20 gallon long tank help

Reefingman · 05/23/2010, 02:24 AM

Alright so I have a wide range of knowledge for saltwater.
Biggest think I know is patience is a key and I will follow that so I can save up money on the way.

My plan is to do a 20 gallon long tank.
First I will start out with buying the tank, building a stand, ordering in some lights ( need suggestions for some good lights, for good price and where to order it from) then getting a filter ( thinking about an AquaClear HOB filter ), then filling up with water for a couple of days then following up with caribsea live sand and several pounds of live rock ( how much do you guys think?) and letting that sit for a month or two with weekly water changes.
Forgot about the powerheads. haha

How do you guys think about that? suggestions will help a lot

Also I was wondering about what kind of fish I can put in a 20 long tank?

THank you sooo much.
All the help will help me

reefWW96 · 05/23/2010, 06:05 AM

ok, for some lights, t5's or one 150 watt metal halide would work. can you tell more about what you plan on keeping in the tank (corals-what kinds, fish, etc).
If you get the aquaclear HOB you should get one rated much higher than a 20 gallon such as the one for 40 gallons or up. you would need 10 pounds minimum of live rock. you should probably get around 20 or 25 lbs though. Hope this helps

Reefingman · 05/23/2010, 12:01 PM

Do you have any links to some good T5 fixtures or a 150W MH fixture for good prices?
For fishes I haven't decided what I would like to keep.
I personally really like zoas but dont know what else I should get.
Whats the favorite kind of corals?
Is the AC70 too much??

greech · 05/23/2010, 12:24 PM

For some reason I cannot post a link but look at the Current Sundial T5HO. Not a top of the line T5 but I have one and really like it over my 16" high 40 breeder. I am able to keep just about anything under this light due to the height of my tank. I have an Acro about 12" from the light and its polyp'd out really nice. My LPS are very colorful as well. I would recommend changing out the bulbs when you can but at least it comes with bulbs whereas many high end fixtures do not. I'm running 2xATI Blue+, 1x Aquablue Special and 1xUV Superactinic. The fixtures is also very convenient as it has 2 built in timers, fans (not very loud at all), 4 LED moonlights that you can change from blue or white and one power cord for the whole thing. I feel this would be more than enough light for you unless you are looking for an all out SPS/clam tank. Here are a couple of pics for reference. Pics are only 1 UV and 1 ATIblue+ bulbs (really old camera, sorry):

My 40B is also sumpless and run an AC70 with filter floss and Chemipure Elite. Before I say anything else I would recommend a sump with a skimmer of a good HOB skimmer over the power filter. If you're dead set on a HOB filter go with the AC110 (it's not too much and you will want the size in the end. You can likely fit your heater in there. I change the floss out twice per week. I would recommend ditching the sponge that come with the filter as well as the other media and using filter floss that can be thrown out and replaced as opposed to rinsed.

Te other thing you can do is convert the AC70 or 110 to a HOB refugium. All you need is a razor blade, some super glue gel and silicone. You can make little baffles out of the basket that comes with the filter so you can have a place for floss, carbon (etc.) and macro algae. Do a search for "AC110 fuge" and you'll see some good examples with pics.

HTH

Reefingman · 05/23/2010, 05:39 PM

wow thats a good looking tank. Like the light color. Also your rock scape.
For my tank i'd prefer not to go all out and do sumps and what not.
Would it be fine to do like a AC110 for filter floss, carbon, and maybe chemipure elite.
and maybe a smaller AC model for mainly just macro algae?
Also do you have to have a skimmer on a 20 gallon tank? and if so then whats a decent one for not a whole lot?

Thank you.
Nice pics again

.

Reefingman · 05/23/2010, 05:41 PM

Also whats another light that will allow me to have just rock, zoas, and mushrooms.
One that I won't have to spend too much on it if you know what I mean.

sedor · 05/23/2010, 05:49 PM

My suggestions are to go with T5's and if your going skimmerless I would get an aquaclear rated for at least a 40G tank like reefWW96 suggested, but instead of using the regular filter pads take it out and put live rock rubble and some cheato in there. Those filter pads don't do much for saltwater systems and turning it into a small fuge would be so much more beneficial. If you go with the clear version, you might just get enough light spilling off from your fixture to give the cheato enough light, otherwise you might have to fashion some sort of light to go over it.

Also, invest in an auto top off system. Its a must have with a small system otherwise your salinity will go all out of whack. Not to mention, its annoying to have to top it off everyday.

aykim2188 · 05/23/2010, 05:57 PM

If you want to get a good deal on t5ho's or mh lights (and other accessories) you should go on your local c.r.a.i.g.s.l.i.s.t to see if you can find used items in good conidition.

Reefingman · 05/23/2010, 06:02 PM

Alright thanks for helping.
So a AC110 isn't too much?
I've seen mods that on the left side where in pumps the water to the big section, they put one of those blue carbon pads (is that a good mod?) and just put some live rock rubble with chaeto on top?
Anyone have a link to a mod?

Thanks

05/23/2010, 02:24 AM	#1
Reefingman Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 65	20 gallon long tank help Alright so I have a wide range of knowledge for saltwater. Biggest think I know is patience is a key and I will follow that so I can save up money on the way. My plan is to do a 20 gallon long tank. First I will start out with buying the tank, building a stand, ordering in some lights ( need suggestions for some good lights, for good price and where to order it from) then getting a filter ( thinking about an AquaClear HOB filter ), then filling up with water for a couple of days then following up with caribsea live sand and several pounds of live rock ( how much do you guys think?) and letting that sit for a month or two with weekly water changes. Forgot about the powerheads. haha How do you guys think about that? suggestions will help a lot Also I was wondering about what kind of fish I can put in a 20 long tank? THank you sooo much. All the help will help me

05/23/2010, 12:24 PM	#4
greech Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 3,133	For some reason I cannot post a link but look at the Current Sundial T5HO. Not a top of the line T5 but I have one and really like it over my 16" high 40 breeder. I am able to keep just about anything under this light due to the height of my tank. I have an Acro about 12" from the light and its polyp'd out really nice. My LPS are very colorful as well. I would recommend changing out the bulbs when you can but at least it comes with bulbs whereas many high end fixtures do not. I'm running 2xATI Blue+, 1x Aquablue Special and 1xUV Superactinic. The fixtures is also very convenient as it has 2 built in timers, fans (not very loud at all), 4 LED moonlights that you can change from blue or white and one power cord for the whole thing. I feel this would be more than enough light for you unless you are looking for an all out SPS/clam tank. Here are a couple of pics for reference. Pics are only 1 UV and 1 ATIblue+ bulbs (really old camera, sorry): My 40B is also sumpless and run an AC70 with filter floss and Chemipure Elite. Before I say anything else I would recommend a sump with a skimmer of a good HOB skimmer over the power filter. If you're dead set on a HOB filter go with the AC110 (it's not too much and you will want the size in the end. You can likely fit your heater in there. I change the floss out twice per week. I would recommend ditching the sponge that come with the filter as well as the other media and using filter floss that can be thrown out and replaced as opposed to rinsed. Te other thing you can do is convert the AC70 or 110 to a HOB refugium. All you need is a razor blade, some super glue gel and silicone. You can make little baffles out of the basket that comes with the filter so you can have a place for floss, carbon (etc.) and macro algae. Do a search for "AC110 fuge" and you'll see some good examples with pics. HTH __________________ ~Graham Current Tank Info: Tank: 40 breeder; 20H sump w/SWC 120; Sicce 3.0 return; Vortech MP-10; Sundial T5, DIY Actinic LED (3W Cree). Livestock: Pair of Black & Whites; Midas Blenny; Firefish; Yasha/pistol; Black Leopard Wrasse; LPS and SPS Last edited by greech; 05/23/2010 at 12:31 PM.

05/23/2010, 05:49 PM	#7
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	My suggestions are to go with T5's and if your going skimmerless I would get an aquaclear rated for at least a 40G tank like reefWW96 suggested, but instead of using the regular filter pads take it out and put live rock rubble and some cheato in there. Those filter pads don't do much for saltwater systems and turning it into a small fuge would be so much more beneficial. If you go with the clear version, you might just get enough light spilling off from your fixture to give the cheato enough light, otherwise you might have to fashion some sort of light to go over it. Also, invest in an auto top off system. Its a must have with a small system otherwise your salinity will go all out of whack. Not to mention, its annoying to have to top it off everyday. __________________ Ryan

05/23/2010, 05:57 PM	#8
aykim2188 Constantly learning Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Caseyville,Illinois Posts: 396	If you want to get a good deal on t5ho's or mh lights (and other accessories) you should go on your local c.r.a.i.g.s.l.i.s.t to see if you can find used items in good conidition. __________________ Ignorance is not bliss. Only the foolish say that. 33 gallon custom acrylic cube, 24 gallon custom acrylic cube sump, 110w Maxspect LED, Vertex IN80, Vortech MP10es

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05/23/2010, 06:05 AM	#2
reefWW96 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 300	ok, for some lights, t5's or one 150 watt metal halide would work. can you tell more about what you plan on keeping in the tank (corals-what kinds, fish, etc). If you get the aquaclear HOB you should get one rated much higher than a 20 gallon such as the one for 40 gallons or up. you would need 10 pounds minimum of live rock. you should probably get around 20 or 25 lbs though. Hope this helps

05/23/2010, 12:01 PM	#3
Reefingman Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 65	Do you have any links to some good T5 fixtures or a 150W MH fixture for good prices? For fishes I haven't decided what I would like to keep. I personally really like zoas but dont know what else I should get. Whats the favorite kind of corals? Is the AC70 too much??

05/23/2010, 05:39 PM	#5
Reefingman Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 65	wow thats a good looking tank. Like the light color. Also your rock scape. For my tank i'd prefer not to go all out and do sumps and what not. Would it be fine to do like a AC110 for filter floss, carbon, and maybe chemipure elite. and maybe a smaller AC model for mainly just macro algae? Also do you have to have a skimmer on a 20 gallon tank? and if so then whats a decent one for not a whole lot? Thank you. Nice pics again .

05/23/2010, 05:41 PM	#6
Reefingman Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 65	Also whats another light that will allow me to have just rock, zoas, and mushrooms. One that I won't have to spend too much on it if you know what I mean.

05/23/2010, 06:02 PM	#9
Reefingman Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 65	Alright thanks for helping. So a AC110 isn't too much? I've seen mods that on the left side where in pumps the water to the big section, they put one of those blue carbon pads (is that a good mod?) and just put some live rock rubble with chaeto on top? Anyone have a link to a mod? Thanks