Noob in Training.

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~

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

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

Are you gonna make it to the meeting?

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

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