Setting up a 20L, a few questions (1 Viewer)

[burtnnator07]

Alright, so after researching and waiting for probably close to 3 months now, I'm finally going to start setting up my 20L . I have a couple of questions though I figured yall could help me with and it'd be nice if you could just look over what I'm planning on and give me some feedback. I'm setting up a reef tank with mostly softies, zoas, shrooms and perhaps some lps.

Flow: I'm thinking 2 maxijet 1200s

Lighting: 2x65 Coralife Aqualight. What do yall think about moonlights? There is an option to add, but I'm not sure whether they do all that much you know?

Filtration: live rock will be main filtration but I suppose I need a hob or something incase I want to do chemical and for mechanical filtration right? What are you're thoughts on this?

Heating: 100w jager heater or do I need a 150w heater?

Salt mixes: What do yall prefer? People online have so many different opinions about how one causes algae ect.

Fish: I'm not all that attatched to any particular fish, I just want something that is interesting to watch and has personality. Originally, I wanted a tank with an ocellaris or percula after tank cycled, but what do yall think about a pair? If I had a pair would that be my limit fish wise?

I'll be getting the various other things needed for a tank such as refractometer, theremometer ect. not too worried about those.

Also, I think I'm going to convert my 10g fw tank into a quarantine tank.

Alright, feedback is appreciated!!

 

[Guest]

sounds good. what type of corals are you thinking of? On my 20L i have 4 75 watt vhos. get the Aqua clear HOB filters and modify it into a refugium. nanotank.com has the plans for the modification. Moonlights are nice.

 

[CBBSteve]

Hi, burtnnator07.
Here's a couple of my thoughts.

Flow - you might consider more and smaller powerheads, this would give you a more gentle and diffuse flow pattern. I think 2 MJ 12's would concentrate your flow too much.

Filtration - An HOB filter would be a good idea but not really necessary. Besides, with a softie tank, you don't really need pristene water. Do you plan on doing protein skimming? How about a sump/refugium?

Salt - I just use Oceanic and bump up the alkalinity with baking soda. I don't really buy the notion that certain brands cause algae.

Moonlights - very nice to have, I love 'em. Don't know how necessary they are, though.

Fish - lots of options, a pair of clowns would be nice.

Sounds like you've got a pretty good plan.

Good luck,
Steve