Need help finalizing odds and ends on 20g start up.

Evan West · Jul 18, 2016

I have done a lot of research on the other components of this tank but need help with a few questions i still have first being the stock. I am thinking about the following list for stock and need to know if it is okay? The tank is a 20g long and will be a nano reef with softies:

1*clowns
1*orange striped prawn goby
1*pygmy wrase
1*Emerald Crab
1*cleaner shrimp

Can i add a second Clownfish? The emerald crab really is a must have for me as i love crabs so i dont wanna give that up, that said can i mix in any other inverts like hermits or does anyone recommend another sort of crab? I know it will likely eat snails so i dont intend on getting any unless advised otherwise.

Next i am looking at this light fixture: http://www.marinedepot.com/Current_...xtures-Current_USA-CU04100-FILTFILDTN-vi.html
Will this work well for softies? It has an output of 23w and some awesome reviews.

My final question has to do with flow, i have a fluval g3 that i intend to use as the filter on this tank as i already have it and i plan to run it mostly bare to avoid a nitrate trap. This can put out 185gph and from my understanding that is not quite enough, is this correct? If so how strong of a power head should i get?

Thanks for any help!!

dbl · Jul 18, 2016

I will start you off. As to the stock list, it looks okay to me but I'm by no means a compatibility expert, so please wait for others to chime in.

The light you linked is actually a pretty nice light fixture - I actually started out with one. But you have to understand it's not very strong and will limit your coral choices pretty narrowly, at least in my opinion. Yes, it will grow some softies but if you ever want to move beyond that, it becomes questionable. The one advantage you have is the 20L is not very deep. If it's a budget thing, I would recommend looking at some of the black box LED's on Ebay. Many folks use them with great success on things beyond just softies. Again, my opinion and just one of many options.

As to flow, many will tell you not to use a canister in saltwater. But there are those that have/do use canisters. You just have to be very diligent about keeping it clean. You'll need additional flow from a power head or two. The size/flow will be dependent on what you intend to keep. This is another area where you'll get numerous suggestions on brands. I would recommend a couple smaller models so you can get some cross flow going in the tank.

Just my .02 for what it's worth.

SantaMonicaHelp · Jul 18, 2016

Welome to R2R ! Hope the reefing community is going great up in MI

Well I can't help with stock, but with the Dory movie coming out, I'll bet everyone will recommend a few types of clowns.

- C. Smith

reefwiser · Jul 18, 2016

I have a club member that bought this light. Its not that great. Would recommend AquaticLife Marquis Marine Dual LampT5 HO Light Fixture

The Tunze Nano Stream pumps are great little pumps.
If you get another clown I would get them at the same time.

Also I would suggest that you make a screen top for your tank to keep the fish from jumping out.

nwayne567 · Jul 18, 2016

Yea definitely add a second clown forsure! Add them at the same time, I added my second clown a few months after my first. Made sure I bought a baby one though so the first new she was the dominate one.. But for like the first few hours they didn't get along but now they are best friends and the first clown looks so much happier now

nwayne567 · Jul 18, 2016

reefwiser said:
I have a club member that bought this light. Its not that great. Would recommend AquaticLife Marquis Marine Dual LampT5 HO Light Fixture

The Tunze Nano Stream pumps are great little pumps.
If you get another clown I would get them at the same time.

Also I would suggest that you make a screen top for your tank to keep the fish from jumping out.

+2, good light choice, my brother has that light for his freshwater tank and those things are growing out of control! and yes rimless looks nice but I would also agree to a screen or a clear lid, I've learned that multiple times the hard way haha

Evan West · Jul 18, 2016

Thanks for the help guys! So it sounds like i will add that second clown. For the lights i want to be covered for softies and maybe a little wiggle room so perhaps the T5 will be better then, that would put it at 48w of t5 light. Will that be good? I dont want to bleach any corals. For flow it seems unanimous that i should get more pumps, how much more tho? I like the nano stream but at 660gph will it be too much?

Evan West · Jul 18, 2016

dbl said:
If it's a budget thing, I would recommend looking at some of the black box LED's on Ebay. Many folks use them with great success on things beyond just softies. Again, my opinion and just one of many options.
.

By black box LEDs do you mean things like this https://www.amazon.com/Programmable-LED-Aquarium-Light-Fixture/dp/B00ECHISKQ

dbl · Jul 18, 2016

Evan West said:
By black box LEDs do you mean things like this https://www.amazon.com/Programmable-LED-Aquarium-Light-Fixture/dp/B00ECHISKQ

That's what I mean. There are many to choose from. Far better option than the Orbit in my opinion for the price.

Evan West · Jul 18, 2016

Would something like that at 165w be too much light? I feel like that would be overkill for a 20g haha

dbl · Jul 18, 2016

The beauty is they are controllable/dimable. So you can tweak it to where you want and/or need it.

Evan West · Jul 18, 2016

Hmm so how will i know if its enough light and not to little or to much then? I would like to not buy a par meter right now.

dbl · Jul 18, 2016

That's a question you'll have with any decent (read powerfull enough) light you would buy. Basically you'll start off at a lower percentage/intensity to acclimate the corals you put in. Then you will very gradually increase the intensity until you reach that happy spot we all strive for.

If you have a fixture that is not dimmable, you can accomplish the same thing by raising and lowering the light fixture itself or the placement depth of the corals themselves, or a combination of the two. Lots of ways to skin a cat!

If you have a reef club in your area, you might be able to find someone with a meter willing to help take some measurements.

Evan West · Jul 18, 2016

Im also thinking about getting this pump https://www.amazon.com/Hydor-Evo-Ma...TF8&qid=1468892302&sr=1-13&keywords=powerhead

This and my g3 will put me at 360gph flow for over a 10x turn over in an hour, think that would be enough or am i way underestimating the flow needed here?