Hello ReefLand.

[Ogdenenator]

First this is the probably the best forum i have been able to find on the interweb. I have been keeping a saltwater fish only tank for a while now, just moved and had to give all my fish away, didnt think they would survive the 8 hour move in buckets in my uhaul. I am thinking about going Reef.

I have a 20 High, i know it should be larger but is all i could if in my college dorm room. I currently have had my tank up and running now for 7 months, I have 12 LB of LR, a 1.5 inch crushed coral bed. Equipment is a Super Skimmer 65, Penguin BioWheel 200, heater, Dual floresent bulb (one 10,000K and one atinic). I do weekly water changes with RO water and vacum out the crushed coral bed.

Currently i have two 3 stripe damsels, one domino damsel, Long spine urchin, Arrow crab, green serpent star, 2 scarlet hermit crabs and 2 astraea snails.

Does anyone see any problems with getting a few corals, polyps or mushrooms is where id start.

Thanks,

JonnyO

[CSeaSee]

You may want to add a small powerhead, but otherwise it seems alright- I'd only keep soft corals, though. What brand is that skimmer of yours?

[Ogdenenator]

Its a coralife super skimmer 65.

How big of a powerhead are we talking here, is it just to create more flow.
My filter is already turning the tank X10 an hour.

I am also thinking of removing the crushed coral and replacing it with sand, In the past i had a tough time keeping the sand bed clean through

[CSeaSee]

Yes, the powerhead is just to create more lateral flow through the tank, as opposed to your mechanical filter's vertical flow- a small Maxijet or Rio would do- although some people have had reliability issues with the Rio brand, my experience has been positive.
A shallow bed of sand is generally easier to keep clean than a crushed coral bed, b/c the CC traps detritus more easily. That being said, I've successfully kept a reef tank with a crushed coral substrate. However, given the choice, I'd rather have the sand. That choice will be up to you.
I've heard good things about your skimmer, but I've never seen one.

[Ogdenenator]

How much flow would you recommend for a power head, 50 - 100 - 150GPH ?
I guess i dont want the flow too high, but i would like it enough for the corals.

does anyone see any major problems that would occur in the tank if i removed the established substrate and replaced it with sand? How deep? I was thinking about 1 - 2 inches, anything deeper, I think, would make my 20 gal look like an ant farm.