Just getting started

[GMan1974]

Hey everyone I'm just getting into a salt water aquariums. I've had fresh water for decades. I've recently purchased a JBJ 20g rimless to start. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Glenn

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

If you're brand new to reef tanks, I'd suggest this guide and video series to point you in the right direction. Certainly, if you have questions please post back, and I'm sure someone will be able to help you

Good luck!

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium

The Supreme Guide To Setting Up A Saltwater Reef Aquarium Introduction The marine environment is one of the most complex systems on the planet. The aquarium you are about to set up is only a tiny sliver of the vast ocean, but it is nowhere near simple. This task is going to take patience, a...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Fish Fan]

Also, that's a nice Bass, but they are not reef safe - throw him back

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome Glenn, glad you are here!

 

[arcwaveaquatics]

Hey everyone I'm just getting into a salt water aquariums. I've had fresh water for decades. I've recently purchased a JBJ 20g rimless to start. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Glenn

Welcome, Glenn — great choice starting with a JBJ 20g. Coming from freshwater, you already have a big advantage with patience and consistency.


My biggest advice is to keep it simple at first. Focus on stable salinity, temperature, and alkalinity rather than chasing every parameter. Take your time with the cycle, add livestock slowly, and don’t rush corals just because the tank looks ready.


For a 20g, good flow and decent lighting matter more than fancy equipment. An auto top-off is one of the best early upgrades since evaporation affects small tanks quickly. Stick to hardy fish and beginner corals at first, and resist the urge to overstock.


Saltwater rewards stability more than perfection. Slow, steady progress will save you a lot of frustration down the road.

-Michael

 

[GMan1974]

Welcome, Glenn — great choice starting with a JBJ 20g. Coming from freshwater, you already have a big advantage with patience and consistency.


My biggest advice is to keep it simple at first. Focus on stable salinity, temperature, and alkalinity rather than chasing every parameter. Take your time with the cycle, add livestock slowly, and don’t rush corals just because the tank looks ready.


For a 20g, good flow and decent lighting matter more than fancy equipment. An auto top-off is one of the best early upgrades since evaporation affects small tanks quickly. Stick to hardy fish and beginner corals at first, and resist the urge to overstock.


Saltwater rewards stability more than perfection. Slow, steady progress will save you a lot of frustration down the road.

-Michael

Thanks for the advice.

 

[GMan1974]

Welcome, Glenn — great choice starting with a JBJ 20g. Coming from freshwater, you already have a big advantage with patience and consistency.


My biggest advice is to keep it simple at first. Focus on stable salinity, temperature, and alkalinity rather than chasing every parameter. Take your time with the cycle, add livestock slowly, and don’t rush corals just because the tank looks ready.


For a 20g, good flow and decent lighting matter more than fancy equipment. An auto top-off is one of the best early upgrades since evaporation affects small tanks quickly. Stick to hardy fish and beginner corals at first, and resist the urge to overstock.


Saltwater rewards stability more than perfection. Slow, steady progress will save you a lot of frustration down the road.

-Michael

Hey everyone I'm just getting into a salt water aquariums. I've had fresh water for decades. I've recently purchased a JBJ 20g rimless to start. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Glenn

Any suggestions on sand type and how much, lighting, heater, ATO?

 

[TJ42]

Welcome to r2r!

I set mine up recently and used the coralsea aragonite. I wish I had also bought some of the tampa bay salt water sand however. I did order some of their rock which I really like. I might still grab some of their sand in my next order. I think for how much sand to use can be a heated discussion. There are lots of opinions and preferences there. I have mine pretty thin at about an inch to 1 1/2 inches deep. Lighting is also a very varied opinion and kind of depends on budget too.

 

[GMan1974]

Welcome to r2r!

I set mine up recently and used the coralsea aragonite. I wish I had also bought some of the tampa bay salt water sand however. I did order some of their rock which I really like. I might still grab some of their sand in my next order. I think for how much sand to use can be a heated discussion. There are lots of opinions and preferences there. I have mine pretty thin at about an inch to 1 1/2 inches deep. Lighting is also a very varied opinion and kind of depends on budget too.

Thanks for the information.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Hey everyone I'm just getting into a salt water aquariums. I've had fresh water for decades. I've recently purchased a JBJ 20g rimless to start. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
Glenn

welcome-your experience will help you but lots more to learn.

I sound like a broken record saying this but ditch the 20g and go up to 40 or bigger. More water is more stability when things go south. I started with a 40 and wished I started with a 75, but of course back then I had less income and could not afford any upgrades.

Since youre going with a nano tank, do all live rock. No dry rock. Preferably aged or even fresh from the ocean if your wallet allows (tampa bay saltwater).

Also- special grade aragonite for sand size. the dust and fine grain sand is a nightmare in tanks that have decent flow, and you may end up wanting all sps or a mixed reef. I learned the hard way that my sand sucked.

 

[GMan1974]

welcome-your experience will help you but lots more to learn.

I sound like a broken record saying this but ditch the 20g and go up to 40 or bigger. More water is more stability when things go south. I started with a 40 and wished I started with a 75, but of course back then I had less income and could not afford any upgrades.

Since youre going with a nano tank, do all live rock. No dry rock. Preferably aged or even fresh from the ocean if your wallet allows (tampa bay saltwater).

Also- special grade aragonite for sand size. the dust and fine grain sand is a nightmare in tanks that have decent flow, and you may end up wanting all sps or a mixed reef. I learned the hard way that my sand sucked.

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

anytime- Just paying forward for all the good advice I get from people here. if you get hooked with corals and cool fish, you eventually upgrade anyway. Cut out the small tank and go medium (if you can of course). If already purchased, that’s still a nice little tank

 

[GMan1974]

anytime- Just paying forward for all the good advice I get from people here. if you get hooked with corals and cool fish, you eventually upgrade anyway. Cut out the small tank and go medium (if you can of course). If already purchased, that’s still a nice little tank

Awesome! Yeah already purchased the 20g. Thanks.