Planning a Saltwater Tank, Need Help

[Prism]

I am planning a saltwater tank, I was thinking for it to be 20g long.
This is my shopping list, and stocking ideas.

2 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 Fire Goby
1 Starry Blenny
1 Scarlet Legged Hermit Crab
3 Blue Legged Hermit Crab
3 Trochus Snails
3 Cerith Snails

and this is my list.

20 long - 20$

Filter - https://www.amazon.com/AquaClear-70...8&qid=1541769792&sr=1-2&keywords=aquaclear+70 44$
Our filter.

Seachem Matrix - https://www.amazon.com/Seachem-Matr...qid=1541769621&sr=8-2&keywords=seachem+matrix 12$
Beneficial bacteria, for the filter.

Wavemaker - https://www.amazon.com/Jebao-Propel...UTF8&qid=1542037564&sr=8-1&keywords=jebao+sw4 - 45$
The wavemaker to keep things flowing.

Refractometer - https://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_...MInMDk2arG3gIVQZyzCh0l7AZyEAQYASABEgJHGPD_BwE 20$
Saltanity tester.

RO/DI - https://www.amazon.com/LiquaGen-5-S...pons&keywords=ro/di+water+filter+system&psc=1 120$
Machine that removes unhealthy chemicals from tap.

Salt - https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocea...&qid=1541781402&sr=8-3&keywords=instant+ocean 40$
Salt for the aquarium.

Substrate - https://www.chewy.com/caribsea-arag...MIu7nKruzI3gIVw4SzCh0SJQh1EAQYASABEgJiSfD_BwE - 20$
Live sand substrate.

Growing Light - 10$
https://www.amazon.com/Aquaneat-Aqu...ocphy=1026411&hvtargid=pla-404547320303&psc=1
Growing LED for the filter to start the fuge.

Live rock, 20lbs.
2 - 5g buckets

I’m not totally sure about the light, and have some questions.
Also, I’m trying to find a cheaper refractometer.

These are my questions..
All the items I am talking about are located on the list.

Would a smaller filter be better for the tank, or is that one good?
Are there any recommendations on refractometers?

 

[Woody1911a1]

https://www.amazon.com/Refractomete...1-6&keywords=refractometer+saltwater+aquarium

same refractometer you were looking at

 

[cromag27]

I am planning a saltwater tank, I was thinking for it to be 20g long.
This is my shopping list, and stocking ideas.

2 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 Fire Goby
1 Starry Blenny
1 Scarlet Legged Hermit Crab
3 Blue Legged Hermit Crab
3 Trochus Snails
3 Cerith Snails

and this is my list.

20 long - 20$

Filter - https://www.amazon.com/AquaClear-70...8&qid=1541769792&sr=1-2&keywords=aquaclear+70 44$
Our filter.

Seachem Matrix - https://www.amazon.com/Seachem-Matr...qid=1541769621&sr=8-2&keywords=seachem+matrix 12$
Beneficial bacteria, for the filter.

Wavemaker - https://www.amazon.com/Jebao-Propel...UTF8&qid=1542037564&sr=8-1&keywords=jebao+sw4 - 45$
The wavemaker to keep things flowing.

Refractometer - https://www.marinedepot.com/Marine_...MInMDk2arG3gIVQZyzCh0l7AZyEAQYASABEgJHGPD_BwE 20$
Saltanity tester.

RO/DI - https://www.amazon.com/LiquaGen-5-Stage-Reverse-Osmosis-Deionization/dp/B01FNAPGPA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1541769878&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=ro/di+water+filter+system&psc=1 120$
Machine that removes unhealthy chemicals from tap.

Salt - https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocea...&qid=1541781402&sr=8-3&keywords=instant+ocean 40$
Salt for the aquarium.

Substrate - https://www.chewy.com/caribsea-arag...MIu7nKruzI3gIVw4SzCh0SJQh1EAQYASABEgJiSfD_BwE - 20$
Live sand substrate.

Growing Light - 10$
https://www.amazon.com/Aquaneat-Aqu...ocphy=1026411&hvtargid=pla-404547320303&psc=1
Growing LED for the filter to start the fuge.

Live rock, 20lbs.
2 - 5g buckets

I’m not totally sure about the light, and have some questions.
Also, I’m trying to find a cheaper refractometer.

These are my questions..
All the items I am talking about are located on the list.

Would a smaller filter be better for the tank, or is that one good?
Are there any recommendations on refractometers?

you could go with the ac50. that refractometer is considered cheap already.

 

[Prism]

Thanks, I’ll look at them.
Thanks for the quick replies!

 

[Prism]

I’m going to go with the refractometer recommended above.
https://www.amazon.com/Refractomete...1-6&keywords=refractometer+saltwater+aquarium

The only thing I forgot to add to my list is heaters, I’m probably going to go with a Cobalt Neo-Therm heater, but what wattage would be best?
I have some spare heaters here I could use for a mixing heater, I have hydor 50w, and a 100w I could use to mix the salt.

I’m going to be using RO/DI water, instead of buying water from sellers, or the store.
I think it would be stressful to go to the store every week to buy water, especially in the winter.

 

[lapin]

The only thing I forgot to add to my list is heaters, I’m probably going to go with a Cobalt Neo-Therm heater, but what wattage would be best?
I have some spare heaters here I could use for a mixing heater, I have hydor 50w, and a 100w I could use to mix the salt.

100W and its good to have a back up.

 

[Prism]

Purchased a Colbalt Neo-Therm heater for the tank.
I will probably use the 100w for my mixing.

I may want to do some coral after the tank matures, so any recommendations on lights?
I was told to buy the Current USA Marine Light, but it’s so expensive.

What growing lights would you recommend for some corals?
I am planning on these coral after my tank matures.

Duncan Coral
Green Star Polyp Coral
Pulsing Xenio Coral

I’ll be feeding the coral Reef Roids, and my fish I would pick up some from my LFS.
I’m probably going to get a mix of frozen foods for the fish.

 

[lapin]

I may want to do some coral after the tank matures, so any recommendations on lights?
I was told to buy the Current USA Marine Light, but it’s so expensive.
What growing lights would you recommend for some corals?
Duncan Coral
Green Star Polyp Coral
Pulsing Xenio Coral

At 129.00 that light is not expensive. Most chinese black box lights run from a low of around that to upwards of 250.00
You can do some research on them on the forum.

 

[MSB123]

A medium priced light for a 20 gallon tank is about $225-300. A nice light will be $300+.
Where do you plan to put the Fuge?

 

[MSB123]

Purchased a Colbalt Neo-Therm heater for the tank.
I will probably use the 100w for my mixing.

I may want to do some coral after the tank matures, so any recommendations on lights?
I was told to buy the Current USA Marine Light, but it’s so expensive.

What growing lights would you recommend for some corals?
I am planning on these coral after my tank matures.

Duncan Coral
Green Star Polyp Coral
Pulsing Xenio Coral

I’ll be feeding the coral Reef Roids, and my fish I would pick up some from my LFS.
I’m probably going to get a mix of frozen foods for the fish.

The Duncan will need higher light and the GSP(green star polyp) and Xenia will be become invasive.

 

[MSB123]

#reefsquad

 

[Prism]

The fuge is going to be grown in the filter, the clip on light is not my primary.
The Current USA Marine Orbit light is not enough for a Duncan?

The light is considered expensive for a teenager like me, but maybe it isn’t in the saltwater world.
I was looking around the forum, and found some lights.

Would the Fluval Aquasky be good, or not?

 

[Prism]

What light should I get?
Current USA Marine Orbit, Fluval Aquasky, MICOL Aqua CC 30w Marine Light, HIPARGERO LED 30w Light, macegrow Aqua Knight-30w, Phlizon 165w Saltwater Light, or Roleadeo 165w Saltwater Light.

@MSB123 @HotRocks
The fuge will be grown in my filter. I will probably not add the coral until it starts, and my tank is matured.
To start off I will just have fish, and live rock, so the tank will be a FOLWR for a month or two.

I am familiar with the nitrogen cycle a little, but I haven’t researched all the way on it.
This is not my first fishtank, just my first saltwater tank, so I’m not a total noob.

I am going to research about it, but I know it will be a fast process due to my rock, and sand.
I will be using liverock, yes, I know it has to be wet at all times, or it will die.

 

[MSB123]

I am a teen as well. It isn’t easy, but I support myself.
I would look at any light that provides over 3 watts per gallon of tank.
If you are on a budget, look at a Chinese black box. @HotRocks might know the best one for your money.
How will you be doing a Fuge in the filter?
Do you have a sump? Or just a HOB filter?

What light should I get?
Current USA Marine Orbit, Fluval Aquasky, MICOL Aqua CC 30w Marine Light, HIPARGERO LED 30w Light, macegrow Aqua Knight-30w, Phlizon 165w Saltwater Light, or Roleadeo 165w Saltwater Light.

@MSB123 @HotRocks
The fuge will be grown in my filter. I will probably not add the coral until it starts, and my tank is matured.
To start off I will just have fish, and live rock, so the tank will be a FOLWR for a month or two.

I am familiar with the nitrogen cycle a little, but I haven’t researched all the way on it.
This is not my first fishtank, just my first saltwater tank, so I’m not a total noob.

I am going to research about it, but I know it will be a fast process due to my rock, and sand.
I will be using liverock, yes, I know it has to be wet at all times, or it will die.

 

[MSB123]

What light should I get?
Current USA Marine Orbit, Fluval Aquasky, MICOL Aqua CC 30w Marine Light, HIPARGERO LED 30w Light, macegrow Aqua Knight-30w, Phlizon 165w Saltwater Light, or Roleadeo 165w Saltwater Light.

@MSB123 @HotRocks
The fuge will be grown in my filter. I will probably not add the coral until it starts, and my tank is matured.
To start off I will just have fish, and live rock, so the tank will be a FOLWR for a month or two.

I am familiar with the nitrogen cycle a little, but I haven’t researched all the way on it.
This is not my first fishtank, just my first saltwater tank, so I’m not a total noob.

I am going to research about it, but I know it will be a fast process due to my rock, and sand.
I will be using liverock, yes, I know it has to be wet at all times, or it will die.

The rock will speed up the process, but it will still take a good amount of time, I suspect more then a month.

 

[Prism]

I am a teen as well. It isn’t easy, but I support myself.
I would look at any light that provides over 3 watts per gallon of tank.
If you are on a budget, look at a Chinese black box. @HotRocks might know the best one for your money.
How will you be doing a Fuge in the filter?
Do you have a sump? Or just a HOB filter?

Just an HOB, I thought that would be enough for a 20g.
I will probably buy a temporary cheap light, like a Nicrew Light, until the tank matures, and the cycle is complete, and all the fish are settled.

Once that happens we’ll probably be ready for some corals, so we’ll invest in a more powerful light.
But before that happends, I need to know what I need to save up for.

 

[MSB123]

I would save up for a AI hydra 26 hd.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/hydr...yYs7z8xMwAtxaIIFAz6NI2sk87UjOeoUaAiGTEALw_wcB

Just an HOB, I thought that would be enough for a 20g.
I will probably buy a temporary cheap light, like a Nicrew Light, until the tank matures, and the cycle is complete, and all the fish are settled.

Once that happens we’ll probably be ready for some corals, so we’ll invest in a more powerful light.
But before that happends, I need to know what I need to save up for.

 

[Prism]

Alright, that’s what I will save for.
Another thing is, is stocking..

Is the stocking I listed above alright to do, or is it overstocked?
I was planning on doing these fish, if you didn’t read above.

2 Ocellaris Clownfish
1 Fire Goby
1 Starry Benny
3 Cerith Snails
3 Trochus Snails

I am wanting to add some hermit crabs, but for now I think I’ll start with that.
I will be feeding these fish the following..

The fish will be fed occasionally pellets, and will be fed everyday an assortment of frozen foods.
The trochus snails will eat any algae, and probably uneaten food from the fish. Any other foods snails will need, or eat?

The corals would be fed ReefRoids, once I get the coral that is what I’ll be giving them.

 

[MSB123]

That seems ok, just make sure you are doing water changes often because otherwise the reef roids will build up nitrates and nitrites.

 

[Prism]

That seems ok, just make sure you are doing water changes often because otherwise the reef roids will build up nitrates and nitrites.

I have heard of them building up nitrates, and nitrites.
Are weekly 30-40% water changes ok?

I will probably be testing the salinity everyday, and the levels every 5-7days.
Probably will test the levels before the waterchanges, or after.