Julienlore

Greetings,

I have been cycling my first tank for 3 weeks. Everything is going as it should. In the meantime, I've been reading about a Marine setup, which was the reason I innitially started looking into the hobby. After speaking with a few at my LFS, they encouraged me to go freshwater first.

Before I stock my tank, I would like to know what it would require to run a 20 gallon "nano" tank. I have heater, filter and tank. Soon will have 40W of light for the tank (T-8).

I was also considering "growing" my own live rock. I would innitially purchase established LR from my LFS and then add some "base" rock (what kind of rock is used for this?).

Are there any good links to nano tank setups?

Anyone here have a 20 gallon Marine tank?

Thanks,

Julien

agsansoo

How much live rock did you plan to put in your tank ?

Julienlore

At least 20 lbs of live rock. I heard somewhere that you can "grow" liverock? I would ideally want to have 30 to 35 lbs of liverock as I'm thinking of going all natural filtration (www.nano-reef.com).

Also, I will hopefully be getting a double T-5 strip for Christmas, so until then there would be no corals, just Live Rock, Live Sand, and fish if cycling allows.

Julien

agsansoo

You don't have to put it in all at once. You can put a little in at a time. It's even better to get your live rock from different sources (LFS's or online). Better organism diversity. I started my 60 gallon with 10 lbs of live rock, now it has around 90 lbs. Take it slow.

Julienlore

Do you have to have a filter when you only introduce small amounts at a time? I'm planning on taking a good six months to establish the LR and LS. I don't have a lot of money right now so this is a long term project.

Thanks,

Julien

agsansoo

Without all your live rock established, yes you would need some other type of filter. A simple power filter would work. Like a Aqua Clear 30.

Julienlore

Do I need the lights for the live rock? I'm thinking of asking for a double T-5 strip light for christmas. In the meantime, I could start the nitrogen cycle and slowly introducing some live rock.

I want to eventually have coral which is why I want the T-5.

At what point does it become a full reef tank and not a "nano" tank? I might be getting a 30 gallon tank for free.

Thanks,

Julien

agsansoo

Simple PowerCompact fluorescent would be fine until you get some T5's.

A nano tank is less than 20 gallons. Less than 5 gallons is a pico tank.

Andy

Julienlore

I've been doing some research recently and have made some decisions,

I'm going to go with the 20 gallon tank. Start with water, salt and sand. Then add some live rock. How much LR do I have to add before adding clean up crew? Also, once the LR is in the tank, before any stocking, how do I make sure they don't "die"?

I'm going to buy a powerhead and run that the whole time. Before I introduce fish I'm going to make a refugium with an AquaClear 110, but this won't be for a while.

Can I cycle my tank without the LR and lights? I know I need lights for the LR, but do I need it for cycling?

Also, when people say Compact Fluorescent, are they buying these at home depot type stores or specialy equipment for aquariums?

Thanks,

Julien

Allie

I think you've emailed my boyfriend about some of his saltwater gear. Power heads and a 30g...possibly? If so you just missed 32 lbs of live rock for cheap....I wish I had of noticed your sw posts.

Julienlore

I sure did...maybe next time!

I've done a lot more research in the last week. I'm pretty sure of the system I'm going with:

-20 gallon tank
-3/4-1" aragonite (fine grain 1-2mm)
-AC110 fuge with macro algae, sand and LR rubble
-100W heater
-2X20W T5 ballast
-A few CF lights
-Pine canopy housing all lights and computer fan (already built) with reflector
-20lbs live rock and some "chain" rock that will hopefully seed. Looking to get about 25-30lbs of LR in the complete setup.
-AC30 Powerhead (maybe 2?)

Not sure about stocking. I want a pair of clowns and maybe another fish. As for cleanup, I havn't got the slightest clue.

Once the T5 lighs are running I'll start with some corals (slowly). I'll have the CF lights running for the live rock and fish, so no rush to get the T5s (mery Christmas to me).

All in all a simple "nano" setup. No skimmer, although I might add one down the road.

Thanks,

Julien

atmmachine816

I would get 2x50w heaters. That way if one breaks the other can keep the tank warm until you can get a replacement. You don't want the one breaking and losing all your hard work and money from one heater.

If you are going to get T5 lights and you have a smaller budget, I would think t-8 standard aquarium lighting would be fine now, unless you are wanting to mix compact fluorescent and t-5 down the road. You usually have to buy these bulbs from a aquarium store other wise you won't get the right kelvin and your corals won't grow and you may get excess algae, etc. Are you planning on getting ballasts and bubls or getting a pre-built fixture for your tank?

I don't know what the gph is for a AC30 powerhead but ideally you want 20x your tank volume, so you want about 400 gph. I would get two of them, similar idea as with the heaters and put each in the corners of your tank pointing at the center front glass. Depending on the type of corals you plan on getting you may need more flow or less.

hmm agansoo should be able to help with the rest.