20gal Reef Planning

[Bettafanatic]

Well this isn't the first time I've planned a reef aquarium. I was planning on a 30g a long time ago (some of you might remember my thread) but I just don't have the space for one that big. However, I have a perfect spot for a 20 long aquarium, and I think it'd be a good size for me just to introduce myself to reefs and see if I like it or not. My fowlr is starting to bore me, so I think around Christmastime I'll start off this aquarium. However, I'd like to start planning now.

So currently in my 10g fowlr I have a purple firefish, a baby clown goby, two scarlet skunk shrimp, a blood fire shrimp, two nassarius snails (however they've been dying lately. I used to have more ), and a hermit crab. What can I add? I'd like to get more nassarius snails and maybe some cerith snails, and also something to take care of algae. And can I add a pair of ocellaris clowns as well? I'd also like a lot of invertebrates, so shrimp, snail, and crab suggestions are appreciated.

As for corals, I just want to keep it simple. Zoanthids, mushroom corals, and maybe some other softies. Suggestions? I also want to keep favite brain corals. I've always admired it and would love to give it a try.

And my final question is supplies. Suggestions on lighting, filtration, and buffers are appreciated.

Hope I can get some help. Thanks!

 

[KevinM]

this is the light I just ordered for my 20g Reef build

Odyssea T5 Aquarium Lighting

it will give you enough light for most Med Light and lower corals from everything Ive read/asked already

Filter wise, you can add a HOB refugium but if you have enought Live Sand and Live Rock, with some power heads, you really dont need one in a 20g. With your PWC you should be ok, Im building one out of an old filter that I have laying around.

Hope that helps, Im not expert in SW but Im learning pretty fast as I set up mine.

 

[Bettafanatic]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[obscurereef]

I think a pair of clowns would be too much for your 10...And if you want a clownfish still, I think just one would be okay in a 20. You could get a cleaner shrimp..really great invert to have! Zoas, mushrooms, softies/leathers, and most LPS are easy to take care of. Trying to keep nitrates/phosphates, down, and temp and other parameters stable will be the main difference. Suggest trying out some zoas/mushroom/soft coral and see how that does for a little while then advance toward LPS. LPS corals don't need to be fed, but they grow faster when spot fed Good luck and keep us updated when you start!

 

[Bettafanatic]

Thanks a bunch. I might actually not start this tank. I have to see what happens. Hopefully I will soon.

 

[obscurereef]

If you don't start it are you going to get corals for your 10 gallon tank?

 

[Bettafanatic]

Hmm I might try it. My 10g is a pretty unstable tank alone though. I guess we'll see.