Nano Reef 14 Cube or 20 Long

[Drasi]

Little background on why I'm doing what I'm doing and what I have.

Currently have a 75 gallon fowlr with a green spotted puffer, 2 black mollies and 2 ocellaris clownfish. The clownfish were the recent addition and since my puffer didn't care about the mollies I was hoping it would work out. Turns out my puffer is terrified of the clowns. He is not eating well and hides when they come around. He is bigger than them, and when food time comes he doesn't care if the mollies eat with him but as soon as those clowns get near he's gone. We are at 1.022 to 1.023 salinity in case anyone is wondering with my puffer.

Decided to use this as an opportunity and do another tank and go reef this time. I don't want to do too big as I already have this 75 lol.

Here's what I have that are options.
A 14 gallon cube in my desk (aqueon 14 gallon frameless cube) or a 20 gallon long I have in my freshwater rack.
If I do 20 long I have a decent light I could use that I could mount above the tank in the rack. If I do 14 I need a light because of where it said I don't have an option.
I have aquaclear 30, 50 or 70 (70 is missing it's top so I'd have to find one or make my own) available.
I want to do a skimmer if I can find a decent one as I know keeping water pristine is important since I'm thinking corals.
I have access to plenty of live rock and sand from my 75 and I can replace that as needed with stock dry rock and sand I have.
I figure I'd do the eheim heater just need to order one.
Don't plan on ato away but I will probably add one in the future.
I can raise the salinity to 1.024 to 1.025.

Looking for suggestions on what others would do and recommend. I like the idea of the 14 as its on my desk but a 20 has the bigger footprint for more options.

Corals I want is to be determined, right now my eye is on bta maybe gsp? I like the kenya trees but not sold on them. I'd like to keep light reasonable cost so I know that dictates my options as well.
Stocking will be the clowns at first not sure what I will add in the future. I do plan on adding cuc and maybe a shrimp of some kind but want to stay low on fish stock due to size.

 

[jgirardnrg]

I'd do the 20 long and get this:

Fiji Cube AIO Box All-in-One Kit 4th Gen - 20 Gallon Long

This is the 4th generation of the AIO DIY Kit with improvements made. The magnets and clamp are no longer provided in the 4th gen. A permanent silicone seal is required. Build your All-in-One (AIO) aquarium with Fiji Cube AIO box to maximize the fun of the aquarium hobby. Just drop this AIO box...

www.fijicube.com

I just set one up on a shelf for an Aiptasia tank where I'm going to breed Berghia Nudibranch.

 

[Drasi]

I'd do the 20 long and get this:

Fiji Cube AIO Box All-in-One Kit 4th Gen - 20 Gallon Long

This is the 4th generation of the AIO DIY Kit with improvements made. The magnets and clamp are no longer provided in the 4th gen. A permanent silicone seal is required. Build your All-in-One (AIO) aquarium with Fiji Cube AIO box to maximize the fun of the aquarium hobby. Just drop this AIO box...

www.fijicube.com

I just set one up on a shelf for an Aiptasia tank where I'm going to breed Berghia Nudibranch.

I was eyeing those I'd have to do some digging for a pump for it... I was just trying to save a few $ reusing stuff collecting dust.

 

[Thatdude156]

I was eyeing those I'd have to do some digging for a pump for it... I was just trying to save a few $ reusing stuff collecting dust.

The 20 long will need a light that provides more spread unless you don’t plan to have corals on the sides of the tank. That kit would be cool to have on it though.

I like the 14g cubes! Run the aqua clear 70 and it’ll probably be big enough to place a heater in it rather than in the tank. You might could even mod it as a refugium(guide floating around on the forum here) and skip the skimmer.

 

[Drasi]

The 20 long will need a light that provides more spread unless you don’t plan to have corals on the sides of the tank. That kit would be cool to have on it though.

I like the 14g cubes! Run the aqua clear 70 and it’ll probably be big enough to place a heater in it rather than in the tank. You might could even mod it as a refugium(guide floating around on the forum here) and skip the skimmer.

Hmm... it would have to be a pretty small heater lol. Might have to poke around on the fuge idea... I've seen 110's converted as a fuge (thought about trying that on my FOWLR)... I didnt realize they would take place of a skimmer...

I have 3 large lights that are from a 210g reef I bought from someone, but I converted it to fresh. I still have the lights though, they are LED 120W monsters... Was figuring one might do it if I can position it right.

 

[Thatdude156]

Hmm... it would have to be a pretty small heater lol. Might have to poke around on the fuge idea... I've seen 110's converted as a fuge (thought about trying that on my FOWLR)... I didnt realize they would take place of a skimmer...

I have 3 large lights that are from a 210g reef I bought from someone, but I converted it to fresh. I still have the lights though, they are LED 120W monsters... Was figuring one might do it if I can position it right.

Idk. I saw inappropriate reefer do it on his 10 gallon budget build. Check in the Pico section on nanoreef website. They have the guide to convert aqua clear to a fuge. For such a small tank a skimmer is fine, but both a skimmer or a fuge helps with nutrient export.
Yeah that’s good wattage for 20 long.

 

[Drasi]

Idk. I saw inappropriate reefer do it on his 10 gallon budget build. Check in the Pico section on nanoreef website. They have the guide to convert aqua clear to a fuge. For such a small tank a skimmer is fine, but both a skimmer or a fuge helps with nutrient export.
Yeah that’s good wattage for 20 long.

Yeah I was just watching his videos on it after you said that. I'll have to do some more research I'm definitely interested.

 

[fishhead1973]

look a the Red Sea nano all in one I have one its been great.