Advice for 20 Gal

[jtmaclain]

Right now I have a 20 gallon that has been set up for about 9 months. At the moment it has a whisper 40 filter and a powerhead going. As for lighting I have a corallife 24" with 130 watts. I have about 20lbs of live rock with a small colony of brown zoos on a small piece of rock. As for livestock I have 2 peppermint shrimp, 1 coral banded shrimp and some red tipped hermits. (No fish yet). I also currently have a crushed coral/live sand bed. I bought 40 lbs of live sand to replace this as I want a deep sand bed. The question that I have is this: I just got a CPR hang on refugium (medium) and a seaclone 100 skimmer that I have not installed yet as I am waiting to change out my crushed coral and I also ordered an additional 12lbs of live rock. If I replace my substrate, add more live rock, and add the refugium will this cause my tank to recycle? I also ordered a featherduster, and a green ricordea shroom. Also can anyone provide me with a good layout to provide better circulation with my equipment, I dont want any dead spots? Also where I should put my different corals in regards to circulation?
Yes I know this was long, so thank you for any responses!!!!!!!!!

 

[wax32]

The sand and refugium won't cause a recycle but the rock will unless you cure it first in a seperate container. To do this make up saltwater and put it in there with a powerhead and change the water whenever ammonia gets to 1.0 or worse. You will go through some saltwater this way, but you will have minimal die off on the rock and you can add it to your display faster.
As far as power head placement, you just have to play with it.

 

[jtmaclain]

thanks!!!!!!!!!the rock is pre-cured, dont know if this makes a difference, I got it from this site. Do you think I will have enough flow with my current equipment? Also what should I put into the refugium in regards to livestock(hermits, snails,clam)? I am also hoping that I will have enough room for the refugium and the skimmer on the back of my tank. I dont plan on using the whisper 40 anymore. Any ideas on how to make it fit or other options?

 

[wax32]

It won't be cured by the time it gets to you. I'd do the bucket thing. You probably want at least 2 power heads, one on either end of the tank. Don't put anything but some sand and Chaetomorpha algae in the refugium. Dunno how big those things are but I hope they fit for ya.

 

[jtmaclain]

thanks, got it all set up today. I am having trouble figuring out where to put my skimmer. The refugium takes up almost the whole back of my tank. On a side note I had a bit of a hair algea problem and I am wondering if the skimmer will help to get rid of it? I have already been cutting down on hours of lighting and feedings. I also just got an emrald crab, hoping he will eat the last little bit of algea that is around my polyps.