New 20L setup questions

[fish.freak]

I have a 20 long tank I wanted to slowly build up into a nano reef.
Slowly because cost is an issue.
I have some lace rock I wanted to use, as I was told it would become live rock eventually, provided I add some live rock and have good water quality.
Should I use this type of rock?
Also should I use filtered water, or can I get away with tap?
What substrate is better, crushed coral, or sand.
Is it worth it to get the instant cycle bacteria or just wait.
Is a Amphiprion percula a hearty enough species of clown fish to cycle with, or do you reconmend another?
My current setup has a pengin 330 power filter, and a 24" standard floesent, and a 17" power glow.
I intend on getting a compact flouresent 50/50 down the line as the tank is established, but before I add any anenomes ect.
Any of your coments or sugestions are much appreciated.
Thanks.

[fish.freak]

Concidering all the costs and personal factors like, potentially moving in a year I have decided to just do fish only.
Should I redirect my questions to the general forum?

[dobejazz]

Hi Fish.freak,
You should always use ro/di filtered water for reef or fish only I believe. Also the use of a living fish to cycle the tank is not such a good idea. It is very harmful to the fish burning the gills ect even if they live through the cycle. Most here use live rock to cycle the tank or you can use a piece of frozen shrimp to start the cycle if you don't want live rock in the tank. There are alot of people on this site with much more info than me. So don't be afraid to keep asking lots of questions!!
Every answer leads to another question.

[petlands'great]

using fish for cycling is not a bad idea. use some damsels. i deal with customers all day long not wanting to look at an empty tank, when they set it up.
i also think if your only doing fish only, go ahead and use tap water, with declorinator. the only problem you will see is algae, because tap water has phosphates which helps produce algae. or just go down to your lfs and buy some saltwater premixed.
personally i dont care for the florida crushed coral, id go with carib-sea reef sand.

[markak15]

I second that.....I've always used tapwater for fish only and never had a problem. If you don't have high wattage lighting, you won't typically have algae problems either. I've also used damsels during the cycle and they always do well and give you something to look at while you're waiting. The problem is they never go away...so pick a good one!

[petshopboy78]

I agree that using tap is ok for fish only, but as far as algae growth goes, that can very on location. I see that your in the Pac NW. If your anywhere near Clark county, DON'T USE THE WATER!!!!! The water systems around here have so much Phosphates and minerals in them, you'll have masses of algae in no time. The PH in Vancouver comes out of the tap at 8.2. And the City brags about have "beneficial" minerals in their water. I don't drink the stuff!
I don't believe that using a dead shrimp is a good way of cycling. I believe that without a constant and steady supply of organics entering the water you won't get a proper cycle. Unless your planning on using live rock or Bio-Spira. Then you'd be fine. I've seen countless fish only tanks that have been nuked because of incomplete cycling form various cycling methods. Just remember "Slow and steady wins the race".

[fish.freak]

I have it all set up, and ready for LR, but the tempeture is too high 83-ish. I have the 150 watt rena cal submersible heater set to 76 and it was still lighting up @ 80+ degrees. Would a bit of crud on the bottom of the heater be causing this problem? I was planing 2-3 #'s of LR would it be able to handle the higher temp? How long with that ammount of LR would it take to cycle? Should I add initial animals snails or somthing?