Starting a 20g tank

[el_georgie]

Hey I'm also new at this. I have an ordinary tank that I got from my inlaw. I went to the local pet shop and the showed me all the things I need to start off.I'm planning on going to the beach and get sand from there the guy at the pet shop told that I have to rinse it until the water comes out clean that true? Can I have live rock with that cheap walmart tank or do I need a skimmer? What fish would you recommend me to get? Thanks a lot!

[Steve McKay]

Hey I'm also new at this. I have an ordinary tank that I got from my inlaw. I went to the local pet shop and the showed me all the things I need to start off.I'm planning on going to the beach and get sand from there the guy at the pet shop told that I have to rinse it until the water comes out clean that true? Can I have live rock with that cheap walmart tank or do I need a skimmer? What fish would you recommend me to get? Thanks a lot!

What beach are we talking about? Yes you can have LR but you also need a good skimmer too if your going to have corals.

[Parrothead]

I would not use any beach sand or sand collected from the waters near a beach unless you can find a nice deserted Island somewhere in the middle of no where, you run to big a risk of pollution contaminating your tank by using sand collected from a beach or the waters near a beach. JMHO

And +1 Steve, a skimmer will be a must, check out remora's nano-skimmer line, been hearing good things about them

[el_georgie]

thanks a lot for the replies. I got another one..is powerhead a must?

[metalhead]

Yes Georgie, you'll want plenty of flow.

+1 on what Parrot said too... Not sure what the situation is like where you are but to find uncontaminated sea water in the mainland states we have to get well off-shore.

[Parrothead]

P. Rico isn't a whole lot different than what we have here in florida regarding sandy beaches and pristine waters, I would not under any circumstances use beach sand or saltwater, even if you could get far enough off shore to find pristine seawater, guess what, the boat that got you there, just fried that spot.

for your sand get plain old aragonite, carib sea makes some good stuff, add your live rock, skimmer, and check out the koralia(SP?) nano pump/powerhead, in a 20 that should be fine along with your skimmers return,

Also spend some money and get a decent test kit, salifert is my favorite, for lights - look at the 24" nova T-5 HO sets, the got the regular one and the extreme pro.

Happy Reefing and Welcome to Reefland

[el_georgie]

I added the salt couple of hours ago. I just ordered the power head. Is there a cheaper skimmer that does the same work? Thanks a lot for the help!! when should I add the bacteria when the water clears or can I do it now? Thanks!

[Steve McKay]

I added the salt couple of hours ago. I just ordered the power head. Is there a cheaper skimmer that does the same work? Thanks a lot for the help!! when should I add the bacteria when the water clears or can I do it now? Thanks!

Georgie, this is not a cheap hobby unfortunately. If you can't afford the proper equipment get out now before you waste money. A skimmer is the most important piece of equipment for a reef system. Below is a list of equipment you will need, a couple of these items may not be needed but most will.

REEF TANK.

Main Equipment.

Tank.
Tank Stand.
Circulation Pumps.
Light Fixture.
Lamps (bulbs).
Surge Protected Power Strip(s).
Light Timer(s).
Overflow.
Sump.
Skimmer.
Heater(s).
Return Pump.
Return nozzle.
Ball valve.
Hose.
Clamps.
Plumbing Supplies.
Refugium Kit.
RO/DI System.
Chiller.

Misc. Equipment.

Hydrometer.
Refractrometer.
Test Kits.
Net(s).
Thermometer(s).
Mixing Container(s).
Bucket(s).
Power Head(s).
Media Bag(s).
Algae Scraper.
Tongs.

Supplies.

Carbon.
Salt Mix.
Water Supplements (Ca., Alk., Mg.).
Fish Food.
Coral Food.

You do not add bacteria, they accur naturally. Do you have a hydrometer?

[el_georgie]

I'm starting with a 20g tank is this a good skimmer since I'm starting and have a small tank. Because I dont mind having to buy all the euipment over cause I upgrade the size of the tank. OCTOPUS NANO PROTEIN SKIMMER FOR 25 GALLONS NS80 or what about the cheap jebo? any suggestions for a skimmer under 100? Thanks a lot for all the useful hints
maybe this one AquaticLife Internal Mini Reef Tank Protein Skimmer 115

[Steve McKay]

I'm starting with a 20g tank is this a good skimmer since I'm starting and have a small tank. Because I dont mind having to buy all the euipment over cause I upgrade the size of the tank. OCTOPUS NANO PROTEIN SKIMMER FOR 25 GALLONS NS80 or what about the cheap jebo? any suggestions for a skimmer under 100? Thanks a lot for all the useful hints
maybe this one AquaticLife Internal Mini Reef Tank Protein Skimmer 115

You still don't understand. If you want to go cheap, use a straw and attach a air pump. You don't have to spend a million dollars but you can't skimp on a good skimmer or for that matter all the equipment if you want a successful reef system. If need be take your time a buy what you can when you can. Patience is the key word.

[metalhead]

What Steve said!

[el_georgie]

You still don't understand. If you want to go cheap, use a straw and attach a air pump. You don't have to spend a million dollars but you can't skimp on a good skimmer or for that matter all the equipment if you want a successful reef system. If need be take your time a buy what you can when you can. Patience is the key word.

Just ordered AquaC Remora Nano Protein Skimmer w/ Maxi Jet 900, I want to be succesful in this hobby so I have to start listening to the "masters" lol..Thanks guys

[Steve McKay]

Just ordered AquaC Remora Nano Protein Skimmer w/ Maxi Jet 900, I want to be succesful in this hobby so I have to start listening to the "masters" lol..Thanks guys

The "Masters" words are not the law, but we speak from experience and from the heart. We also have a lot to learn, that process will never stop. Another reason not to get a cheap skimmer that is only the recommended size is that when you upgrade to a bigger tank you won't be saying to yourself "Now I can't use this skimmer, I have to buy another one". That is why my skimmer cost $800 and is recommended up to 200 gal., I will be upgrading at some point in time and my skimmer will still be used.

[Parrothead]

Just ordered AquaC Remora Nano Protein Skimmer w/ Maxi Jet 900, I want to be succesful in this hobby so I have to start listening to the "masters" lol..Thanks guys

Good choice on the skimmer, Georgie, go read my thread, especially page 1, the very first post, read it, learn it, live it. I'm serious, don't try to do this cheap, it will break your heart

[Steve McKay]

You will like the Remora, I do realize that you couldn't use a bigger skimmer on a 20g. You made a good choice.

[el_georgie]

Hey another thing. Is it normal for the salt to take longer than 24 hours to dissolve? Cause i still have some salt at the bottom. It has been 24 hours already the gravity is at 1.023. Also I added some dried porous rock that I found. I'm planning on getting the fish myself. Th guy at the store told that I can do that if i dont mix wild and fishes from the store. I'm planning on going tomorrow to get som fishes. I havent add sand yet i'm still waiting for the saltto dissolve to add it. Should i get rid of those rocks and buy som live rock? I can post pics later if you like. I tested amonia in te afternoon and it came 0. Please some suggestion cause I dont want to kill the fishes tomorrow. I added bacteria to accelerate the process. Please guide me through this process i feel more comfortable with uou guys than the guy at the store.

[Steve McKay]

Hey another thing. Is it normal for the salt to take longer than 24 hours to dissolve? Cause i still have some salt at the bottom. It has been 24 hours already the gravity is at 1.023. Also I added some dried porous rock that I found. I'm planning on getting the fish myself. Th guy at the store told that I can do that if i dont mix wild and fishes from the store. I'm planning on going tomorrow to get som fishes. I havent add sand yet i'm still waiting for the saltto dissolve to add it. Should i get rid of those rocks and buy som live rock? I can post pics later if you like. I tested amonia in te afternoon and it came 0. Please some suggestion cause I dont want to kill the fishes tomorrow. I added bacteria to accelerate the process. Please guide me through this process i feel more comfortable with uou guys than the guy at the store.

When you mix ro/di or distilled water with salt mix in a container, you put a power head (pump) in to mix it up. It will not dissolve by itself. It's kind of like Nestle's Quick and milk, you have to stir it.

You cannot put rocks in that you found in your yard, it must be LR dry or wet.

You cannot add fish until your tank goes through the nitrogen cycle. On top of that how about getting your salt mixed first wouldn't that be a good idea.

You should have put the sand in first and mixed your water and salt mix in a separate container then added it to the tank.

I cant go any further,el_georgie stop what you are doing. You don't have a clue to what you are doing. We here at Reefland are here to help but we cannot and will not babysit. You must take it upon yourself to research what you are doing. Read all this material ( Click here before you ask, (links to answers) ) before going further or you will have major problems.

[el_georgie]

When you mix ro/di or distilled water with salt mix in a container, you put a power head (pump) in to mix it up. It will not dissolve by itself. It's kind of like Nestle's Quick and milk, you have to stir it.

You cannot put rocks in that you found in your yard, it must be LR dry or wet.

You cannot add fish until your tank goes through the nitrogen cycle. On top of that how about getting your salt mixed first wouldn't that be a good idea.

You should have put the sand in first and mixed your water and salt mix in a separate container then added it to the tank.

I cant go any further,el_georgie stop what you are doing. You don't have a clue to what you are doing. We here at Reefland are here to help but we cannot and will not babysit. You must take it upon yourself to research what you are doing. Read all this material ( Click here before you ask, (links to answers) ) before going further or you will have major problems.

here are some of the rocks that I put in my tank.
I vacuumed the excess salt that was left now its clean. I'm going to add the sand tomorrow.