20 gallon setup....

[frmkpw13]

ok heres what i got:
20 gallon tank
penguin 125 bio wheel filter
carib-sea aragonite seafloor sand (3in deep in tank)
heater
10lbs of lava rock
10lbs of live rock
regular light/hood on top of tank
1.024 salinity
no test kits as of yet and which do i need?
also am i doomed before i even begin?
i already have 3 blue leg crabs a clown fish and 3 snails and all doing fine. im about a month into it and im doing a 5 gallon r/o water change next week. plan on buying a 2x65watt PC light soon and probably gonna take out the lava rock and add 10 more lbs of live rock. should i start over and go live sand and live rock and let it cycle? i didnt know about cycling when i started. should i take out the peguin filter and just use a protein skimmer? i have know idea but ive been reading up a storm on here but i need direct knowledge from u guys. thnx, LOST in Birmingham.....

 

[sweetdawn]

if your tank has cycled only add small amounts of live rock at a time so you do not go into another cycle

 

[airforceb2]

Hello and welcome to the boards!!!
Your tank has most likely already cycled or is almost done. First thing to do is get some test kits. The Saltwater Master Liquid Test Kit by Aquarium Pharmeceuticals is really good for the price.
Your sand is most likely live since you have LR in there...it seeds the aragonite sand.
Keep your filter in there. It has beneficial bacterial colonies on the biowheel that helps keep your nitrates down. You should reallly look into a skimmer though. They are highly recommended on saltwater tanks. I would suggest the CPR Bak Pak for that small of a tank.

 

[frmkpw13]

thnx.. ill get a small skimmer and that test kit... il probably add a few more small pieces of live rock. anything else i need to do or get for it? any input is much appreciated im a month into this and am learning new things everyday on this forums. should i get anymore cleanup crew? 3 blue legs and 3 snails so far.. wanting to get 1 or 2 cleaner shrimp.

 

[brolik1]

I also have a 20 gallon since may and at first it was back breaking but with some advice Im doing alot better.You should look into getting LR and LS and a skimmer.I have a seaclone 100 and no filter.I have a aquaclear 50 filter but I modded into a HOB refuge to keep my nitrates down to 0 ppm being that in smaller tanks nitrates become more of a problem,and also run carbon inside the filter cartridge from the powerhead.