20-gallon reef tank

[Discus1919]

Hello everyone I need info about setting up a 20 gallon reef tank and how much I will spend buying all the materials needed.
I'm looking to keep low light corals.

 

[carey]

Welcome to the forum!

here are some excellent articles to get you started

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f14/stock-list-and-tips-for-maintaining-your-sw-tank-73477.html

Articles

 

[Discus1919]

I know all the basics I'm looking at how much I will spend by setting it up, like the price for a skimmer, live rock, sand, salt, I already have a 20 pre drilled tank w/ sump.

 

[carey]

Well salt is pretty basic, I pay $48 for a 200g box, sand you'll need about 20-30 lbs. You can use aragonite from your LFS or even pool filter sand like I did. It's $5 for 50lbs at home depot.

As far as rock, I would add mostly base rock at about $2.50 a lb and some live rock for whatever the price is near you, sometimes as much as 6.99 a lb I've seen.

On such a small tank you don't necessarily need a skimmer if you keep up on your weekly water changes and take care of the tank. I'm running a 29 cube now with no skimmer and ran a regular 29g tank without one for awhile as well.

You'll need ro/di water, so you can either buy that from your lfs or supermarket water machine or get a unit of your own for about $70. If you are buying a hyrdometer for salinity you might want to invest the extra $15 and get a refractrometer. Much more reliable and accurate. I will assume you know that you need a test kit for your water, preferably a liquid one as they are also more accurate than the strips.

If theres anything specific you need just ask, I can usually find a link for it.

 

[Discus1919]

Thanks, I already have everything on mind.

 

[Discus1919]

Carey do u think having a pair of clows, yellow watchman w/ pistol shrimp, blue mandarin n green (male n female), n other small goby will be ok to have in a 20 g tank?? Or a 29 g will be best??

 

[slitherbomb]

Carey do u think having a pair of clows, yellow watchman w/ pistol shrimp, blue mandarin n green (male n female), n other small goby will be ok to have in a 20 g tank?? Or a 29 g will be best??

Way too many for a 20g. Also, I don't think having a mandarin, let alone 2 mandarins in a tank is a good idea. They only eat copepods so you need a lot of LR and a refugium so they have a constant and steady food supply.

 

[Discus1919]

Ok so I guess I'll go w/ the green mandarin cos they r usually bred in captivity n they do better, I guess I'll go w/ my 29 g.

 

[carey]

I have an ORA blue mandarin and am having issues with feeding. it is not a guarantee that they will eat prepared foods, as I'm learning. Luckily I have another tank to put her in but I for sure wouldnt recommend one to someone just starting out.

In a 29g you can have your pair of clown, the yellow watchman and probably 2 other fish as long as they dont get huge or anything.

I had in my 29g a pair of clown, a royal gramma and a lawnmower blenny.
In my current 29g cube I have a goby, scooter, yellow watchman and a blue mandarin. If and when I move the mandarin I ma add a pair of clowns. But thats even pushing it a bit.

Hope that was helpful.

 

[Discus1919]

Thank u n I guess I'll set up a 29 gallon, I was thinking about doing 20-30 % water change weekly, can't wait to set it up