 2x65 CF before I start adding corals.

I plan on keeping a couple of fish, probably a clown and some other (still haven't decided). On corals, I'm aiming at a couple of leathers, some actinodiscus, polyps and such.

[Loverotties]

I'd go with T5HO instead of CF.

[yetti]

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! Would you say a 96 Watt T5 fixture is enough for most corals? (4x24 T5 Bulbs)

[yetti]

Just added 12 lbs of live rock, getting me up to 14 lbs! Now I just wait for the tank to cycle!

[swnoobie]

i would add some more live rock, thats just my humble opinion tho, cant wait to see some pics of it!!

[yetti]

I'll post pics as soon as I can (cant find my camera's cable!), probably tomorrow

[OneDummHikk]

I wouldn't add any more rock just yet. As you get corals/frags you will be adding more. Take what you have and arrange it and if you like the way it looks, leave it alone.

And yes, the 4x24W T5 is plenty of light on a 20G tank. Is it a 20Tall or a 20 Breeder?

[yetti]

The tank is a 20 gallon Tall. Regarding the live rock, I also though on using the rock my corals come in will finish filling up the space that is left, I'll see how I can get that to look nice.

Regarding lighting, I have recently also seen the Sunpod HQI system. Which would you recommend for a mainly Soft coral, (though will venture into SPS and LPS corals) system: 4x24W T5, or the Sunpod 150W HQI (only the MH 14k bulb, no flourescent)? Also, do you think a 2x24W T5HO fixture would be enough only for soft corals?

The tank is a 20G Tall

[crvz]

As I pointed out in your clam thread, I think a 4x24W T5 setup with single lamp reflectors is a great option. 2 bulbs would be more limiting on what you could keep, clams in particular. If you just want softies, than 2 bulbs would probably suffice for most of what you choose.

[yetti]

Thanks for the input on the lights!

I was looking around and saw a AquaticLife 24" 4x24W fixture that had moonlights and 3 separate timers on board.

Does anybody have any first hand experience with this fixture? I'm planning on getting it, but I am not sure if it is a good buy.

Thanks,

[yetti]

Well,

I just installed the skimmer and the shrimp I used for cycling is already gone. Ammonia and Nitrites are at 0, and Nitrates at 10 ppm. I'll do a PWC before I add anything to the tank.

I was thinking of getting my CUC crew this week, with 2 hermits, and a couple of snails. I'll maybe add a cleaner shrimp later on.

Cheers,

[yetti]

Well, I just got 4 Turbo snails and 4 red leg hermits in the tank! My next purchase will be a cleaner shrimp and a fire fish (hopefully) to start stocking my reef. I am purchasing my T5HO lighting this week, so I should be up and running to stock my reef!

Cheers,