20 gallon nano reef

[nanoreefnewbie]

First off I'm gunna start up by introducing myself,as you can see by user name I'm new into the marine world...very deep into freshwater with 3 tanks a 160 gallon,30 gallon and a fluval chi...winter fast approaching in Calgary Alberta Canada needed a hooby too keep me out of trouble :)...

Now for my first nano reef aquarium... As I said before it's a 20 gallon( really 17.5 gallons)..i know it's abit small for my first tank but liked the rimless design and impulse buy lol... For my heater its a fluval brand rated for 60 gallons kinda over kill but on sale...my filter is a marineland hob with bio wheel...should I even ever use bio wheel read that they are nitrite not nitrate factory.. true or false?? I'm also using a marineland led light was told it can support coral frag ect.. I've got a kydro circulation and wave pump rated 750 gph... I plan on getting a protein skimmer once cycled or should I run while I cycle tank?? Oh and I'm running a filter/ carbon pad..bad or good? I've notice saltwater not reef booby is very opinionated ..something might work great for one person needs not for another I've been noticing..

For my live stock sorta...I'm using Fiji rock..I've got 40 lbs..over kill?? 38 lbs dry dead rock and 2lbs live too seed it...there are mixed review on this..any opinions ?? And 20-25 lbs live sand for a nice thick sand bed... I've used nothing but RO water with saltwater tap water conditioner not sure if I should??

Any suggestions or opinions would be awesome except rude ones I'm new and and don't need the slack if I'm doing wrong let me know in a non rude way and I'll learn that's what this Site is for...

[Northernseacorals]

Welcome to the forum mate;

The tank was an impulse purchase eh; I think it will make a good home for some entertaining critters, one word of caution about impulse purchasing; saltwater impulses can often turn out bad, so study up if you want a new fish, coral or invertabrit.

The filter will get you going; I would personally not run the bio wheels, and investing in a good used skimmer as soon as possible will server you well. The heater will be okay too, one of the most important pieces of equipment you could have would be a refractometer, look on www.aliexpress.com for one, can be ordered from there for around $19; and identicle to what stores here charge $50 bucks for.

The choice to use dry/live mixed rock is a good one, it's not let me down before.

Be patient, read lots and understand you are going to have some problems; most; if not all can be handled though educating yourself on community sites like this.

Don't take cranky people to seriously :-) it suppose to be fun after all.

Enjoy you're time here.

[nanoreefnewbie]

Welcome to the forum mate;

The tank was an impulse purchase eh; I think it will make a good home for some entertaining critters, one word of caution about impulse purchasing; saltwater impulses can often turn out bad, so study up if you want a new fish, coral or invertabrit.

The filter will get you going; I would personally not run the bio wheels, and investing in a good used skimmer as soon as possible will server you well. The heater will be okay too, one of the most important pieces of equipment you could have would be a refractometer, look on www.aliexpress.com (http://www.aliexpress.com) for one, can be ordered from there for around $19; and identicle to what stores here charge $50 bucks for.

The choice to use dry/live mixed rock is a good one, it's not let me down before.

Be patient, read lots and understand you are going to have some problems; most; if not all can be handled though educating yourself on community sites like this.

Don't take cranky people to seriously :-) it suppose to be fun after all.

Enjoy you're time here.

thank you for your reply first i guess i worded that wrong the rim less tank was a impulse buy but the idea n desicion has been set 6 months ago...ive been slowly patently waiting for sales on equipment ect...summer was starting and was too busy enjoying in the sun :)...thus ive watched hundreds of videos, scowered the net for info but again this hobby is very opinunated...i should run the skimmer while cycling??and i have a refractometer and all the nessary chemicals ect n cleaning stuff ive got pretty much everything but protein skimmer...i think lol..i know patience is key too,what do you mean problems??oh i wont take them serous they will be ignored lol:razz:..im having soo much fun with this hoping too learn stuff alone the way

[lpsreefer]

You don't need a protein skimmer for cycling.
Not a bad start. A good refractometer is the best.
Good timing too as we have a nano contest starting up. So you can see what we do as reference.
If you have any questions just ask as you well get more information on here they at most Local fish shops(lfs) as we aren't trying to sell you anything.
Looking forward to seeing some pictures.

[nanoreefnewbie]

Awesome ill buy the skimmer now soo when needed I won't be screwed lol...and again I've got a good refractometer not a hydrometer ( garbage)..i very cool I look forward too seeing others tanks..and yeah I've been noticing if it's in a marine or reef books its true...thank you for all the advice and help all

[nanoreefnewbie]

Oh also forgot too add my light schdual too see if that is right..before I said that I'm running a marineland LED with 8 lights 4 moon. 12 super bright lights in total.8 am 830 very latest turn on in morning same time at night roughly 8pmish into darkness for a good hour or two then moonlight on while I sleep till 8 am..good or bad light schdual???

[Enigma]

20 gallons can be a great size. You've got some room for some interesting livestock, and the bulk of the work regarding water quality can be done with easily manageable water changes.

As Matt indicated, keep your eye on this forum section:
http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=233

The gloves are coming off and a few of us are doing "nano battle." You might get some good ideas. :)

[nanoreefnewbie]

Awsome thank you for not saying tank is too small thought it would be cool rimless nano reef yea was told many times that water changes are soo huge on a tank this size like having too do them important not the 2 gallon water change lol...and it starts Oct 1 for six months I might sign up now be last ones too enter in pics ect...:biggrin:

[reefwars]

it starts Oct 1 for six months I might sign up now be last ones too enter in pics ect...:biggrin:


absolutely sign up ,the contest is for everyone both new and experienced:)

we hope to see you on the field soldier!!:P:P

[nanoreefnewbie]

I'll be on the battle field jus signed up...this hobby is getting fun :) hopefully ill be standing at the end of the war lol

[reefwars]

I'll be on the battle field jus signed up...this hobby is getting fun :) hopefully ill be standing at the end of the war lol


it will be a great way to get into the hobby , basically from your contest journal you can ask for whatever help you need, any ideas and feedback.

youll have alot of guidance in your battle i guarantee it:)

plus its for fun, so take off the gloves get dirty and open up the ol noggen for some clean knowlege:)

any questions feel free to pm me:) cheers

[nanoreefnewbie]

I might not be in contest now..:( ..this morning like a idiot I signed up in a rush without fully read rules ..i started my tank a few days ago before been introduced too can reef...my tank is already cycling..I don't and cant provide dry empty pics of tank or equipment..:sad:

[Snaz]

Don't let the big boys with their big tanks intimidate you. Some wise soul once said "It's not how big it is but what you do with it."

Glad to see another nano reefer here!

[nanoreefnewbie]

Who should I ask too see if I'm still in or not I don't mind moving my dead line a month sooner

[Snaz]

First bit of advice I give to anyone building a nano tank is to build or buy an auto top of system. The small volume of water means evaporation will cause your salinity to climb quickly and that is bad for the inhabitants so an ATO is a must as soon as possible.

[nanoreefnewbie]

I replace water and check salitiy daily twice some times think I'm good there:biggrin: I'm more worried about bad algea. And un wanted pest..proper ontime water changes should keep that under rap tho right...?? And still Noone answers my question on my light schedule...

[doppelganger]

lighting schedule is totally dependant on what type of coral you have in there or when you want to view your tank. Fish don't really give a crap about lighting as much. That's something you can easily fiddle with later so I wouldn't worry about it.

If your tank is cycling you don't even need light unless you're trying to keep something alive on the live rock. Cutting the light down (or off completely), while cycling, might actually help with keeping the annoying algae that you'll eventually get while cycling at manageable levels.

[nanoreefnewbie]

Awesome thank you...i do have a star fish that tagged along the live rock I bought from a guys tank...

[nanoreefnewbie]

lighting schedule is totally dependant on what type of coral you have in there or when you want to view your tank. Fish don't really give a crap about lighting as much. That's something you can easily fiddle with later so I wouldn't worry about it.

If your tank is cycling you don't even need light unless you're trying to keep something alive on the live rock. Cutting the light down (or off completely), while cycling, might actually help with keeping the annoying algae that you'll eventually get while cycling at manageable levels.

I also have some algea break down stuff umm tank buster I belive..will that keep algea too a good level...

[doppelganger]

I'd refrain from using any additives or other stuff. Especially in a nano since the water volume is much smaller. Diatoms and algae are all a part of the cycling process. Be patient and just let the cycle run its course. After that your cuc and proper maintenance will take care of the algae

[nanoreefnewbie]

Sweet yea ill be right on maintenence been my first tank:biggrin: