new 20 gallon stocking

[spencelee10]

I am currently in the planning stages of setting up a 20 gallon long reef aquarium. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice since this is my first saltwater tank. My current list for stocking is:
2 false perc clowns
1 firefish
1 midas blenny
1 yellow watchman goby w/ a pistol shrimp

Is this over stocked? If so what would b better? Will the firefish and watchman fight? Any help would b greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[spencelee10]

Also dumb question but are acting lights used as night lights and moonlight?

 

[Crepe]

Seems over stocked to me. I'd just go with a clown pair and just one of the other fish you listed. Be warned: firefish like to kamakazi the carpet. Oh, and that goby isn't probably going to work in a 20g...-grr I need to stop pressing save before I finish my thought- isn't going to work with that blenny.

 

[spencelee10]

Ok thanks. So 2 clowns and a firefish? Also any help on the lights question

 

[iDream]

Sounds like a good list, make sure to have a lid with no hole, or very small ones.

Firefish will honestly attempt at one time or another, never heard of one that didn't carpet surf in an open top tank

 

[spencelee10]

Will a glass top work so I can run t5 lighting

 

[iDream]

You can run T5s without one, most come with a splash guard for the bulbs. A netting for a top would be better so you could have gas exchange and not have a pH crash while still keeping the fish in the tank

 

[spencelee10]

Where can I get a good netting top or what could I use to make one

 

[iDream]

Possibly one of those reptile tank tops, or you could use something like bridal veil and build a wooden frame to have it sit on the inside of the rim flush so it's not visible unless looking at it from above

 

[spencelee10]

Are the reptile tops expensive and can I find one at the local petco?

 

[iDream]

You probably can find one at petco, not sure on price. Never had to purchase one

I'll look online and edit my post

Here are 2 I found right on the first page of reptile section, not too bad on price from what I was expecting:

http://www.petco.com/product/4357/PETCO-Heat-Resistant-Screen-Top.aspx?CoreCat=certona-_-ProductList_Reptile_1-_-PETCO%20Heat%20Resistant%20Screen%20Top-4357

http://www.petco.com/product/112185...Zilla Fresh Air Terrarium Screen Cover-112185

 

[spencelee10]

Alright thanks. Could u tell me the importance of actinic lighting and full spectrum lighting and how and when to use each

 

[iDream]

Actinics from what I know are more photosynthetically important to most corals, though it seems that corals usually come out most when the whites are used as well.

Most people will have their actinics come on an hour before, and an hour after, the whites are one. Some people use whites for 12hrs, others for 8 like myself. I use 8 because when I had them on for 12 I had nuisance algae growing too much, so find a good balance

 

[spencelee10]

So actinic lighting should not be left on all night? I was under the impression it was like moon lighting

 

[iDream]

You can, I have been because I don't have a timer and because I like the glow in my room. I've seen no ill effects so far, except maybe fish don't know when to sleep

 

[spencelee10]

So leaving them on all night won't cause any stress?

 

[iDream]

Not that I've seen, but I'm usually sleeping


Seriously though, besides possibly growin nuisance algae more often I don't think you'll have a problem besides having to replace them sooner

 

[spencelee10]

Alright sounds good. Thanks. One more question. Do I need a protein skimmer to start out with on this small of a tank

 

[iDream]

20G? No, not at all. Just keep up with PWCs and you'll export all the excess nutrients.

 

[spencelee10]

Should I change 5 gallons every two weeks?