AquaRank.com

FishProfiles.com Message Forums

faq | etiquette | register | my account | search | mailbox
# FishProfiles.com Message Forums
L# Marine Aquaria
 L# Marine Setup
  L# I want to start a 20g saltwater tank
 New Topic
SubscribeI want to start a 20g saltwater tank
wheezo
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 675
Kudos: 293
Votes: 1
Registered: 22-Jul-2003
male usa
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
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile AIM PM Edit Report 
dthurs
**********
---------------
---------------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4340
Kudos: 4170
Votes: 529
Registered: 18-Feb-2003
male usa
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
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile Homepage AIM Yahoo PM Edit Report 
webbstock
*********
-----
Big Fish
Posts: 394
Kudos: 233
Votes: 3
Registered: 05-Mar-2003
male usa
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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile PM Edit Report 
wheezo
-----
Fish Addict
Posts: 675
Kudos: 293
Votes: 1
Registered: 22-Jul-2003
male usa
hello, what is a FOWLR?
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile AIM PM Edit Report 
ACIDRAIN
 
---------------
---------------
Moderator
Posts: 3162
Kudos: 1381
Votes: 416
Registered: 14-Jan-2002
male usa us-ohio
FOWLR=Fish Only With Live Rock


_____________________________________________________________

There is always a bigger fish...
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile PM Edit Report 
dthurs
**********
---------------
---------------
Ultimate Fish Guru
Posts: 4340
Kudos: 4170
Votes: 529
Registered: 18-Feb-2003
male usa
Basicly it's a fish tank with live rock. The live rock provides the biological filteration.



Dan
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile Homepage AIM Yahoo PM Edit Report 
Tangov559
-----
Hobbyist
Posts: 107
Kudos: 25
Votes: 0
Registered: 15-Feb-2004
male usa
If the live rocks are the biological filter, would you need a regular filter?
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile PM Edit Report 
kamikaze76
*********
-----
Hobbyist
Posts: 63
Kudos: 62
Votes: 69
Registered: 24-Aug-2004
male usa
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
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile PM Edit Report 
malawianpro
******
-----
Fingerling
Posts: 48
Kudos: 29
Votes: 0
Registered: 11-Nov-2004
male usa
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.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:20Profile AIM MSN Yahoo PM Edit Report 
New Topic
Jump to: 

The views expressed on this page are the implied opinions of their respective authors.
Under no circumstances do the comments on this page represent the opinions of the staff of FishProfiles.com.

FishProfiles.com Forums, version 11.0
Mazeguy Smilies