20 gallon long vs a 29 Gallon stocking

[AbstractSoul]

Hello, I was going to set up my 20-gallon-long freshwater tank with a HOB filter, light, and heater already. I decided to go saltwater instead. Should I keep the 20-gallon long or would the upgrade to 29 gallon be worth it? I'm asking in terms of stocking. Would the fish I am able to keep change? Both the tanks have the exact same horizontal dimensions except that the 29 gallon is 6 inches taller. Thanks

 

[shakacuz]

personally would go with the 20G long, and use the money i would've spent buying the 29g on maybe buying a bigger/better filtration.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Agree I would keep the 20, not much benefit in just 6 inches higher but same length & width.

 

[Devaji]

I 3rd in keeping the 20L IMHO they look so much better than the 29s

if you keep the HOB filter look in to the intank meda baskets for them.
use live sand and live rock and be good about water changes and you will be good to go.

enjoy!

 

[AbstractSoul]

I 3rd in keeping the 20L IMHO they look so much better than the 29s

if you keep the HOB filter look in to the intank meda baskets for them.
use live sand and live rock and be good about water changes and you will be good to go.

enjoy!

Thank you for the reply,
Do you think I could safely use my tap water for a fish-only tank? And can I mix up dry and live rock as well?

 

[Devaji]

Thank you for the reply,
Do you think I could safely use my tap water for a fish-only tank? And can I mix up dry and live rock as well?

I would not even with FO tanks. I guess it all depends on the TDS and what else is in the water.

an RODI system is not all that much. I bet you could find a used one and replace the filters. but by the time you do that might as well get a new one.

remember the best sales of the year are around black Friday. normally 10-20% of. your low on funds check out the local reefing clubs in your area, often you can find great to good deals. facebook market place is another place to look for used gear.

yes you can mix LR with dry rock. lots of people do it. each have there pros and cons. i would spend some time to learn about what you think is best.

for live rock look in to Tampa bay saltwater and KP aquatics both are aqua cultured so that nice.
for dry rock I like real reef rock or tide line. the later is pretty spendy ...

also look in to NSA type of scaping. you can made the scape then seed it with real LR for a month or two while you save up for other gear.

in a 20L you will not need a ton of LR so maybe even some aussie LR but that will run you $25/ pound.

there are many ways to start a tank. I would suggest look through the nano section and see what others are doing.


years ago a have a 20L macro algae tank was supper cool then a few years a 18.5 gal. peninsula between the couch and a chair. that tank started my love for peninsula tanks.

have fun!

 

[Devaji]

oh on a side note one could have a lot more fish in a FW tank VS SW tank. not a ton of smaller SW fish but the ones there are cool.

if you can push your budget the petco dollar per gal sale happens 4X a year a 40br is a great size tank. IDK just an idea.

 

[mpatterson42]

I know Live Aquaria isn't 100% accurate but I did find quite a few fish where it recommended a 30 gallon tank. Royal Gramma Basslet, Kaudern's Cardinalfish, Diamond Watchman Goby, Saddle Valentini Puffer, and Green Mandarin are all listed as a minimum of 30 gallons. What are people's thoughts, could those go into a 20?

I'm kind of in the same situation as OP trying to decide between a 20 or 29 gallon tank and it seemed like there were more fish options with the 29 (I'm going to assume rounding up from 29 to 30 for the tank size is fine).

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on a 30ish gallon AIO? I know the Fiji Cube 32 AIO Nano is an option, but I'm surprised that other AIO manufacturers don't really offer this (or they've been discontinued). Innovative Marine has a 25 then it jumps to 40, Waterbox has a 25 for $300 then it jumps to $750 for the 35.2 gallon.

 

[Devaji]

I know Live Aquaria isn't 100% accurate but I did find quite a few fish where it recommended a 30 gallon tank. Royal Gramma Basslet, Kaudern's Cardinalfish, Diamond Watchman Goby, Saddle Valentini Puffer, and Green Mandarin are all listed as a minimum of 30 gallons. What are people's thoughts, could those go into a 20?

I'm kind of in the same situation as OP trying to decide between a 20 or 29 gallon tank and it seemed like there were more fish options with the 29 (I'm going to assume rounding up from 29 to 30 for the tank size is fine).

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on a 30ish gallon AIO? I know the Fiji Cube 32 AIO Nano is an option, but I'm surprised that other AIO manufacturers don't really offer this (or they've been discontinued). Innovative Marine has a 25 then it jumps to 40, Waterbox has a 25 for $300 then it jumps to $750 for the 35.2 gallon.

IMHO just go with the 40br you can pick one up for around $40 bucks. build a stand or use the metal one from petco/amazon.

BUT if you must have an AIO Water box , red sea innovatime marine & fiji cube are the ones that come to mind.

one could always build an AIO ... fiji cube makes the insets... worth checking into


there might be some FW AIO I dont know about....