Starting A 20 Gallon Nano Tank....PLEASE HELP!!

[volcomkrew4life]

Hello!! For the past 5 months or so I've been housing a Green Spotted Puffer in a 20 gallon tank with a SG of around 1.018. Well, I feel like he needs an upgrade, even though he's still only about 2 and a half inches long. I'm gunna be going with a 40 gallon breeder tank most likely for him but I want to turn his old 20 gallon tank into a FOWLR nano tank=] (I've never had a saltwater aquarium before and I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BIGGER TANK YOU HAVE THE EASIER THEY ARE TO MAINTAIN...I just sadly don't have the money for anything like a 55g tank after all the expenses)

Okay so first thing's first, I'm gunna clean out the 20g tank.

Then I plan on getting about 20lbs of Caribsea Ocean Direct Live Sand.

Then I'm going to get about 12 pounds of base rock and 8 pounds of live UNcured rock.

Then I'm going to get a 425 gph Hydor Koralia powerhead.

Then I might get some more decor for the tank and basically I think I'll be ready to go.

I don't want a protein skimmer because I honestly don't have the money for one. I'd rather do water changes more often than purchase a protein skimmer. I also feel like I'll be okay since it's only gunna be a 20 gallon tank.

So I'm gunna fill my tank up about 4 inches or so with dechlorinated (with SeaChem prime) tap water with a SG of 1.021 and add the live sand. SHOULD I USE DI WATER FROM WALMART OR WILL THE DECHLORINATED TAP BE OKAY??

Then I'm gunna wait till it settles a bit and fill the rest of the tank up most of the way with more water with a SG of 1.021 as well.

Then I'm gunna add my baserock and put the UNcured live rock on top of it.

I'm also gunna maybe add the decor (caves, fake corals, ect.)

I'll then add my powerhead. I figure one will be enough because, again, it's only a 20 gallon tank and I'm on a really tight budget.

I'll also turn on my 100 watt heater and set it to around 79 degrees.

Then I wait.....

If I'm not mistaken the dead matter in the live rock will be released into the water, causing an ammonia spike.
The bacteria in the tank will then build up within the live rock and live sand in order to turn the ammonia into nitrites which will result in my ammonia levels dropping down to zero and my nitrite levels spiking.

The bacteria will then build up even more, turning the nitrites into nitrates and at this point, once my ammonia levels and nitrite levels are reading zero, the live rock, live sand, and base rock will all be seeded with the bacteria that can sucessfully carry out the nitrogen cycle in my tank. At this point I can slowly begin to add fish.

I assume I'll only have a clownfish or two, a yellowtail damsel or two, maybe one other fish, some cleaner shrimp, a chocolate chip starfish, and some hermit crabs.

I'll do 10% water changes weekly and monitor the water parameters as wel
l.
Now, with all that being said, do I know what I'm doing? Am I going to have any unexpected suprises? PLEASE inform me on anything I didn't cover in this post, but don't be too mean because I'm a beginner and I'm learning and that's why I'm here=] Thanks.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Sounds like you're on the right track but IMO, 20 gallons is is only big enough for one, maybe two of the smallest fish. Ever think about a goby/ pistol shrimp pair? I don't think the CC star fish would do well in a 20 either (never had one so I could be wrong). HTH.

[Reefing Madness]

If your not goin with a Reef then "and" there are no Nitrates in the decholrinated water, then its ok to use. Otherwise you'll need RO/DI water. Other than that, Nitrites don't turn into Nitrates, the bacteria (Nitrates) grows and eats the Nitrites, water changes thereby remove the Trates, or some other means rid the tank of them. Your on the right track. You'll have to feed the star fish and hope he'll take it, your tank is really to new for them to thrive on their own. All the others you mentioned are good. Have at it, and good luck!!! You want the Nitrates below 20 before adding livestock.

[Mad Mead]

hello and welcome
nano tanks are small and tinny due to that up keep is a lot more. With that being said. All of your setup is right ( sand,rock,powerhead,so..)

I don't want a protein skimmer because I honestly don't have the money for one. I'd rather do water changes more often than purchase a protein skimmer. I also feel like I'll be okay since it's only gunna be a 20 gallon tank.

if you don't go with one your water change's should be 3 to 4 day. I do daily water tweaks.(my 7.5gal) no nitrates and phosphate. my tank is still new I have a skimmer to add if I feel it should be placed in. which should be now but that a different matter. My point is you can start with out one at first no big deal + you have to cycle out your tank all the time to save up and get one.

Water: if you can use DI water over Tap water just do it! The culligan man water is just fine as long as you see that the dispenser has been check out regularly. You should check this out What is Water Quality and How to Make a Successful Water Change
i feel like know a little but what can it hurt to read a bit more;)

You are stop on, when it comes down to ​ cycle the tank. Just know this take time. you want it to rise and fall more then once.. Do anything to soon while your still in a cycle..it will lead to

lastly Fish: now there are people who say 4 yeah its okay 4 fish no big deal WRONG. ​just like all things room to breath is everything. and poop don't forget pooop. Where does it go in a tank that small No where. so here one more link Strange Excrement from Fish -or- How to be a Super Pooper Snooper Now i'm not saying you can't have fish just not more then two at the max. i get one and watch it get big and then take him back to the store and get a new one...I feel as if I'm growing them up for big tank

So I have but a lot on ya. so take it all in and have fun with Starting your tank up. please keep asking Good Luck