Possible upgrade?

[Tacos377]

I have all the equipment to upgrade to a 20 long tank except the actual tank and lighting... I looked on amazon and saw that the finnex ray 2 was at 30 inches and the finnex fugeray as well. Which would you recommend? I have never had trouble with algea in my current tank and already have a DIY co2 system that works great. Any suggestions are appreciated!!!

 

[Tacos377]

Also has anyone seen a rimless style for a 20 gallon tank. I've always liked rimless tanks...

 

[Billbug68]

Check out the mr aqua rimless tanks. They don't have a 20 long, though.

Edit: They have a 17.4 which is 24 x 12 x 14.4

 

[Tacos377]

Thanks. I love your tank!!! How big is yours?

 

[Billbug68]

Thanks. I love your tank!!! How big is yours?

Thank you. Mine is the 12 gallon long. 35.4 x 8.3 x 9.4.

 

[Tacos377]

That is very long... Lololololol. So would you recommend the fugeray or the ray 2?!!

 

[Billbug68]

That is very long... Lololololol. So would you recommend the fugeray or the ray 2?!!

Depends on what you're going for.

Low to medium light, go with fugeray, high light with co2, go with the ray 2.

 

[Tacos377]

I already have a pretty efficient DIY co2 system so I am going to go with ray 2 probably. I should get the daylight version, right?

 

[aqua_chem]

...trouble with algea in my current tank and already have a DIY co2 system that works great...

Sounds like it's time to upgrade to pressurized CO2, especially if you're looking to put money somewhere in your setup.

 

[Billbug68]

I already have a pretty efficient DIY co2 system so I am going to go with ray 2 probably. I should get the daylight version, right?

Yes, the daylight.

 

[Tacos377]

Isn't diy just as efficient for small tanks? I'll certainly consider it if its not.

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

Well two things... I have 2 Finnex Ray2's and love the lighting! LED efficiency rocks!

Secondly, I run 3 tanks with co2 and 2 are pressurized and 1 is DIY. The DIY is on my 12g and it does fine. DIY, from how I understand it, is best in tanks <20g. But I think you can give it a shot and if you start running into algae problems, start supplementing it by dosing with Excel (or generic Excel, Glutaraldehyde). But IMO, if you can invest in a pressurized system down the road, it makes things a lot easier. Aquatek makes some pretty decent co2 systems at a reasonable price.

 

[Tacos377]

Ok!!! I may look into pressurized. However, is there a tank that has a standard sized length between 10 and 20 gallons? Anyone know?

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

I think Billbug's suggestion earlier with a 17g Mr. Aqua is perfect. Its rimless and at 24" long, you'll find plenty of options for lighting --with the Finnex Ray 2 as one of them.

 

[Tacos377]

Yeah that actually sounds pretty good now that I think about it.

 

[Tacos377]

Also, if I already have 20 pounds of eco complete in my 10 gallon could I just cap that with sand for the upgrade?

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

I think the finer sand will just work its way under the eco complete. You don't like EC on its own?

 

[Tacos377]

No I was just wondering if 20 pounds of eco would be enough for say a 20 gallon long is all. (I try to do things on the cheaper side)

 

[Brian_Nano12g]

You might need more unless you want a really low substrate that's flat. I personally like to add slopes to add more dimension -- having at least 2" in height of lowest part of my substrate to 3 to 4" on the higher slopes. You can either buy more EC or even Floramax, which is the same thing as EC but without the extra water weight. Last time I checked, the local Petsmart had Floramax on sale for $10 for 12 lbs. I think one more bag would be good. Or if you're feeling like being creative, you can create a two-toned (non-planted) beach area with sand, and the planted part of the tank would be the EC. That way, you wouldn't need as much EC or sand. It would also look better than a layered substrate look, which gives the appearance of cake layers...LOL

You can do something like the example on this page:
Minnesota Fish Keepers Forum • View topic - Rescaping 55 gallon

 

[Tacos377]

So you would recommend two bags of EC or what I have with some floramax and beach sand? I like the sound of the last option though.