Tank Set up

Arrowboy · 12-06-2006, 04:04 PM

Im going to get my 20 gal. set up after christmas
Im thinking maybe two clowns ( don't worry, no anemones) and maybe some mushrooms, what do I need for the best outcome?

What Kind of lights-
Filter-
Skimmer-
Any mushrooms that are hardier than others?
Sand or rock?
Live or regular?

And be specific-
Anything else I need to know before I start?

Thanks

Dragon Wrasse · 12-06-2006, 04:37 PM

Wow...that's an open question....FOWLR tank....Canister filter....burlin sump...wet/dry....DSB w/LR.....Reef with Softies...Reef with SPS/LPS....plenum....bare bottom......

There is no "Best Way" to set up a tank only "Better Ways" to find out what is best for you...you need to know exactly what kind of live stock you are going to try and keep and then try and create the best possible environment for that live stock.....Research....Research and then more Research.....

boozeman · 12-06-2006, 07:22 PM

just two clowns in a 20...they will be very happy

you won't need strong lighting for shrooms...and with just two fish your filtration need not be overly complicated either

sasquatch · 12-06-2006, 07:37 PM

Well the good news is its a 20 so budget wont be a killjoy, for lights look at coralifes hang on hqi, we have this on our 30 gal and mushies love it,filter to me would be live rock from as many different sources as possible for diversity,fine sand the rock will life it up for you, a good skimmer probably 100 gal cap hob?? a good heaterand rics are expensive. Steve

PhilOlsen · 12-07-2006, 10:02 PM

The most important thing will be a good skimmer, if you have 1-1 1/2 lbs of live rock and a deep sand bed that will cover the bio filtration so a external filter will not be needed. As for lighting you can go with compacts if you only intend to keep mushrooms, polyps etc. it will provide enough light without the cost of halide, but dont cut corners on the skimmer, it will be the most important part of your tank, a ramora or cpr bak pak would be good for a 20.

aquaman3680 · 12-07-2006, 10:15 PM

What Kind of lights- This really depends, If you just want to do regular mushrooms then compacts are fine, but if you decide that you want to go with rics, espcially yumas, then you need halides.
Filter- I would do a small top fin or aqua clear just to filter out some particulates that will develop in the water
Skimmer- This will be one of the most important pieces of equipment that you buy. You can go with a remora. They are excellent skimmers and will do a 20 gallon tank fine
Any mushrooms that are hardier than others? Mushrooms are hardier than rics in low light. But they dont look as cool as rics in my opinion. Are there any other corals that you plan on keeping, ie. zoas, green stars, yellow pollyps ect.?
Sand or rock? I would do about 30-40lbs. of a fine grain sand, and rock about 1.5 lbs per gallon or more if you feel the need
Live or regular? I would deffinatly go with live rock and all live sand if you can afford it
Anything else I need to know before I start? Fair warning this hobby is addicting. Welcome to the hobby.

Arrowboy · 12-07-2006, 11:00 PM

Are there any other corals that you plan on keeping, ie. zoas, green stars, yellow pollyps ect.?
I'am completely open at this point and I dont mind investing in good lights
What do you think I would be sucessful keeping? (names please)
I just dont want to spend alot of money on coral that will just die

Any suggestions would help alot

Thanks

12-06-2006, 04:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Arrowboy Tunicate Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 8 View Gallery Karma Komment	Tank Set up Im going to get my 20 gal. set up after christmas Im thinking maybe two clowns ( don't worry, no anemones) and maybe some mushrooms, what do I need for the best outcome? What Kind of lights- Filter- Skimmer- Any mushrooms that are hardier than others? Sand or rock? Live or regular? And be specific- Anything else I need to know before I start? Thanks

12-06-2006, 04:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dragon Wrasse Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 991 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Tank Set up Wow...that's an open question....FOWLR tank....Canister filter....burlin sump...wet/dry....DSB w/LR.....Reef with Softies...Reef with SPS/LPS....plenum....bare bottom...... There is no "Best Way" to set up a tank only "Better Ways" to find out what is best for you...you need to know exactly what kind of live stock you are going to try and keep and then try and create the best possible environment for that live stock.....Research....Research and then more Research..... __________________ *Member "Crabs Are Evil" Society* "A wise man learns more from a foolish question, then a fool learns from a wise answer" - Bruce Lee _____________________________ 75 gal SeaClear II Reef Tank (softy tank) - Coralife 125 Super Skimmer - Little Giant 2-MDQX-SC - Angstrom 2537 UV 15W - HOB Refugium - Eheim Pro 2228 - Red Sea Wave Maker w/Maxi-Jet 600 (X4) - 100 lbs Live Sand (DSB) - 100 lbs Live Rock - 260W PC lighting - 470nm lunar lights (X15) - AquaController II Custom 75 gal Starphire glass tank (SPS/LPS tank) - Custom 24 gal Refugium - Tuzne Wave box - JBJ Chiller - 390W PC lighting - 175W MH (X2) - Knop Cal. Reactor - AquaController 3 Pro - Aqua C Skimmer - Phosban Reactor - 18W Turbo-twist UV sterilizer - Sump - Sony Computer 5 gal Nano Hospital Tank - Eheim 2213 - Red Sea Prizm Skimmer - Live sand - Live Rock - Built in Refugium - 36W PC lighting

12-06-2006, 07:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Tank Set up just two clowns in a 20...they will be very happy you won't need strong lighting for shrooms...and with just two fish your filtration need not be overly complicated either __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

12-06-2006, 07:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,917 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Tank Set up Well the good news is its a 20 so budget wont be a killjoy, for lights look at coralifes hang on hqi, we have this on our 30 gal and mushies love it,filter to me would be live rock from as many different sources as possible for diversity,fine sand the rock will life it up for you, a good skimmer probably 100 gal cap hob?? a good heaterand rics are expensive. Steve __________________ castawayreefers.com

12-07-2006, 10:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
PhilOlsen Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Glendale Hts. Illinois (Chicago transplant to humor my wife) Posts: 646 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Tank Set up The most important thing will be a good skimmer, if you have 1-1 1/2 lbs of live rock and a deep sand bed that will cover the bio filtration so a external filter will not be needed. As for lighting you can go with compacts if you only intend to keep mushrooms, polyps etc. it will provide enough light without the cost of halide, but dont cut corners on the skimmer, it will be the most important part of your tank, a ramora or cpr bak pak would be good for a 20.

12-07-2006, 10:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
aquaman3680 Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 2,136 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Tank Set up What Kind of lights- This really depends, If you just want to do regular mushrooms then compacts are fine, but if you decide that you want to go with rics, espcially yumas, then you need halides. Filter- I would do a small top fin or aqua clear just to filter out some particulates that will develop in the water Skimmer- This will be one of the most important pieces of equipment that you buy. You can go with a remora. They are excellent skimmers and will do a 20 gallon tank fine Any mushrooms that are hardier than others? Mushrooms are hardier than rics in low light. But they dont look as cool as rics in my opinion. Are there any other corals that you plan on keeping, ie. zoas, green stars, yellow pollyps ect.? Sand or rock? I would do about 30-40lbs. of a fine grain sand, and rock about 1.5 lbs per gallon or more if you feel the need Live or regular? I would deffinatly go with live rock and all live sand if you can afford it Anything else I need to know before I start? Fair warning this hobby is addicting. Welcome to the hobby. __________________ Check it out! The 90 gallon Road Trip

12-07-2006, 11:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
Arrowboy Tunicate Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 8 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Tank Set up Are there any other corals that you plan on keeping, ie. zoas, green stars, yellow pollyps ect.? I'am completely open at this point and I dont mind investing in good lights What do you think I would be sucessful keeping? (names please) I just dont want to spend alot of money on coral that will just die Any suggestions would help alot Thanks

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