Noob in Training.

[paku]

I posted this over at Reef Central, but now that I found a local forum I decided to copy it here. Its a long post sorry!

Heya all,
I have never kept a SW tank, I do have 2 FW tanks, 10g Dwarf Puffer tank and a 20g Community. I am also planning a 29-30g Brackish set up for a figure 8 puffer and 6-8 BumbleBee Gobies. I have read all about cycling SW tanks and plan to cycle with 20lbs of live rock.

I live in a 1br apt and am planning a 20g long reef tank do to space and easy moving in the future. I would like to have all the pumps / skimmer ect on one of the short sides of the tank (or a 5.5g fuge) so it can be viewed from both long sides. I was also thinking of rigging up some kind of fuge with a 5.5g sitting next to it. The reef with be an "island" in the middle, or 2 smaller islands with a "bridge" conecting them. I havent done any research on the corals I want yet.

I am def planning on a pair of Percs for my GF. Along with a bubble Anemone. I know in a smaller tank Anemone can be a bad idea, especially since i have no experiance, but I have been researching a ton. Would a pair of percs be ok in a 20 long?

Would I need more than 1 powerhead at each end of the tank? How much current should I be looking for?

Would I need a HOB Skimmer for a 20g?

I know I want a 2" sand bed and 20-25Lbs of live rock. Should I shoot for a deeper bed? 2" already makes the depth of the tank down to 10"

With only 10" deep on a 20g long, would I need more than 96W? Should I go for 2x96w? Or do you think a 24" 2x 65w would be fine?

I am not to familliar with stocking SW / Reef, would 2 False Percs be the limit? Would a couple 2-3" Gobies be a problem? Also do you add in to the stock limit any big hitchikers or inverts I may want?

What kind of filter should I go for? Are Biowheels not effective with SW? HOB Aquaclear? A canister isnt really optional because of the way the tank will be displayed. So I am looking into HOB options.

Would you suggest a diy Aquaclear refugium mod? Would a refu be needed in a tank this small? Likw i said earlier i would love to have a 5.5g refug on the side of the tank. That way I can keep a Mantis or some other evil hitchickers I may spot, along with a deeper sand bed, live rock and maybe some maco algae. Would I need to drill in an overflow on the 20 long if I wanted to do that?

I will keep reading up and researching any help or advice would be great. I wont be setting anything up for atleast a month or two.


I have a really good LFS here with live rock and the works, (Bermuda Triangle) And one guy there seems very knowledgable and willing to help a noob more than just selling a buch of stuff. Are there any other good reef LFS I should go look at also?

Thanks all~

[Ironman]

hello, noob I would recommend coming to the sept. meeting and talking to people. you have alot of very good questions that need time to discuss. as for stores, bermuda is a good store and supports the club alot. we appreciate there support. ill post some more info later, im leaving for dinner

[paku]

Thanks for all the feedback! This is a great club you have here!

[Ironman]

Are you gonna make it to the meeting?

[bkv1997]

Hey Paku:

Just to answer a couple quick questions and hope you can make it to the metting because that is where we could really help you out the most.

If you want to do a 20 gallon long do you think you could put a small overflow box on the end then have another 10 or 15 gallon tank under it for filters, etc.

The more lighting the better i would go with the 2(96).

I really would recommend against the anemone, I can share my horor stories with you at the meeting.

The rule of thumb is 1" for fish for 5 gallons of with saltwater.

A skimmer is always a must, and a really good one may allow you to keep a extra fish or two.

Just wanted to give you a couple quick answers. Hope to see you at the meeting.

BRandon

[minireefer]

Also if go with at least 10 gallon sump you can keep the unsightly thing like protein skimmer and heater with in it