How to: 20gal Reef tank/Corals/etc?

cdmsoc6 · 10/16/2008, 12:38 PM

I currently have a 20 gal tank with 26 pounds of live rock...i have a protein skimmer and two 1200gph power heads and a clear blue filter. It is power by 130wats 10000k bulb and daylight bulb and 2 led for night time. I have a few questions, I was hoping you guys could help me out with.

1. Are two powers heads to much?
2. What kind of corals should i add....i really want some colorful ones.
3. I have one ploy growing on some live rock..Do i need to feed it? How can i get it grow more ploys
4. I also am having trouble getting the purple algae to grow...what should i do to grow coralline algae
5. When will it be safe to add stuff....it has been about a mouth since i started this tank
6. Can i add anemones.....

Any tips please let me know....I am a newbie.

Thanks

Chad

WHiteout · 10/16/2008, 12:48 PM

im a newb as well, my tank is in the cycling stage right now and its 10 gallons smaller than yours.

i guess the only thing i could say as far as the anemones is that you probably could add one but research the species you want to buy. some get too big, or are very agressive and such. they also are anal about thier water parameters. If you do get an anemone make sure your tank catches up to be new bioload before you add other livestock.

for a beginner i would reccomend some zoas, and maby a couple mushrooms to start off. once you get comfortable enough with those corals work your way up to some softies or a couple LPS.

im sure some other people will say some different things (because im not really sure about the lights.) whats your temp at?

SirToppemHat · 10/16/2008, 01:03 PM

Welcome. You'll need to test your water for amonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph. Once amonia & nitrites are 0, ph is ~8.1 and nitrates are < .05 you should be able to add some things. Also be sure your temp is ~ 76-82 and salinity is where you need it ~1.024.

Zoa, mushrooms would be a good start for corals, as Whiteout said. I wouldn't spend too much money on the 20 gal, because you'll probably upgrade to a larger tank sooner then you may think.

Calc, Mag & Alk must be stable to get coraline and corals to grow. I achieve this by using a good salt mix and doing 10-20% water changes every 2 weeks.

ljosh · 10/16/2008, 01:49 PM

With 2400 gallons flow you are looking at 120x flow wich is more then enough. You could put them on an alternating power strip to lessen it if it seems like to much or deflect it it off rocks, tank walls to slow it down.

Acan Addict · 10/16/2008, 02:01 PM

cdmsoc6: Are your powerheads Maxi-jet 1200's??

cdmsoc6 · 10/17/2008, 07:53 AM

Yes the power heads are maxi jet 1200

Acan Addict · 10/17/2008, 10:21 PM

Ok,there only 295GPH.
I think 600GPH is a little much..

nikon187 · 10/17/2008, 10:34 PM

2 maxi jets should be fine. thats 30X turnover rate so def not too much. As for the anemone, most need higher light and do grow quite large. They also should only be added to an established aquarium ( 6+ mths old)

cdmsoc6 · 10/20/2008, 09:14 AM

I was looking last night on my live rock and saw a bunch of little white bugs...does anyone know what they are....are they bad???...they are transparent.

WHiteout · 10/20/2008, 09:42 AM

pods, they are good for your tank. nice little snacks for your fish : )

cdmsoc6 · 10/20/2008, 10:44 AM

So where do they grow from.

10/16/2008, 12:38 PM	#1
cdmsoc6 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 35	How to: 20gal Reef tank/Corals/etc? I currently have a 20 gal tank with 26 pounds of live rock...i have a protein skimmer and two 1200gph power heads and a clear blue filter. It is power by 130wats 10000k bulb and daylight bulb and 2 led for night time. I have a few questions, I was hoping you guys could help me out with. 1. Are two powers heads to much? 2. What kind of corals should i add....i really want some colorful ones. 3. I have one ploy growing on some live rock..Do i need to feed it? How can i get it grow more ploys 4. I also am having trouble getting the purple algae to grow...what should i do to grow coralline algae 5. When will it be safe to add stuff....it has been about a mouth since i started this tank 6. Can i add anemones..... Any tips please let me know....I am a newbie. Thanks Chad

10/16/2008, 02:01 PM	#5
Acan Addict Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: woodstock,Ontario,Canada Posts: 61	cdmsoc6: Are your powerheads Maxi-jet 1200's?? __________________ Acans, the crack of the marine aquarium industry. Current Tank Info: 50 gal semi reef mostly LPS, Deltec MCE300,T-5HO lighting.

10/17/2008, 10:21 PM	#7
Acan Addict Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: woodstock,Ontario,Canada Posts: 61	Ok,there only 295GPH. I think 600GPH is a little much.. __________________ Acans, the crack of the marine aquarium industry. Current Tank Info: 50 gal semi reef mostly LPS, Deltec MCE300,T-5HO lighting.

10/17/2008, 10:34 PM	#8
nikon187 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 4,717	2 maxi jets should be fine. thats 30X turnover rate so def not too much. As for the anemone, most need higher light and do grow quite large. They also should only be added to an established aquarium ( 6+ mths old) __________________ ----------------- Current Tanks: New 210 custom 84 x 24 x 24, 60g sump, SWC 250 extreme with bubble blaster 5000, 2 vortech mp40, 2 vortech mp10, 12 T5, Water blaster 5000, warner marine bio pellets, 60g clownfish cube, red carpet anemone with a 25g sump,SRO octopus 1000sss, 250w radium, lumenarc large.

10/16/2008, 12:48 PM	#2
WHiteout Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 234	im a newb as well, my tank is in the cycling stage right now and its 10 gallons smaller than yours. i guess the only thing i could say as far as the anemones is that you probably could add one but research the species you want to buy. some get too big, or are very agressive and such. they also are anal about thier water parameters. If you do get an anemone make sure your tank catches up to be new bioload before you add other livestock. for a beginner i would reccomend some zoas, and maby a couple mushrooms to start off. once you get comfortable enough with those corals work your way up to some softies or a couple LPS. im sure some other people will say some different things (because im not really sure about the lights.) whats your temp at?

10/16/2008, 01:03 PM	#3
SirToppemHat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 472	Welcome. You'll need to test your water for amonia, nitrite, nitrate, ph. Once amonia & nitrites are 0, ph is ~8.1 and nitrates are < .05 you should be able to add some things. Also be sure your temp is ~ 76-82 and salinity is where you need it ~1.024. Zoa, mushrooms would be a good start for corals, as Whiteout said. I wouldn't spend too much money on the 20 gal, because you'll probably upgrade to a larger tank sooner then you may think. Calc, Mag & Alk must be stable to get coraline and corals to grow. I achieve this by using a good salt mix and doing 10-20% water changes every 2 weeks.

10/16/2008, 01:49 PM	#4
ljosh Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 354	With 2400 gallons flow you are looking at 120x flow wich is more then enough. You could put them on an alternating power strip to lessen it if it seems like to much or deflect it it off rocks, tank walls to slow it down.

10/17/2008, 07:53 AM	#6
cdmsoc6 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 35	Yes the power heads are maxi jet 1200

10/20/2008, 09:14 AM	#9
cdmsoc6 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 35	I was looking last night on my live rock and saw a bunch of little white bugs...does anyone know what they are....are they bad???...they are transparent.

10/20/2008, 09:42 AM	#10
WHiteout Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 234	pods, they are good for your tank. nice little snacks for your fish : )

10/20/2008, 10:44 AM	#11
cdmsoc6 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 35	So where do they grow from.