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Bummed out

I

IrradiatedReef

Well, we just found out the addition is not going to be ready till close to September due to the local zoning issues. Now I can't set up me tank for 6-7 months!!

It looks like I will be putting together a small nano instead to feed my cravings. Thinking a 20g.-ish I do not really want to go much bigger then this, I do want to run a sump not a hang on. What kind of skimmer should I be looking for? brand, size, hang on/submerged?

As much help with this size would be great, im not familiar with the small tanks and I know they can be less forgiving then the big tanks. Also this tank will be converted into a frag tank once I get into the addition and set up the 120, so I need to make sure this tank is set up properly so I am not investing money into things I either do not need or items that are underpowered for the tank. I want to use a 70?-75? watt metal halide with a couple of antinics. Will that be too much heat on the water? If so, will using PCs/VHOs be enough light to keep SPS frags?
 
T

TripsieD

Irr,
My current setup is a 5.5 gallon nano, which really is not much different of a setup than a 20L and my new tank is going to be roughly a modified 29. You can dril the 20 with a 1 inch bulkhead and drop that to a 29 gallon sump. Total tank cost would be roughly $100 give or take a few dollars. The sump has enough room to have an intake, return and fuge zones in it, just add baffles.

As far as lighting goes, I have had a huge success with the Coralife 130 watt PC fixture that runs for around $150, though ILC has a 175W halide kit for $109.

For the return pump a Mag 7, roughly around $90 or less is more than enough. I have a Mag 9.5 at this point for the new tank, but in discussion with Merv and Gabe that seems a little on the overkill side.

If you do weekly water changes you could probably get by without a skimmer. I haven't made a decision on what skimmer I am going to get for the new system, if I even get one. An AquaClear 50 or 70 should be plenty of filtration for the system, given that you are putting carbon and PhosBan in it.

For powerheads, the Minijet 404's are perfect. It would make a great little nano reef/frag grow out tank. If you have any questions about it, feel free to PM me.

Tom
 
T

TripsieD

I have some pocillipora that has been doing awesome under the PC's and I am very happy with the performance of the fixture. The 10K light has a slight high pitched whine, but with 2 computers in the room I don't really notice it until I shut it off. I never even hear the actinics, just the fan slowing slowing down when it turns off. The blue moonlight is pretty cool. The price was right on as well. I just got a whole load of stuff from NJReefGeek which included almost all SPS stuff so we will see how that does. I'd post a pic of the tank but I have a little bit of a hair algae thing going on and I'm kinda embarassed about it lol.

For my new tank (34 x 21, which is not that considerable of a difference) I am really considering going with 175W MH but am not really positive on that decision yet. I think a 70W HQI might be a much better option, but price wise, I will probably go with the 175W - ILC has a retro for $189 listed on their website and that includes everything. I will still need to supplement the actinics.

HTH

Tom
 
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