20 gal saltwater into nano reef??

[babyg2.0]

I've had a 20 gallon standard saltwater tank set up for about two years now. I don't use a sump, just your average HOB filter, heater, power head, and bubbles. I am starting a 75 gallon reef build in a few months but I would really love to get a head start on some frags in my 20 gal. I currently only have two clowns in it with a gravel substrate and two slightly large decorations, however, that may change.

My air pump is currently not working but I know what's wrong with it and will be fixing it tomorrow when I have more time. Although I haven't checked my calc/alk levels because I ran out of tests, ammo is at 0ppm, nitrates are at 0 ppm, nitrites 0-5ppm (it fluctuates between the two), and my pH is sitting at a solid 8.3. The temp is kept at about 78-80°F.

I was just curious as to what I would have to do to the tank/how I would go about adding corals and which would be best for my tank. I am just starting on corals but I have been keeping fish for about 5 years now. Any advice would be great! Thanks in advance!!

 

[Angelo Fatica]

What kind of light do you use? Maybe start with mushrooms because those are literally impossible to kill.

 

[trevormass7]

With corals a good temp to stay near is 77. I've seen people grow coral without reef rock so everything should be fine. I'd see start out with softies and lps to get used to taking care of them then work up to sps

 

[trevormass7]

Oh and the crappy part.... get ready to invest in special lights for your corals. T5s, metal halide, led, it's up to you but the good ones usually run around the same price no matter what

 

[thaitopher]

Agree. Most coral won't make it under standard lighting. You should probably buy the light you plan on using first, then you can pretty much add whatever coral you want, depending upon the strength of the light. Make sure though that your light will be compatible with your new 75g

 

[babyg2.0]

What kind of light do you use? Maybe start with mushrooms because those are literally impossible to kill.

I've been using the LED strip that came with the hood for the tank and my clowns have been happy with it. I am worried I'll have to get UV lighting because I'm not very experienced with different types of lighting. This is my only saltwater tank so it's been a learning experience for the family lol.

 

[babyg2.0]

I've been using the LED strip that came with the hood for the tank and my clowns have been happy with it. I am worried I'll have to get UV lighting because I'm not very experienced with different types of lighting. This is my only saltwater tank so it's been a learning experience for the family lol.

I forgot to add a pic of the lighting, my bad.

 

[babyg2.0]

Do you guys have any recommendations on lighting with lps corals ? I was thinking about getting some frogspawn or red sun corals but I'm not completely sure yet

 

[trevormass7]

Like the guy earlier said, I'd go ahead and get a light strong enough for your 75g. That way you can buy a smaller cheaper light when you start up the bigger tank and you'll already be preparing for the big start up

 

[Angelo Fatica]

Do you guys have any recommendations on lighting with lps corals ? I was thinking about getting some frogspawn or red sun corals but I'm not completely sure yet

Depends on your budget...I would still get one that can handle all corals just in case you decide you want something more demanding like sps corals, that way youre prepared. Check this link out.

 

[trevormass7]

I got my small led light from petsmart for $75, but I couldn't run that light on a bigger tank like Angelo said it depends on your budget. Here's a link to a light that's fine good for me and isn't super expensive http://m.drsfostersmith.com/product...4ulhAfXGET-Pu48vAngkmvztJaGLJSecx0aAv_a8P8HAQ

 

[trevormass7]

And the settings aren't super hard to learn so even if you aren't familiar with working led lights you can teach yourself pretty quick

 

[Angelo Fatica]

I can honestly say that high output t5s have never let me down EVER. They are customizable to an extent and provide light throughout the whole tank without many shadows. I have a t5 setup on my reef now but I'm gonna get a kessil led to experiment with them more.

 

[babyg2.0]

Would this light be okay for my tank?

 

[Angelo Fatica]

Those are meant for planted aquariums, try looking up coral growth t5 lights but you will need to buy the fixture that houses the lights, the light itself basically "screws" into a spot in the fixture. I have an aquatic life 20 inch t5 hanging over my tank now, try looking that up. This is what it looked like a week or so ago..

 

[Angelo Fatica]

I'm using a cheap led fixture right now tho this is the difference in case this helps you see which looks better..

 

[babyg2.0]

So would the light I posted be alright for a 10 gallon planted tank? I'm starting a planted with my goldfish and corals with my clowns so I'm trying to find good lighting for both lol

 

[Angelo Fatica]

So would the light I posted be alright for a 10 gallon planted tank? I'm starting a planted with my goldfish and corals with my clowns so I'm trying to find good lighting for both lol

I think so, you would just need a fixture to put it into, may I suggest a finnex planted led light? I use it on my 40 gal planted and it is very nice and has many colors and spectrums, even a timer. They are a bit pricey but worth it.

 

[babyg2.0]

I think so, you would just need a fixture to put it into, may I suggest a finnex planted led light? I use it on my 40 gal planted and it is very nice and has many colors and spectrums, even a timer. They are a bit pricey but worth it.

How well would these work? I know they're not T5's but I've heard some success stories using full spectrum but I'm not 100% sure since I will be moving the corals in the future.

 

[CalebWBrink2000]

LEDs are great, but those are not (for growing corals). I would personally recommend a Kessil A80 for your 10 gallon. Another option would be AI Prime, or a small t5 fixture. I believe Coralife may make one. Yes, this is all expensive, but understand that all reef lights are. The cheapest you could go and still perhaps grow coral would be one of the Chinese black-boxes, but they don't come in a variety of sizes as far as I'm aware, so it would be a bit big on a 10 gallon.