Varus' 20 Long Reef Build

VarusFulnir · 11/20/2014, 12:54 PM

Hello all,

I am a new member on RC, but I am not exactly new to reef keeping. A long time ago my 75 reef was up and running, but it had to be taken down. That being said, I would like some input on a new tank that I plan on building within the next month or two (not really in a rush). Here is what the plan is (I'm not apposed to change):

1. 20 gallon Long AGA. 30" long x 12" high and 12" wide.
2. Current USA orbit marine 24"-36" led. One for now, a second later.
3. Hydor K. Nano slim skim.
4. Aqueon Quiet Flow 50.
5. 2x Hydor K. nano 240gph.
6. Jager heater (75w)
7. 30lbs of rock
8. 20 lbs of sand
9. Red Sea pro salt
10. API test kits, some sort of hydrometer, eventually a refractometer.
11. Misc.

I plan on starting out with fish, inverts and Live Rock, then (this is when I would buy a second Current LED unit) I would like to move into Zoa, LPS and eventually some easy to keep SPS.

After spending a while researching, I have come to the conclusion that LEDs are still a heavily debated subject (and it makes my head hurt). I looked into the Current Orbit Marine LED because 1). the features are good 2). I do not have to build anything 3). I like that the PAR levels drop rather quickly (allow me to justify). In a shallow tank with 2x 24"-36" units means that I can have light demanding corals toward the top (LPS and lower light SPS), without burning my zoa toward the bottom. This tank will only be 10" deep after the sand bed is put in.
I do not plan on putting in a sump, but I do plan on doing 2 gallon water changes 1-2 times a week.

Please, if you would give me some advice, that would be great

P.S. I want this thread to be a documentation of my build, so I will probably keep it going. Thanks.

VarusFulnir · 11/20/2014, 09:10 PM

I was also looking at this light fixture. I think I would only need one of them and be all set and they have options to upgrade with timers and dimmers. Maybe this would be a better bang for the buck.

http://www.buildmyled.com/14000k-reef-spectrum/

VarusFulnir · 11/24/2014, 07:39 AM

Update,

I started to buy some things. I have the tank, one Hydor k. nano 240gph, some test kits, a heater and filter and the salt. Still waiting to figure out the lighting situation.

Lighting-- So now I am deciding between the Build my LED 30" 14,000k (200$) or a 4 lamp t5 fixture (170$). I am leaning toward the LED but I would like some input.

Please tell me what you think! Thanks!

VarusFulnir · 11/24/2014, 10:25 PM

I'm not so sure that I posted this correctly. Can someone just say a hello or something? Sorry if this sounds silly. I'm new to forums.

whiteshark · 11/24/2014, 10:49 PM

lol. Well, welcome first off. Second, I'll give you a little tip. People LOVE pictures. Post a pic of your setup or your intended setup or something that gave you inspiration and people will start posting.

Personally I built a pretty easy DIY light holding fixture that combines an AI Vega with 4 T5's. I like the adjustability of the LED and the shimmer, but I can't get past the disco ball effect. The T5's seem to smooth out the light and still allow the shimmer to show through. Honestly though, if I were going just one or the other, I might actually go T5. I just like the way they look more. It's really up to you. Nothing wrong with LED at all. Just have to see which one fits your eye better. Do keep in mind, though, that you will be replacing bulbs every 8 months or so with T5s, while you won't have to worry about that with LED.

VarusFulnir · 11/25/2014, 04:05 PM

Thank you, haha. I thought I was doing something wrong. Well I will be sure to post pictures, but I am going slow so maybe not right away. And Im not about to replace bulbs every 8 months so I'll stick with the LED's.

VarusFulnir · 11/26/2014, 03:44 PM

So I have some news. My friend who said he was giving me a 20 long ended up giving me a 29gallon tank. It has some minor scratches in the front but nothing big.

Another note, I came across a fish store closing and they were selling backpack CPR skimmers for 40$ Brand new! So I couldn't pass it up. So looks like I will be having a 29 gallon instead. I saved some money on the skimmer, and I think I have decided to go with the T5 HO's (4 lamps) which shouldn't run me too much. Looks like I'm saving more money! I guess that means I will start a fresh thread.

11/20/2014, 12:54 PM	#1
VarusFulnir Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 11	Varus' 20 Long Reef Build Hello all, I am a new member on RC, but I am not exactly new to reef keeping. A long time ago my 75 reef was up and running, but it had to be taken down. That being said, I would like some input on a new tank that I plan on building within the next month or two (not really in a rush). Here is what the plan is (I'm not apposed to change): 1. 20 gallon Long AGA. 30" long x 12" high and 12" wide. 2. Current USA orbit marine 24"-36" led. One for now, a second later. 3. Hydor K. Nano slim skim. 4. Aqueon Quiet Flow 50. 5. 2x Hydor K. nano 240gph. 6. Jager heater (75w) 7. 30lbs of rock 8. 20 lbs of sand 9. Red Sea pro salt 10. API test kits, some sort of hydrometer, eventually a refractometer. 11. Misc. I plan on starting out with fish, inverts and Live Rock, then (this is when I would buy a second Current LED unit) I would like to move into Zoa, LPS and eventually some easy to keep SPS. After spending a while researching, I have come to the conclusion that LEDs are still a heavily debated subject (and it makes my head hurt). I looked into the Current Orbit Marine LED because 1). the features are good 2). I do not have to build anything 3). I like that the PAR levels drop rather quickly (allow me to justify). In a shallow tank with 2x 24"-36" units means that I can have light demanding corals toward the top (LPS and lower light SPS), without burning my zoa toward the bottom. This tank will only be 10" deep after the sand bed is put in. I do not plan on putting in a sump, but I do plan on doing 2 gallon water changes 1-2 times a week. Please, if you would give me some advice, that would be great P.S. I want this thread to be a documentation of my build, so I will probably keep it going. Thanks.

11/24/2014, 10:49 PM	#5
whiteshark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 3,024	lol. Well, welcome first off. Second, I'll give you a little tip. People LOVE pictures. Post a pic of your setup or your intended setup or something that gave you inspiration and people will start posting. Personally I built a pretty easy DIY light holding fixture that combines an AI Vega with 4 T5's. I like the adjustability of the LED and the shimmer, but I can't get past the disco ball effect. The T5's seem to smooth out the light and still allow the shimmer to show through. Honestly though, if I were going just one or the other, I might actually go T5. I just like the way they look more. It's really up to you. Nothing wrong with LED at all. Just have to see which one fits your eye better. Do keep in mind, though, that you will be replacing bulbs every 8 months or so with T5s, while you won't have to worry about that with LED. __________________ Deep Blue 60 gallon cube: Setup in progress.

11/20/2014, 09:10 PM	#2
VarusFulnir Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 11	I was also looking at this light fixture. I think I would only need one of them and be all set and they have options to upgrade with timers and dimmers. Maybe this would be a better bang for the buck. http://www.buildmyled.com/14000k-reef-spectrum/

11/24/2014, 07:39 AM	#3
VarusFulnir Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 11	Update, I started to buy some things. I have the tank, one Hydor k. nano 240gph, some test kits, a heater and filter and the salt. Still waiting to figure out the lighting situation. Lighting-- So now I am deciding between the Build my LED 30" 14,000k (200$) or a 4 lamp t5 fixture (170$). I am leaning toward the LED but I would like some input. Please tell me what you think! Thanks!

11/24/2014, 10:25 PM	#4
VarusFulnir Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 11	I'm not so sure that I posted this correctly. Can someone just say a hello or something? Sorry if this sounds silly. I'm new to forums.

11/25/2014, 04:05 PM	#6
VarusFulnir Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 11	Thank you, haha. I thought I was doing something wrong. Well I will be sure to post pictures, but I am going slow so maybe not right away. And Im not about to replace bulbs every 8 months so I'll stick with the LED's.

11/26/2014, 03:44 PM	#7
VarusFulnir Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 11	So I have some news. My friend who said he was giving me a 20 long ended up giving me a 29gallon tank. It has some minor scratches in the front but nothing big. Another note, I came across a fish store closing and they were selling backpack CPR skimmers for 40$ Brand new! So I couldn't pass it up. So looks like I will be having a 29 gallon instead. I saved some money on the skimmer, and I think I have decided to go with the T5 HO's (4 lamps) which shouldn't run me too much. Looks like I'm saving more money! I guess that means I will start a fresh thread.