Any 20g Long reefs out there?
- Thread starter sooners
- Start date
B
bonita69
Guest
go with the 55 and use the 20L for your sump!!
kholla12
Member
Not mine but here is one.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/281543/yerboys-new-20-long
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/281543/yerboys-new-20-long
chrgerondavins
Member
why does everyone insist on using really small tanks as saltwater aquariums you're just making life more difficult. ESPECIALLY with a reef tank you will A) have no room for anything, B) the slightest issue with water will demolish your entire tank, and C) your reef will suffer from lack of water quality, D) you will be adjusting chemicals more often in a smaller body of water.
Why not just jump the gun and buy a large tank? If you don't have the money, hold off. Because this isn't something you want to rush in to without money.
Why not just jump the gun and buy a large tank? If you don't have the money, hold off. Because this isn't something you want to rush in to without money.
scopus tang
Active Member
Originally Posted by ChrgerOnDavins
http:///forum/post/2478993
why does everyone insist on using really small tanks as saltwater aquariums you're just making life more difficult. ESPECIALLY with a reef tank you will A) have no room for anything, B) the slightest issue with water will demolish your entire tank, and C) your reef will suffer from lack of water quality, D) you will be adjusting chemicals more often in a smaller body of water.
Why not just jump the gun and buy a large tank? If you don't have the money, hold off. Because this isn't something you want to rush in to without money.
A. They don't know any better (cause they haven't done their research)
B. They think its going to be cheaper (usually its not)
C. They think its going to be less work (again, usually not)
D. They've been successful with a larger system and want the challenge of a trying to
successfully maintain a smaller system
That being said, I maintain several small SW Reef systems - some started out as frag tanks and evolved into reef tanks along the way. Some are really more of QT tank for those hitchhikers that show up on live rock and aren't wanted in the reef system but make an interesting small tank by themselves (kept pistol and mantis shrimp, decorator crabs, etc over the years), so I use them as an education tool in my classroom.
http:///forum/post/2478993
why does everyone insist on using really small tanks as saltwater aquariums you're just making life more difficult. ESPECIALLY with a reef tank you will A) have no room for anything, B) the slightest issue with water will demolish your entire tank, and C) your reef will suffer from lack of water quality, D) you will be adjusting chemicals more often in a smaller body of water.
Why not just jump the gun and buy a large tank? If you don't have the money, hold off. Because this isn't something you want to rush in to without money.
A. They don't know any better (cause they haven't done their research)
B. They think its going to be cheaper (usually its not)
C. They think its going to be less work (again, usually not)
D. They've been successful with a larger system and want the challenge of a trying to
successfully maintain a smaller system
That being said, I maintain several small SW Reef systems - some started out as frag tanks and evolved into reef tanks along the way. Some are really more of QT tank for those hitchhikers that show up on live rock and aren't wanted in the reef system but make an interesting small tank by themselves (kept pistol and mantis shrimp, decorator crabs, etc over the years), so I use them as an education tool in my classroom.
sooners
Member
Wow...I had no idea I would create such a firestorm. Just so you know, I already have a 55g reef. I'm going to dental school for 4 years and wasn't interested in breaking down my setup to move it 2 hours away. Also, I didn't want to end up with 2 big tanks when everything is said and done. That's why I wanted to try a smaller setup.
Thanks for the pics.
Thanks for the pics.
scopus tang
Active Member
So go for it. Use frags from your 55 to supply your 20L, when things don't do well in the 20L move them back into the 55. Biggest Issue I had with this tank was temperature. I was running PCs (sitting on top of the tank) and couldn't keep the temp down far enough to keep stuff alive. I've never tried T5s though I'm thinking about it for one of my systems. Another tank that I really like is the 29 extra long (same base size as a 55 gallon, but only as tall as the 20L). Makes a great reef system IMO - lots of light!
sooners
Member
OK. So my plan would be to try the 20g with PC lighting. I am worried about water quality because I haven't had a small tank before. I really only want zoas and 1-2 fish to keep the bioload down. I'm also going to use a skimmer but no sump/fuge. Weekly water changes. Please let me know if you think it's a bad idea.
scopus tang
Active Member
I've done it (but not with fish), as obviously have a number of other people based on the pictures, so it can be done. Without a refuge, I'd give serious consideration to a DSB for the elimination of nitrate. As ChrgerOnDavins stated, you are going to have to be constantly vigilant of water quality parameters and monitor your chemical tests and critters very closely, especially if you are going to keep fish. Biggest problem you're going to have with the PCs is heat. I ran a actinic and a 10,000K bulb - the actinic was on a 12 hour cycle, and the 10K was on a 8 hour cycle. Had the light on the manufactures "legs" and couldn't keep temperature in acceptable range till I used other things to lift the light even higher off the tank. Don't skimp on the skimmer cause this is going to be your major filtration, and make sure you have plenty of flow (use something to break up the waters surface), cause with the heat I had problems with the floating green scum on the surface. Other than that, you going to find it to be pretty similar to maintaining your 55. You'll be surprised how much time you'll spend doing maintance on a smaller tank; as stated smaller isn't necessarily easier.