First time 20 gallon Salt Tank

[fire45]

Hey everyone, as most people on this thread I am new to salt water aquarium. I want to start of by saying thank you to all the guys and gals for the wealth of knowledge for all of us new guys and gals.

I have a series of questions so here goes nothing.

First some background, I have a 20 gallon tank Bahamas live sand, filled it with real sea water, 15 pounds live rock and heater, circulatory, and marine land filter system. the tank was started Sunday afternoon. I also have a home water test kit and have been testing daily.

My plan is to have 2 Clowns, 2 bubble tip Anemones and one or two more kind of fish. clean up crew obvious.

Now questions,

1. I know that i need a light what kind of light should I look into to buy that wont exactly make me go broke for starting out.
2. I have heard that my cycle will be zero and i have also heard that i will have a normal cycle, i have heard both BC of using the real ocean salt water to start.
3. How can i tell when i will be ready to start adding livestock.
4. what should i be looking for in my ammonia levels and nitrite and nitrate level for right now and days and weeks to follow.

I have read a bunch off books and stuff but haven't been able to find anything that kinda fits my tank. If anyone else can think of anything else i would need to do our need or maybe tips and tricks it would greatly be appreciated.

Again thanks very much for everyone out there that is helping the new guys with all of these questions.

 

[143MPCo]

Hello and welcome... You should considering posting a thread on the "Equipment, Lighting, Hardware, Aquarium Filtration" forum I'm sure you'll get some great recommendations there.

As for lighting... we all have own views on lighting, but I like AI the best, not the cheapest but very reliable. I have a set of gen1 ecotech radions and they've not disappointed either. I have seen and read good things about other (you might want to consider Reef Radiance or Reef Breeder LED) LED systems... kindly suggest you do a search and you'll find a lot of good info on any number of lights with pro's and con's on all of them, in the end it's boils down to what you're most comfortable with.

 

[SantaMonicaHelp]

Welcome to R2R! I see a lot of question here. The same as 143MPCo, i recommend you to move the thread to the equipment forum. I bet you can get more info there. But here is the light we use, it's 150w Ecoxotic Panarama Marine 48". it's 1.5 years old, once fell in the water, kept on working, no burned out LED's. I am not sure this fits you. But it's pretty good. :xd:


--sophie