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I want to start a 20g saltwater tank | |
wheezo Fish Addict Posts: 675 Kudos: 293 Votes: 1 Registered: 22-Jul-2003 | Hello, I would like to start my first saltwater tank. I have a 20g high tank that would look nice if I made some sort of reef tank. A freshwater tank would not look too good with that size tank. So... how do I start? What would I need to buy? I am a beginner with saltwater and have no idea where to start. Thanks. Henry |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
dthurs Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4340 Kudos: 4170 Votes: 529 Registered: 18-Feb-2003 | A 20gal reef tank is a bit small. Bigger is better. You will need a heater, powerhead(s) and a lot of light. You would be better off starting with a FOWLR tank and then work up to a reef over time. Dan |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
webbstock Big Fish Posts: 394 Kudos: 233 Votes: 3 Registered: 05-Mar-2003 | Definately go with the FOWLR first. 20 gallon is small, but I have a 20 SW that has been great. Just keep an eye out on water levels. |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
wheezo Fish Addict Posts: 675 Kudos: 293 Votes: 1 Registered: 22-Jul-2003 | hello, what is a FOWLR? |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
ACIDRAIN Moderator Posts: 3162 Kudos: 1381 Votes: 416 Registered: 14-Jan-2002 | FOWLR=Fish Only With Live Rock There is always a bigger fish... |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
dthurs Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4340 Kudos: 4170 Votes: 529 Registered: 18-Feb-2003 | Basicly it's a fish tank with live rock. The live rock provides the biological filteration. Dan |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
Tangov559 Hobbyist Posts: 107 Kudos: 25 Votes: 0 Registered: 15-Feb-2004 | If the live rocks are the biological filter, would you need a regular filter? |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
kamikaze76 Hobbyist Posts: 63 Kudos: 62 Votes: 69 Registered: 24-Aug-2004 | You don't necessarily need a filter with appropriate amount of live rock, however, some type of water movement is recommended, which can be through a powerhead or with a small setup like yours, a HOB filter. A protein skimmer will help reduce the water changes. On larger setups, the use of a sump/refugium is often recommended. John |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 | |
malawianpro Fingerling Posts: 48 Kudos: 29 Votes: 0 Registered: 11-Nov-2004 | Yea, ur still gonna want a skimmer on that 20g, it will benefit ur livestock more. about 20lbs of LR, somesort of powerfilter like AC, in case u need to run carbon or something, protein skimmer, and use RO water that is best way to go versus tap. I plan on doing similiar setup with my new 30g pedistal stand...Go with cured LR, it will cycle ur tank faster and prolly would only need one bag of live sand with that small of tank. |
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:20 |
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