20 Gallon Tank 20 Gallon SW tank FOWLR equipment needed?

Hello,

I'm new to Saltwater tanks and was wondering what sort of equipment I would need for a 20 gallon FOWLR setup.
This is what I have in mind to start:

Salt Mix
Live Sand
Live Rock
Filter
Powerheads x2
Heater
Lights - what sort? and what type of wattage should I be looking at?

Obv all the neccesary testing kits nitrate, ph etc. Then fill with small Saltwater fish and some inverts?

Any help if I'm missing anything? And what you would reccomend?

I don't think I will need a protein Skimmer?

Thanks

 

you can do about any normal light for FOWLR tank but if you add corals at all you'll need 80 - 100 watts of light and yes you should use a Skimmer. It helps keep the algae down and that's very importent.:anim_40:

 

also get some actinic if you want coraline growth.

 

To start out buy around 20# of live rock depending on type and where you buy it from you will have to cycle rock first for anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks until ammonia and nitrites fall to zero usally from supplier will have curing rock info. After rock has cured next you should wait about a couple of weeks before you buy any specimens this will let rock build its bacterial cultures to have a good start up for fish load. As for lighting there are many types out ther for fish only tanks I would say a 9 watt actinic and a 9 watt day light these you can buy fairly inexpensive and it will enhance the beuty of the rock and may grow some very cool colors. As for skimmers that would help out a numerous ways it will even make your time spent with your tank more pleasant. I strongly suggest this piece of equipment it plays an important role. I also strongly reccomend using RO water for all usage even start up.

 

thanks that's v helpful,hopefully il be able to get the tank started soon and get some pictures up !



Thanks for the tips guys, hopefully get it up and running soon. If anyone else has any input please let me know
cheers

 

Good luck!!

 

I would say live sand is not too important, because getting 'unlive' sand and then getting live rock and putting it ON the sand will make the sand live too. Don't think all the hitch hikers won't move about in the tank
Live sand (that you buy in packets that is dry anyway) is a complete rip off. Nothing can survive out of the ocean in a bag for weeks like that. Its mostly chemicals that start the speed up of your tank cycle that is in the 'dry live sand'

 

Thanks that can save me some money as well!
A question for anyone who can answer the tank I'm getting does not have a hood/lid/canopy is there a website I can buy a cheap one from or would some thing like this work out:
Linear Single Light System Glo T5 24w

And would any T5 bulb fit in it ??

thanks

A question for anyone who can answer the tank I'm getting does not have a hood/lid/canopy is there a website I can buy a cheap one from or would some thing like this work out:
Linear Single Light System Glo T5 24w

 

I purchase carib sea live sand and the sand is wet.

 

I'm not sure of any places to get a lid that deliver in the UK, sorry. You can run the tank open-top though, nothing says you have to have a lid. Just make sure your lights are high enough above the water to be safe from spashes.

Dave

 

Cheers David C, do I run the risk of havin fish jump out ??
Or dust and all that sort of stuff gettin into tank and it being more of a pain then would dust etc. have a huge effect on the tank??

Cheers, would it be ok if I had an open tank and used a hangover light on the tank would there be any huge side effects people can think off???

 

I built my canopy out of wood I used 1x8 inch pine and stained it, with a lid so hen I installed my compact flouresants inside top of canopy. You can also buy at a hardware store pre cut plexI glass to set up top of tank.

 

A lot of people run open top tanks, nothing wrong with it. Just be careful with spray chemicals anywhere near the tank, wouldnt want hairspray or wood cleaner getting in the tank.

Dave

 

I also made mine. IMO, readdy made ones and custom made are way overpriced. Mine's a little complicated though. Ot's a MH canopy with the doors and all that junk. Make a skeleton using 2x2 and covering it using solid poplar.

I reccomend just doing a simple canopy using wooden planks and nail them together. As for the top part, get like a wooden board or ply wood as a cover. (nail) Then just stain it up. (I stained the inside as well so hopefully it will prevent the wood from rotting from condenstion.

 

Hello Ant105 and Welcome to Fish Lore!
Ken

 

The main side effect is that fish might jump out.
Or if you have a cat, it might jump in!
Also make sure, like posted above, you don't spray chemicals or anything near it.

You could always make a mesh grid to go over it!

 

ye I think I may go with the open top tank no animals to jump in;D so I will see how it goes and if there are any problems I spose I can always make a quick cheap canopy!