20 gal saltwater setup?

[HalfMoon B]

I have consolidated all of my freshwater tanks into a larger 40 gal breeder, so I now have a spare 20 gal, and a few others (hospital tanks is my plan)
how plausible is it to have a 20 gallon saltwater set up for only two clownfish?
Is it even worth seting up a sump/refugium on a tank that size, or would diligent water/tank maintenance be better?
TIA!

 

[huma-huma]

Its def worth it, even for 2 clownfish. With a 20g diligent pwc's and testing will control the parameters, but a sump/refugium will make life easier and also stabilize things. If you have the tank, I'd do a sump/refugium

 

[HalfMoon B]

I do have a spare 10 gallon, but that would be DIY and I have little knowledge/understanding of a refugium. This would be my first venture into the salty world...

 

[huma-huma]

Refugiums are cake work, I have 2-10 gallon rubbermaids setup for my 125, you'd prob be best splitting the 10g in 75/25 and using the bigger chamber for your filtration and then smaller chamber for return pump

 

[HalfMoon B]

I will start looking at how-to's for that then!!

 

[huma-huma]

actually they are prob 15's now that I think about it

 

[carey]

In all honesty, I probably wouldn't bother with a sump on a 20g. I'm also of the quicker and easier way to do things. LOL

A really good hob filter and weekly water changes should keep your water in check.

You'll also have to decide if you want corals as the lighting can blow a budget real quick.

I also don't think you need a skimmer, again, pwc's done each week will export the nutrients out.

 

[HalfMoon B]

I wasn't planning on water changes. I change water EVERY Sunday, if not Thursday as well. Considering I have almost no knowledge of Simpson at this time, a good HOB and a powerhead for current should work right?
Live rock only for now, might upgrade to lights and corals later on....
It's a 24" tank so I could feasibly get a zoomed fixture for maybe 70$, which would put me at 4-6 wpg, but I am limited in my coral knowledge too.
I would be tearing down, cleaning, setting up and and the cycling the 20 gal before I even added the fish, so I have month to research and learn. A LOT.

 

[huma-huma]

Hey he could do what I did on my fw 20l, I put a rena smartfilter 55 on it, a bit biggewr than needed? Yes, do I have to do weekly water changes? Nope

 

[carey]

Heres a great 4 bulb fixture which will allow you to keep most corals:

2Ft/4Bulbs fixture

can't beat the price.

And yes, all you need is some live rock and some sand. One powerhead should be enough, like a koralia 425.

Water Pumps & Wavemakers: Hydor Koralia Nano 240 & 425

Thats just for some starters

 

[carey]

Hey he could do what I did on my fw 20l, I put a rena smartfilter 55 on it, a bit biggewr than needed? Yes, do I have to do weekly water changes? Nope

Youre not serious right? I have a fluval fx5 on my 125 but I still have to do weekly water changes. Thats the only way to get the excess nutrients out, unless maybe if you a heavily planted tank.....

 

[HalfMoon B]

That is pretty much exactly what I was looking at! Get OUT of my head Carey!!
I know I won't be able to house and anemone in that tank. But if all goes will in time, I might upgrade to a fairly large sw dt.
Just depends on bulb setup, 3 white 1 blue should be more than enough for corals if I am not mistaken...

 

[carey]

LOL. See, nice and simple.

I had an anenome under a 4 bulb system and it did quite well. I did return it cause my tank 29g, was too small for it and I always worried it would eat my fish. LOL

 

[HalfMoon B]

I knew starting out that 20 gal was too small for something like that
So for now, just some live rock and some clowns. I may even wait on the refugium until I see if I want to upgrade to a much larger tank

 

[HalfMoon B]

Oh lord... 3 articles about getting a new tank setup and my head is already buzzing and my brains is full...

 

[huma-huma]

I meant I have a smartfilter 55 on my 20g fw tank... Haven't had issues yet. (Knock on wood)
On my 125 I have an emperor 400, 100lbs of lr and a 30g refuge . Holding stable

 

[huma-huma]

Oh lord... 3 articles about getting a new tank setup and my head is already buzzing and my brains is full...

This site will do that to ya, when I first joined, I spent hours upon hours sifting through this site, for days. Ultimately endin with a throbbing head and sore eyes just take it one step at a time it'll work out great

 

[HalfMoon B]

Thoughts in this canister for the setup?

 

[carey]

Have you looked at the aquaclears? i think that one you linked might not be enough for your 20g.

 

[huma-huma]

I would personally go with 1 size bigger. If there's one rated for 30-60 gallons, only because it'll make life a bit easier