20L nano setup

orbit · 09/12/2007, 09:24 AM

This will be my very first reef tank, i only had freshwater fishes.
I am planning to go small, see how well things go, then maybe sometime
in the future, then go big..

These are the equipment I am planning on getting

Tank: 20L 30"x 12"x 12

Lighting: Im not so sure, if these lights are do-able, Man it is hard searching for a lighting that is 30" long
As I was searching around dr foster and smith site for lighting, i ran upon these:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...70&pcatid=9870
would 4 of those be sufficient, if not I will continue searching, so these light are not my permanent choice yet

PowerHead: 1 Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump Model 900 (230 gph)

Skimmer: Rio Nano Skimmer (thoughts) I read in this forum a while back that it was pretty good

RO H20 : I plan to use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Filter System

Salt Mix: Aquarium Systems Synthetic Sea Salt Reef Crystals

I will also purchase a hydrometer, and thermometer, and i already have two heater sitting around

Test Kit: not sure where to go with this
Im guessing this is good enough:
https://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...=28950&catid=3

Live Rock: Planning on getting about 20lb (is that enough or too much)

Live Sand: Also planning on getting 20lb (is that enough or too much)

Fishes: Probably nothing more than two clowns and 2 more of something else

Corals: I guess whatever can live under those light that I choose, probably nothing more than mushrooms, soft corals, polyps

Cleaning Crew: Help please =)

QT Tank: Suggestion, the most simpliest setup, tanks

Thanks for any advice or suggestion

Ty1e · 09/12/2007, 11:09 AM

i would say change the hyrometer for a refractometer, way better and more accurate.

nano10 · 09/12/2007, 11:41 AM

if your on a budget i guess those light would work but if you can swing if it go with this.

http://www.aquatichouse.com/lights_files/pendant.asp

i had one on mine 10g nano and loved it plenty of light for a 20 long

orbit · 09/12/2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nano10
if your on a budget i guess those light would work but if you can swing if it go with this.

http://www.aquatichouse.com/lights_files/pendant.asp

i had one on mine 10g nano and loved it plenty of light for a 20 long

the lights look great but kinda expensive for me right now

i also did a search for 30" light and found these

Coralife Lunar Aqualight Double Linear Strip Compact Florescent Fixture
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro...aqualight.html

or

Dual Satellite Compact Fluorescent Fixtures
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...7&pcatid=13637

thanks!

twodaend · 09/12/2007, 01:36 PM

I'm in the process of setting up a 20L too, my first crack at a SW Reef tank and I went with these lights.

http://www.petmountain.com/product/l...qi-1062-c.html

I was going to go with the PC Coralife light also, but because I want to possibly keep a small clam, the MH was a better choice. I should be able to keep anything from my understanding. Also, now that I see the shimmer effect that everyone talks about, it is unbeatable.

tanker · 09/12/2007, 02:36 PM

IMO with a small tank (anything less then 30), you can do without a skimmer, If you do 15% water changes weekly ( which is only 3 gals).

seastar12 · 09/12/2007, 02:49 PM

It looks as if you have the basics down very well.

sprinj76 · 09/12/2007, 03:24 PM

I am also doing a 20 gallon Long setup. Just bought everything but don't have it all setup yet.

I went with the dual satellite lights you had a link to. I don't have the tank up and running yet but it seems like a nice fixture. I am a college kid on quite a small budget (I probably have spent more than I should on just the lights than I should for the whole setup, lol).

From what I've read with the 20 Long being so shallow and wide the halogen fixtures with only one light doesn't do a good job distributing light to everything in the tank. Although I have no first hand expirence, this is just something I've read (but it does makes sense to me).

I would also would reccomend, if you can afford it, another maxi-jet 900. From what I read with live rock you need good circulation to get the true benifits from it.

Keep asking questions, lots of good info on this site.

Any one disagrees with anything i've said please post why, I know I am not an expert and am not trying to be one.

orbit · 09/12/2007, 03:53 PM

thanks for all the suggestion

if i go with a skimmer how much % water change would i still need to do weekly? (about how many gallon)

also i can't decide which of the two lights

Coralife Lunar Aqualight Double Linear Strip Compact Florescent Fixture
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppr...Naqualight.html

or

Dual Satellite Compact Fluorescent Fixtures
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...37&pcatid=13637

o i was looking around and i was wondering if these lights are the same as the Coralife Lunar

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro...aqualight.html
two dollars cheaper and free shipping..

sprinj79: i do agree, there are a lot of great info in this site..

09/12/2007, 09:24 AM	#1
orbit Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 500	20L nano setup This will be my very first reef tank, i only had freshwater fishes. I am planning to go small, see how well things go, then maybe sometime in the future, then go big.. These are the equipment I am planning on getting Tank: 20L 30"x 12"x 12 Lighting: Im not so sure, if these lights are do-able, Man it is hard searching for a lighting that is 30" long As I was searching around dr foster and smith site for lighting, i ran upon these: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...70&pcatid=9870 would 4 of those be sufficient, if not I will continue searching, so these light are not my permanent choice yet PowerHead: 1 Maxi-Jet Powerhead/Pump Model 900 (230 gph) Skimmer: Rio Nano Skimmer (thoughts) I read in this forum a while back that it was pretty good RO H20 : I plan to use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Tap Water Filter System Salt Mix: Aquarium Systems Synthetic Sea Salt Reef Crystals I will also purchase a hydrometer, and thermometer, and i already have two heater sitting around Test Kit: not sure where to go with this Im guessing this is good enough: https://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...=28950&catid=3 Live Rock: Planning on getting about 20lb (is that enough or too much) Live Sand: Also planning on getting 20lb (is that enough or too much) Fishes: Probably nothing more than two clowns and 2 more of something else Corals: I guess whatever can live under those light that I choose, probably nothing more than mushrooms, soft corals, polyps Cleaning Crew: Help please =) QT Tank: Suggestion, the most simpliest setup, tanks Thanks for any advice or suggestion

09/12/2007, 11:09 AM	#2
Ty1e Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Calgary Posts: 620	i would say change the hyrometer for a refractometer, way better and more accurate. __________________ Tyson. Current Tank Info: 70 gal rimless

09/12/2007, 11:41 AM	#3
nano10 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: south jersey Posts: 620	if your on a budget i guess those light would work but if you can swing if it go with this. http://www.aquatichouse.com/lights_files/pendant.asp i had one on mine 10g nano and loved it plenty of light for a 20 long

09/12/2007, 01:36 PM	#5
twodaend Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 263	I'm in the process of setting up a 20L too, my first crack at a SW Reef tank and I went with these lights. http://www.petmountain.com/product/l...qi-1062-c.html I was going to go with the PC Coralife light also, but because I want to possibly keep a small clam, the MH was a better choice. I should be able to keep anything from my understanding. Also, now that I see the shimmer effect that everyone talks about, it is unbeatable.

09/12/2007, 02:36 PM	#6
tanker Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: sf bay area Posts: 3,522	IMO with a small tank (anything less then 30), you can do without a skimmer, If you do 15% water changes weekly ( which is only 3 gals).

09/12/2007, 02:49 PM	#7
seastar12 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 245	It looks as if you have the basics down very well.

09/12/2007, 03:24 PM	#8
sprinj76 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: WI Posts: 495	I am also doing a 20 gallon Long setup. Just bought everything but don't have it all setup yet. I went with the dual satellite lights you had a link to. I don't have the tank up and running yet but it seems like a nice fixture. I am a college kid on quite a small budget (I probably have spent more than I should on just the lights than I should for the whole setup, lol). From what I've read with the 20 Long being so shallow and wide the halogen fixtures with only one light doesn't do a good job distributing light to everything in the tank. Although I have no first hand expirence, this is just something I've read (but it does makes sense to me). I would also would reccomend, if you can afford it, another maxi-jet 900. From what I read with live rock you need good circulation to get the true benifits from it. Keep asking questions, lots of good info on this site. Any one disagrees with anything i've said please post why, I know I am not an expert and am not trying to be one.

09/12/2007, 03:53 PM	#9
orbit Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 500	thanks for all the suggestion if i go with a skimmer how much % water change would i still need to do weekly? (about how many gallon) also i can't decide which of the two lights Coralife Lunar Aqualight Double Linear Strip Compact Florescent Fixture http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppr...Naqualight.html or Dual Satellite Compact Fluorescent Fixtures http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...37&pcatid=13637 o i was looking around and i was wondering if these lights are the same as the Coralife Lunar http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro...aqualight.html two dollars cheaper and free shipping.. sprinj79: i do agree, there are a lot of great info in this site..