Create a new tank that will definitely move in 2 years

Rijos Reef · Nov 21, 2022

At the beginning of this year we moved to another home and due to logistics I wasn’t able to bring my 60 gallon tank so I had to say goodbye to that one.

We will move again to a more permanent new home in 2 years. Since i’ve been living without a tank for almost a year, it starts to itch again, so I’m planning to get a new tank, to scratch that itch.

I want to create a tank that’s easy to move when the day comes, so I’ve been setting up a plan and I could use some feedback. Here’s my plan.

A small tank: around 20 gallons, rimless, no hood.
Maybe a dedicated cabinet or I will place it on any existing furniture.
A light that can be clamped onto the tank.
I love sumps, but I think its easier to use a back filter compartment to house a skimmer and pump, maybe some media.
Probably some sort of chiller or just fan, since living in Indonesia can be warm.
Sand or no sand? I love the look of sand but maybe it’s easier to just go without.
Think a pair of clownfish, maybe a goby, keep it easy.
Basic clean up crew.

Any tips that can be helpful with the future move in mind are welcome. Thanks!

Spare time · Nov 21, 2022

You could use a very thin layer of sand, that should work.

Pkunk35 · Nov 21, 2022

So I basically have this tank you speak of, a 20g reef. Some thoughts:

if you can fit a 20g long, I’d go for that bc the length gives a lot of viewable space (30” long)

thin sand as mentioned or no sand, gives more room and it’s hard to get flow that doesn’t kick up sand in a 20g.

Hardest part I find with such small tanks is the top off: on non sump tanks it’s hard to find a spot to put it with even water level also looks ugly. I went with a auto aqua ato/surface skimmer and it looks like an overflow. Personally if given the choice again I think I would go with a glass top and hand top off or somehow plumb a tiny sump (or get a AIO to help hide gear). The auto aqua is ok, but my pump broke after 1.5 year so I can’t really recommend it.

Out of my tanks, it’s my 20g that has a very hard time keeping nutrients as well as alk. Just keep it mind when stocking such a small tank…it still needs nutrients and I find 20g easily bottoms out various parameters without constant watch.

GL!