My 20g nano (New build by a newb)

SK360

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Figured I'd start posting in this thread as I start this journey and hope for advice or comments along the way.

I am almost finished gathering parts to begin cycling. I am using a standard 20h aquarium that I got from Petco last year for the $1/gallon sale. Planning on sticking with FOWLR for the time being to get my feet wet in the saltwater side of this hobby, livestock will be perhaps a pair of False Percula and a clean up crew.

So far I have:
Koralia nano 425 powerhead
Hydor theo 100w heater (now I read negative reviews, considering trying the Jager 75w in the tank to see how it does (Office can get quite cold)
Maxijet 1200 for mixing in buckets and pumping water for changes Eheim jäger 75w heater for mixing bucket API saltwater master test kit

Just ordered IO reef crystals and a refractometer.

Planning on using water from the grocery store for now.

Also ordered 2 PAR38 Full Spectrum's from LEDTRiC.

Tank is going to be viewable from both sides, it is going to be kept in our office in a window going to the bedroom, pics can be seen below.

839FA8C7-8CFF-41D5-845E-1B29C23388B4-7644-00000271BF35AB43.jpg


From the bedroom
7FECF036-E5CB-4D40-812E-FD55AA664F01-7644-00000271C7F71993.jpg


From the office
87F220F9-A8DA-41E1-8D51-75600223E72B-7644-00000271CF5011F1.jpg


Will post updates when I have them, hope to be up and cycling by the middle of January.
 

Stray32

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If you want actual live rock, go to Saltwater Sanctuary off the Southpointe exit in Canonsburg. He has some really nice color on his rock, lots of sponges, algae, and bits of coral even. He also has a nice selection of livestock and supplies.
 

NanoNathan

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i ran a twentyg same as your for a while with a HOB filter and it did great. i may have missed it did you say what you will be using for filtration?
 
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SK360

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If you want actual live rock, go to Saltwater Sanctuary off the Southpointe exit in Canonsburg. He has some really nice color on his rock, lots of sponges, algae, and bits of coral even. He also has a nice selection of livestock and supplies.

Thanks for the recommendation. I am out in Beaver co past the airport, was considering going to Daves aquastock, Aquaworld, Slippery Rock Corals or Saltwater Sanctuary, the last 2 being a good distance (~1hr) away. I have a week at least to make up my mind.

i ran a twentyg same as your for a while with a HOB filter and it did great. i may have missed it did you say what you will be using for filtration?

Right now I am planning on staying on top of water changes and going all natural, I have a Emperor 280 that was on my FW tank before I changed it out for a Fluval 306 canister I was thinking of running but it takes up a LOT of space on either side of the tank.
 

NanoNathan

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That's the same hob filter I used it does tank up so much of the tank lol

Sent from my tank using tapatalk
 
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SK360

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Got my Drs fosters order, didn't expect it today, good thing nothing too sensitive was in it, it's freezing out!

B40F4F12-0201-4BEB-9B7C-29A854D51B3A-15483-00000549C74266E3.jpg


Just need my refractometer and we can start this adventure
 

Mr. D

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Sounds like you've already got a good feel of being patient and starting slow. Set up looks great!

You may want to consider investing in another power head for the tank in the future. More flow means better filtration from your rock and can help keep algae under control by keeping your rocks detritus free.


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Singlefin

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Definitely take it slow. Patience is key. Good going.
 
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SK360

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Currently going through the debate of using BRS Reef Saver and a bottle of Dr Tims or going live rock and dealing with the pests... Some posts have me kind of nervous about live rock.
 

revhtree

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Cool! Looking forward to following along!
 

T.W.

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For what its worth, I went with BRS Dry Live Rock. I will add also that this is my first build so take that with a grain of salt:wink:
 
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SK360

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lol. I'm reading about headaches with live rock and chasing down pests and losing fish due to hidden pests, not sure if I want to deal with that on my first SW tank.
 

Mr. D

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If you have someone who has a established, pest free system (as far as they can tell of course) you can start out with a good size piece of rock from their system and make up the rest of your system with dry base rock. Lessens your chances for unwanted pests.

You can even dip and quarantine your rock before hand to test for pests yourself.

I wouldn't underestimate the filtration power of live rock (limestone filled with bacteria). It's the best filtration you can possibly have.


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M@!

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Don't discount the life your receive on live rock. I really enjoyed the live rock with my first SW tank. It was very interesting to see what was going to come out of it. With a 20g you should be able to knock out any pests before you start adding livestock.

I would definitely recommend more flow. I was running two 425's on my 20 long and it could have used more.
 
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SK360

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Spoke to a guy at a highly recommended marine only LFS in the area that is close to our house, going to go check the store out soon. Will probably end up doing a mix of DR/LR from him.
 
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SK360

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Think this is the design I am going to go with for a PVC stand/fixture. Wires will be routed through the PVC and bulbs will be hung via outdoor spotlight fixtures screwed into threaded PVC T's. Will post pics as I progress with this.

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Zack

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Currently going through the debate of using BRS Reef Saver and a bottle of Dr Tims or going live rock and dealing with the pests... Some posts have me kind of nervous about live rock.
I went with the reef saver rock and dr tims bacteria. I absolutely love the reef saver rock. Each piece fits together perfectly any way you stack them and it looks like one complete structure instead of a pile of rocks.
 

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