20 Gallon Long - Thoughts?

[RaymondL]

I like the idea of having a longer horizontal tank versus cube, tall or both...instead I prefer a tank with shorter height and longer for LPS corals, which like to spread wide. My thought is to get a 20 Gallon traditional long tank (ie. the ones with the black framing).

If I could find a rimless one and black silicone even better, but so far no luck.

Anyhow, my idea is then to black out the back and get a Tidal hang on back filter. I'll need an ATO, but since I have no form of a Sump, I have no choice but to put the sensor inside the display tank area - which shouldn't be a problem I think?

Welcome thoughts for this idea.
Thanks

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I don't know why the hobby doesn't seem to like normal rimmed rectangle tanks anymore, but that's all I use. They are cheap and easy to find and last forever.

Only one of my tanks is sumped, the others are all hob equipment, and the ATO sensors are all in the main tank.

I would also add a powerhead or two to the tank, but otherwise it sounds like a good plan.

 

[dwest]

I like the idea of having a longer horizontal tank versus cube, tall or both...instead I prefer a tank with shorter height and longer for LPS corals, which like to spread wide. My thought is to get a 20 Gallon traditional long tank (ie. the ones with the black framing).

If I could find a rimless one and black silicone even better, but so far no luck.

Anyhow, my idea is then to black out the back and get a Tidal hang on back filter. I'll need an ATO, but since I have no form of a Sump, I have no choice but to put the sensor inside the display tank area - which shouldn't be a problem I think?

Welcome thoughts for this idea.
Thanks

It’s a great tank. I had one for years.

 

[RaymondL]

I don't know why the hobby doesn't seem to like normal rimmed rectangle tanks anymore, but that's all I use. They are cheap and easy to find and last forever.

Only one of my tanks is sumped, the others are all hob equipment, and the ATO sensors are all in the main tank.

I would also add a powerhead or two to the tank, but otherwise it sounds like a good plan.

Thanks - how do you find the HOB filters?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Thanks - how do you find the HOB filters?

I use the hob filters mainly to run carbon. My 5 - 10 - and 15 gallon tanks have no filters at all, just weekly water changes.

 

[Shirak]

I have a 20g long. Nice tank. Tunze ATO in the tank. HOB skimmer with one of those skimmate lockers. Have used HOB filters but not really for much filtering. More for carbon and things. Detritus settles so I just siphon it out with water changes each week.

With the length of the tank I would look for strip style lights. I have used T5 but LED would be better. Which is what I use now. Otherwise you will need a couple of puck style LED to get good coverage.

 

[Rhetoric]

Good Morning Ray,

Your plan will work and be successful.

I present an alternative (that I used) for my 20 gallon. After much research and questions I landed on an 20 gallon AIO (All in One) penncila style. I got hung up on the idea of nowhere to hide my heater. I didn't want it in my display. It also gave me a place to put other equipment needs such as an Auto top off sensor, and Dosing lines. It cost a little more then a hang on back system but was totally worth it!

Here's a little teaser to get you excited about the 20gallon potential!

Welcome to the 20g club! Let me know if you have more questions.

 

[fishyjoes]

I have a 20 gallon long display that I drilled and added an overflow with a 10 gallon sump underneath.

For me it was a great way to get into reefing without needing a lot of space and somewhat limiting cost. You can achieve a lot with these tanks.

As for lighting, I use two pendant style lights. I have looked into strip lights but most of them are 24" or 36" instead of 30". I believe only the AI blades have a 30" option and they are too pricey for my budget.

 

[D.WhiteShark]

It's too bad the Mr. Aqua tanks aren't avail anymore. I set one up in my garage years ago as a holding tank and it's still running flawlessly today! I went a little extra on it because that's what I do but I actually like it more than my display tank these days.

Too bad you aren't in CA I have two still in the boxes that I ended up not using.
.

 

[X-37B]

Just setup this 20x12x12 as a qt tank.
I used a simple gravity fed ato.
I use a 1 liter bottle.

 

[RaymondL]

Good Morning Ray,

Your plan will work and be successful.

I present an alternative (that I used) for my 20 gallon. After much research and questions I landed on an 20 gallon AIO (All in One) penncila style. I got hung up on the idea of nowhere to hide my heater. I didn't want it in my display. It also gave me a place to put other equipment needs such as an Auto top off sensor, and Dosing lines. It cost a little more then a hang on back system but was totally worth it!

Here's a little teaser to get you excited about the 20gallon potential!

Welcome to the 20g club! Let me know if you have more questions.

WOW! What a nice looking setup and well done on your 20G!!! What model is your tank? Is it a WB?

 

[Rhetoric]

WOW! What a nice looking setup and well done on your 20G!!! What model is your tank? Is it a WB?

Thanks! Its an innovative marine I chose it due to the 11.8 width that fits my entry nook.