I Am Starting A 20 Gallon Tall

[biggyal66]

I AM STARTING A 20 GALLON TALL SW TANK. I AM A NEWBIE TO THIS ALL AND WAS WONDERING IF THE IDEA'S THAT I HAVE WOULD WORK WELL OR NOT. I AM BUILDING MY OWN HOOD WITH LIGHTS AND BUYING EVERYTHING ELSE. THE ATTACHED PIC IS MY IDEA OF THE HOOD WITH

THESE LIGHTS
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753932[/URL]

AND MYABE THIS FILTER
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_AquariumPage~PageAlias~filters_tom_aquatics_oscar_enterprises_rapids_mini_canister_filter_c_80.ht ml[/URL]

WITH THIS SKIMMER
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4392+4400&pcatid=4400[/URL]

I AM JUST DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH AND READING BEFORE I BUY ANYTHING.

THANKS

[sassafrass]

Depending on what you want to keep compact flourescents will provide the least amount of light and so you will be able to keep only those corals whose light requirements are the least demanding especially in a tall tank

[Juruense]

The 20 gallon tall is a poor choice, the best tank form factor is two cubes side by side.

For example:
36x18x18
48x24x24
60x30x30

[biggyal66]

the 20 gallon tall was given to me for free so I cant complain too much. I just thought I would keep some zoo's and maybe some small feathers and maybe some other small creatures

[sassafrass]

Something to consider is the tank is by far the least expensive piece of equipment in your system.Kind of like someone giving you a set of tires that will only fit a Porsche.

[cveverly]

The tank will work just not as efficient as other tanks. In my opinion, for softies and dusters it will be fine.

I would pass on that skimmer. Forget the canister filter.

Consider a light like this. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13822+16770&pcatid=16770

I am not a fan of this skimmer either but I feel it is a better choice. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4392+13924&pcatid=13924

On a 20 gallon tank you may not NEED a skimmer. If you follow a strict regiment of water changes you can get by without a skimmer.

Get a couple good powerheads like these. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4585+15955&pcatid=15955

Keep your bio-load minimal and you should have a nice nano tank.


BTW, sassafrass has a great analogy. The tank is the cheapest part.

[fender4string]

By having a tank that is tall you need more powerful lighting to reach deeper in the tank. Also by sacrificing overall length to height, you further restrict the types of species of fish that you can keep as there is less room for them to swim (laterally). Just FYI :)

[fender4string]

But since you only want corals and dusters and it was free screw it! Even though the tank may be on the cheap side as far as equipment goes it's still one less expense in a very expensive hobby (as I'm finding out :( ). For your purposes why not keep it?

[Fish_wiz2]

I agree to the last three posts :D

[biggyal66]

I DONT KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO DO YET I WILL DO ALOT MORE RESEARCH AND READING, THEN DECIDE. THANKS

[biggyal66]

I AM STILL GOING TO KEEP THE TANK BUT I WILL UPGRADE THE LIGHTING TO KEEP THE CORAL AND OTHER CREATURES ALIVE AND WELL. THANKS

[Fish_wiz2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13699616#post13699616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by biggyal66
I AM STILL GOING TO KEEP THE TANK BUT I WILL UPGRADE THE LIGHTING TO KEEP THE CORAL AND OTHER CREATURES ALIVE AND WELL. THANKS

Be careful with the caps lock because here on RC, it can mean yelling

[biggyal66]

Sorry my bad I didnt know people were that worried about caps or not. But thanks

[biggyal66]

I am getting the Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel - up to 125 Gallon skimmer from a guy in my town that will sell it to me for cheap. I think that it will do well in the small system that I have.

[Juruense]

I have a Coralife SuperSkimmer needle wheel on my 40 breeder and it works great!

[biggyal66]

what is the best heater and test kit availbe for the price?

[Fish_wiz2]

heaters you dont want to skimp so do jager, worth the money for the quality. test kits too, so do salifert or elos for main but instant ocean and API do fine for standard tests

[Juruense]

I am a huge fan of Ebo Jager and have been using them for decades. However due to the fact that they are not fully submersible I am not sure if I will buy another...

[biggyal66]

Which is better to be full submersible or not? I was thinking about 2-- 50 watt heaters for my 20 gallon

[biggyal66]

check out my gallery for my new items that I bought this weekend. SKimmer, salt and refractometer.

[biggyal66]

Does anyone have the instructions for the"Coralife Needle Wheel and Venturi Super Skimmer" so I can use them. Im not really sure where to hook up where. THanks

[Juruense]

I do not have instructions but I have some advice. I had to make a custome bubble diffuser for mine I would suggest you do the same. When I get home tonight I will post pictures of my diffuser. You may be able to find a PDF of the instructions online...

[biggyal66]

yeah I did some looking and found a 10 page instruction book I printed off. Thanks That sounds like a cool idea cant wait to see.