OK i want to do a SW tank

[johnpeezy]

And I can get a sump with dry filtration, and a skimmer built in for
299 dollars (but its free because I voulenter for it)

anyway I was thinikng of trying to do a 20 gallon low light coral tank with about 30 or 40 lbs of live rock in it.

The sump is rated at 400 GPH

do you think that would be too much of a water cycle or does it really even matter

I would be sitting at about 20 tank cycles of water per hour. without anyother type of filtration and I would still need some powerheads.

I have like a 150 w 50/50 twin tube compact flourescent light fixture as well.

think I could make this stuff work?

[Emg]

Of course you can John.

Water movement is really important in a reef tank so I don't think the GPH would be too much of an issue....but you would have to think about the coral you put in the tank and where. Some like high flow, others low or medium. I've seen a big improvement in my 50 when I switched from 2 AC 70s to 2 AC 110 HOBs.

I know nothing about sumps or the plumbing that goes along with them since I've never run one. I guess someone else will have to give you info there.

As far as lighting....I think 150 CF 50/50 will be good for enough low light type soft corals to make an interesting scape with. I started out with a 40watt NO flourescent light fixture on my first 20long reef. I had some shrooms, clavularia and star polyps in it that did well enough on that.

It's a start John.....I'd do a 20long rather than 20tall if that's the size you want to start with. It will help with the lighting to have a shallower tank. If there's any way you can up that to a 40 or 50 breeder size tank...I think you'd like that a bit more....but if not then there's nothing wrong with starting with a 20. Have fun and keep us up on the progress !

How bout starting a chronicle thread ?

[johnpeezy]

Well I'm still in the debate phase of the whole project. I'm not even exactly sure if/when this will happen.

my first step was to ask here about the sump/skimmer package
next is to clear it with my boss.

if that goes well then atleast I will have it and I can decide what to do from there.

[OrionGirl]

JMO, but I wouldn't run a wet/dry. No need, particularly in a setup with mostly corals. All the foods for your filter feeders get caught up in sponges. However, you can use this as a sump, with no bio-balls or filter media, and get the skimmer as a bonus. Do you know a brand name?

I agree on the shape, and bigger really is easier in SW.

[johnpeezy]

I can find out the brand name maybe tommorow or the next day. I'm pretty sure its a custom acrylic thing. but I will find out

[johnpeezy]

Oh yeah, and all I REALLY want in the tank is soft corals and maybe one fish
(that won't last long *stares at twelve fish tanks*)

[OrionGirl]

MTS is nefarious.

[johnpeezy]

Ok so due some unbenounced miracle a 20 gallon long all glass aquarium mysteriously appeared in my house (after I carried it upstairs from my car).

now I have the option of using a 20 standard or a long. (the compact flourescent fixture fits the standard perfectly meaing standard=cheaper keep in mind college student please )

Do you think with a 20 gallon tank and an insanley overpowered sump/skimmer/thingy (brand coming soon)

would I have more success with a coral +1 fish setup
or a FOWLR w/ 1-2/2-3 fish

also I voulenteer for a tropical pet store now so I can get permixed salt water AND RO water for free, which route do you think would be better for a noob saltwater guy?

I know a 20 gallon is going to be tough enough as it is, but I'm really limited for space (and weight now *cringe* 220+ gallons circulating on the top floor)
and cash.

I want to treat this as a learning experience but at the same time I don't want to kill anything including the pocketbook and floor.

so my tank size HAS to be a 20 gallon but I do have the option of a long or a standard.

[OrionGirl]

The long will be better for corals, because the light will be able to get to the corals more readily.

A lot will depend on what fish you want. You'll want the liverock either way, so it's a matter of deciding if you want corals or just the hitchhikers. And, you can start out with just live rock and one or two small fish, and then add corals as you go...So to me, no real decision has to be made right now.

for the water...Um. I prefer to mix my own, but I have the space to do so. RO will help, depending on the quality of the tap water you have...So either or. You'll need a good source for FW, as well, either way, since it's required for topping off the tank to account for evaporation.