20G Long Build

gotwins86 · Nov 24, 2019

Will probably be a couple more years before I can start my 180G+ build so I convinced the wife to left me do a 20 long in the meantime.
I ordered some stuff from BRS with their BF sale. Still have more to order, hoping more sales kick in.

Here is the plan.
20G long display
10 gallon sump/refugium
Stand made of extra wood I already had.
Fijicube overflow
Lighting: 2 x 24" Current USA IC Loop
Wave: Undecided, probably 2 small jebao or current usa pumps
For sump thinking just a refugium section. Possibly throwing in a small uv I have sitting in storage.

Waiting for a lot of supplies to come in, but I got the rock work done this weekend.

Plan is for the tank to be right next to the couch, always having a great view while watching tv. Main reason for choosing the current usa lights. Don't want lights sticking up right next to the couch, and to keep a lower profile for where it is in the room.

Still lots to do, hopefully all plumbing/sump/overflow stuff will be in by this next weekend and I can work on it some more.

Mastiffsrule · Nov 24, 2019

Hello

Nice build. Rock looks good. I like the current stuff. Any idea on fish?

@Crabs McJones should this be moved to members tanks?

Crabs McJones · Nov 24, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
Hello

Nice build. Rock looks good. I like the current stuff. Any idea on fish?

@Crabs McJones should this be moved to members tanks?

Could go either way. 20 gallon is a nano. If OP wants it moved I can

Murica · Nov 24, 2019

Love where u have the tank set up

gotwins86 · Nov 24, 2019

For fish thinking 2 clowns, royal gramma, pink streaker wrasse, and tail spot blenny.

501Reefer · Nov 24, 2019

Looking good. My 20 long is going on 2yrs old. I wish I had drilled mine. Planning on upgrading within the next year.

btmedic04 · Nov 26, 2019

Following and I look forward to seeing your progress!

gotwins86 · Nov 26, 2019

Got it drilled today. Was a little tough trying to get the overflow as high as possible with the trim. I think I got it good a tight, but might have to add a spacer on the outside side.

gotwins86 · Nov 30, 2019

It is up and running! Ordered some lights and pumps yesterday, should be here towards the end of the week. Starting the cycle with some Microbacter Start XLM and ammonia. Hopefully it wont take long to cycle.

jeeperreefer · Nov 30, 2019

gotwins86 said:
It is up and running! Ordered some lights and pumps yesterday, should be here towards the end of the week. Starting the cycle with some Microbacter Start XLM and ammonia. Hopefully it wont take long to cycle.

looking good. is that vibrant see down in your stand ? i have using this for awhile and i love it.

gotwins86 · Nov 30, 2019

jeeperreefer said:
looking good. is that vibrant see down in your stand ? i have using this for awhile and i love it.

Yup. Going to try it with the maintenance dose every 2 weeks. See if I can avoid some of the "ugly" stage.

jeeperreefer · Nov 30, 2019

gotwins86 said:
Yup. Going to try it with the maintenance dose every 2 weeks. See if I can avoid some of the "ugly" stage.

i started using it after the cycle and no algae yet. its been 4 months.

Hemmdog · Nov 30, 2019

Sweet !

gotwins86 · Dec 7, 2019

Finally go my lights in. Went with current usa marine orbit lights. 2 x the newer version. Also got 2 of their 660gph wave pumps and the blue tooth controller to run it all. Like it all so far, will have to play around with it some more. The wave pumps have decent flow. Should be plenty for softies and lps. Tank is cycled, used Microbacter Start XLM. I will give it til next weekend and then make a trip to the LFS if everything stays in line.

Here is the scape.

And here is its spot, right next to the couch.

gotwins86 · Dec 14, 2019

Everything is still going good. Did a water change this morning.
Went to my LFS, ended up getting a black ice clown pair. Almost impossible to get a pic of them. I will have to work on my photo skills.

shermoen · Dec 15, 2019

Tank, stand , and scape look great!! What types of corals will/can you grow with the orbits?

Chlorinated · Dec 15, 2019

Looking great! I like the scape.

gotwins86 · Dec 15, 2019

shermoen said:
Tank, stand , and scape look great!! What types of corals will/can you grow with the orbits?

Thanks! I'm going to stick with mostly softies and LPS. Once tank is more mature, I think I will try a couple easier SPS. Higher on the rocks and centered. The orbits have decent par numbers, and a 20L is only 12" tall.