Is a 20 gallon even worth making a long term tank?

[Sourdoh]

I am 100% brand new to this hobby so excuse me if this is a dumb question. I recently posted about stocking for a 40 gallon I was looking at getting. However, I see the cost of a 20 gallon and its much more accessible for me rn with the space I have. My question is what can you really keep comfortably in a 20 gallon as far as full grown fish and corals? The main focus for the tank would be corals for sure so I'm fine if its only a couple fish but still. Will I have to upgrade rather quick if I only go with the 20 gallon?

 

[Kellie in CA]

I was perfectly happy with 25g for 4 years. The only reason I am upgrading is because I fell in love with the new IM 40L, but I really had no plans to upgrade at all before seeing it.

 

[dwest]

One of my favorite tanks was my 20 gallon. A couple of clownfish and some soft corals and you’re in business.

 

[Sourdoh]

I was perfectly happy with 25g for 4 years. The only reason I am upgrading is because I fell in love with the new IM 40L, but I really had no plans to upgrade at all before seeing it.

Funny enough that is the exact 40 I was looking at. Do you think I should go straight to that or go for the 20 to learn on?

One of my favorite tanks was my 20 gallon. A couple of clownfish and some soft corals and you’re in business.

Can a pair of fully grown clowns stay in a 20 gallon? I've seen so many conflicting points of view I don't know what to go by.

 

[Spare time]

I think its fine. Just don't over do it with fish.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I am 100% brand new to this hobby so excuse me if this is a dumb question. I recently posted about stocking for a 40 gallon I was looking at getting. However, I see the cost of a 20 gallon and its much more accessible for me rn with the space I have. My question is what can you really keep comfortably in a 20 gallon as far as full grown fish and corals? The main focus for the tank would be corals for sure so I'm fine if its only a couple fish but still. Will I have to upgrade rather quick if I only go with the 20 gallon?

Why not. Many nano owners with 6g and 14g tanks running a small world with success

 

[shakacuz]

20G is a great starting point! you may later find that you want to go bigger, though. we call this: multi-tank syndrome
since i've been a part of the FW community prior to going SW(about 2 years), i decided to jump in a 40G rather than smaller, and even so, i am soon upgrading to a 75G(will switch to a 90G if i can ever find one in good condition around me..)!

 

[ScubaFish802]

Funny enough that is the exact 40 I was looking at. Do you think I should go straight to that or go for the 20 to learn on?

Can a pair of fully grown clowns stay in a 20 gallon? I've seen so many conflicting points of view I don't know what to go by.

If you already want the larger tank.. maybe wait just a little longer until you can swing it.. save you the cost of the 20gal + equipment if you are gonna upgrade soon in the future anyways

 

[Hairyteeth]

My first tank was my evo13.5…my newest system is much bigger but I love my evo the most, you can fit tons of coral in any size tank, just may need extra trimming.
IMO if you plan any tank right it’s going to be a forever tank

 

[WWC Verified Sponsor]

You can make a 20 gal as beautiful as any tank you have seen. If you have any questions or ideas on corals you can always reach out to us at [email protected] . We are more then happy to help you!


-Keith

 

[Sourdoh]

So would a pair of clowns ad a yasha goby/pistol shrimp combo work for a 20 gallon? So far that's what I had planned to start with if I got the 40.

 

[Jekyl]

Sure a 20g can be a nice tank. It will limit you on fish size, quantity and coral though. Also in the long run the start up costs are minimal. Salt, water change filters, food, livestock, testing material all add up really quick. Best to take your time and get what you really want. If concerned a 20g will be too small, then a year from now you'll still be thinking the same thing. Best to do it once than start all over with a larger tank. Price of a 40g over a 20g isn't that big.

 

[jabberwock]

If you are brand new, I would start somewhere in the middle. There is much to learn, and routines to establish. Lots of equipment for the 20 gal would be reusable for the 40 gal. I would not go < 20 gal. I started with a 32 gal cube and now I am scaling back to a 25 gallon lagoon.

I just reread your post and you said "upgrade rather quickly". Don't do anything quickly in this hobby unless your tank is leaking all over your living room...

 

[dwest]

So would a pair of clowns ad a yasha goby/pistol shrimp combo work for a 20 gallon? So far that's what I had planned to start with if I got the 40.

I’ve never had the goby so do some research. But a pair of ocellaris clowns would do great. Also, agree about the 40 above.

 

[SchrutesReefs]

Agree with lots of comments posted. Like many, I had several tanks and then after a long hiatus started back up with a 20g Nuvo Pro. I did opt for “higher end” equipment since the smaller the tank the quicker the issues can occur. I ended up moving into a larger tank after a year, but 8+ months of soft coral growth made the tank look very mature.

 

[jabberwock]

And, clowns can be extremely aggressive. Maybe not the best choice for a smaller tank.

 

[JumboShrimp]

My 7-gallon all-in-one was fun…


… and so is my 20-gallon all-in-one. So I guess it can be whatever you make it, but you need to be modest in scaling the inhabitants proportionally.

 

[Sourdoh]

And, clowns can be extremely aggressive. Maybe not the best choice for a smaller tank.

Even if its just the two clowns and the goby/shrimp combo?

 

[Sourdoh]

My 7-gallon all-in-one was fun…


… and so is my 20-gallon all-in-one. So I guess it can be whatever you make it, but you need to be modest in scaling the inhabitants proportionally.

Looking at it 20 gallons does give a decent amount of space. Yah as far as fish and coral go I'd rather have more coral than fish for now. When I get more space then I'll worry about gettinga bigger tank for more fish.

 

[SchrutesReefs]

Even if its just the two clowns and the goby/shrimp combo?

My solo clown plays a game called “bite dude’s hand as fast as possible” every. single. time.