Decisions, decisions, decisions

jack123 · 11/27/2012, 10:05 PM

Hey people of Reef Central,

I need help deciding whether to go with a 12 gallon or 20 gallon. Space is a bit of an issue, but money is the main issue. Which one would be costlier, what kind of stock, and how many lbs of sand and live rock would the take need?
Thanks, jack123

Reef264 · 11/27/2012, 11:45 PM

Well, I am assuming you are speaking if a "all-in-one" 12g bio cube type tank, vs. a 20 gallon long tank.Personally, the 12 gallon would be my choice all day long.It would be a simple way to get a plug and play set up, minus the rock and sand.If you want a more customizable set up, the 20g long is the way to go.For the sand and rock, I recommend 10lbs. of Tropic Eden Reef Flakes, and 8-20lbs. of live (or dead) rock.

-Ray

ACBlinky · 11/27/2012, 11:54 PM

Depends. Do you want a kit that's ready to go right out of the box, or do you like DIY projects? Are you buying things online, or at the LFS? Would you be wiling to buy things used from someone who is upgrading or getting out of the hobby?

Sand and rock, again, it depends. Some people use no sand, some have a shallow sandbed (mostly for looks), others use a deep sand bed (not really an option in a tiny tank though). Rock, some people use 2lb per gallon, others prefer minimalist aquascaping and use very little. Some of us use dry 'base rock' and add in a percentage of live rock to seed the base rock with bacteria and other life. It saves money, but you may not have the same diversity of life and it can take a long time for base rock to look the same as live.

Stock, that's totally up to you. You'd have more options with a 20g, but you're still only going to want to keep small fish in small numbers.

Honestly what I would do is start with your desired stock, and build around it. If you realize there are 3 fish you can't live without and you also want a pair of shrimp, a starfish, five hermit crabs and LPS corals, go for the bigger tank. If, on the other hand, you dream of a pico sized world with two tiny gobies, one snail, one hermit crab and a minimalist zoanthid garden, go small my friend!

hollister · 11/28/2012, 12:01 AM

I dont think the cost differance would be enough to matter.Ide go 20 gallon.
Stock , if its a reef tank then 2 or 3 small fish in the 20 and as much coral you can fit.
LR , 1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon same with sand.

I would start here. Worth its wieght in gold.

http://www.amazon.com/Book-Marine-Aq.../dp/1564651029

jack123 · 11/28/2012, 10:14 AM

What I think i'll do is compromise and go with a 15 gallon. This way I can get any 2-3 species of fish that go in a 10 and have a little extra space for swimming as well as corals. For live rock I probably will get 9-12 lbs and 2 inches of live sand. Idk about stock I really would like to get a Black Ocellaris Clown but other fish I don't know.

Reeferz412 · 11/28/2012, 02:42 PM

I would just go with a 20 long. Those are awesome looking tanks and there are hundreds of build threads here dedicated to 20 long builds. If you want to save money just get regular dried aragonite sand and some dried rock and maybe 1 or 2 pieces of LR. The couple pieces of LR will seed your sand and other rocks.

Just and FYI I think the tank is the cheapest thing you will buy (we are talking nano size tanks so they are cheap) but your lighting, livestock, corals, and everything else will be a lot more. So get a tank you will enjoy.

11/27/2012, 10:05 PM	#1
jack123 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Riverside, California Posts: 35	Decisions, decisions, decisions Hey people of Reef Central, I need help deciding whether to go with a 12 gallon or 20 gallon. Space is a bit of an issue, but money is the main issue. Which one would be costlier, what kind of stock, and how many lbs of sand and live rock would the take need? Thanks, jack123

11/27/2012, 11:45 PM	#2
Reef264 Where's The Reef? Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southaven, Ms Posts: 2,098	Well, I am assuming you are speaking if a "all-in-one" 12g bio cube type tank, vs. a 20 gallon long tank.Personally, the 12 gallon would be my choice all day long.It would be a simple way to get a plug and play set up, minus the rock and sand.If you want a more customizable set up, the 20g long is the way to go.For the sand and rock, I recommend 10lbs. of Tropic Eden Reef Flakes, and 8-20lbs. of live (or dead) rock. -Ray __________________ I'd rather Die on my feet, than Live on my Knees. Current Tank Info: 150g SPS Reef, 2x250w 14k Pheonix Metal Halides w/T-5 Actinics, 2 Tunze 6095's, Tunze 7096 controller, Ozone, Precision Marine Skimmer, Reef Octopus Bio-Churn Bio Pellet Reactor, GFO & Carbon Reactor, Ozone Reactor, ATO, Reef Keeper.

11/27/2012, 11:54 PM	#3
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	Depends. Do you want a kit that's ready to go right out of the box, or do you like DIY projects? Are you buying things online, or at the LFS? Would you be wiling to buy things used from someone who is upgrading or getting out of the hobby? Sand and rock, again, it depends. Some people use no sand, some have a shallow sandbed (mostly for looks), others use a deep sand bed (not really an option in a tiny tank though). Rock, some people use 2lb per gallon, others prefer minimalist aquascaping and use very little. Some of us use dry 'base rock' and add in a percentage of live rock to seed the base rock with bacteria and other life. It saves money, but you may not have the same diversity of life and it can take a long time for base rock to look the same as live. Stock, that's totally up to you. You'd have more options with a 20g, but you're still only going to want to keep small fish in small numbers. Honestly what I would do is start with your desired stock, and build around it. If you realize there are 3 fish you can't live without and you also want a pair of shrimp, a starfish, five hermit crabs and LPS corals, go for the bigger tank. If, on the other hand, you dream of a pico sized world with two tiny gobies, one snail, one hermit crab and a minimalist zoanthid garden, go small my friend! __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

11/28/2012, 02:42 PM	#6
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	I would just go with a 20 long. Those are awesome looking tanks and there are hundreds of build threads here dedicated to 20 long builds. If you want to save money just get regular dried aragonite sand and some dried rock and maybe 1 or 2 pieces of LR. The couple pieces of LR will seed your sand and other rocks. Just and FYI I think the tank is the cheapest thing you will buy (we are talking nano size tanks so they are cheap) but your lighting, livestock, corals, and everything else will be a lot more. So get a tank you will enjoy. __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

11/28/2012, 12:01 AM	#4
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,037	I dont think the cost differance would be enough to matter.Ide go 20 gallon. Stock , if its a reef tank then 2 or 3 small fish in the 20 and as much coral you can fit. LR , 1 to 1.5 lbs per gallon same with sand. I would start here. Worth its wieght in gold. http://www.amazon.com/Book-Marine-Aq.../dp/1564651029

11/28/2012, 10:14 AM	#5
jack123 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Riverside, California Posts: 35	What I think i'll do is compromise and go with a 15 gallon. This way I can get any 2-3 species of fish that go in a 10 and have a little extra space for swimming as well as corals. For live rock I probably will get 9-12 lbs and 2 inches of live sand. Idk about stock I really would like to get a Black Ocellaris Clown but other fish I don't know.