20g options?

wwildcats04

wwildcats04

Kyle
Mar 10, 2005
619
0
0
40
Columbus, OH
thinking about turning a 20g long into a Sw tank. Right now it has a 65w 50/50 10000k PC light fixture on it. I was wondering what a few of my options may be. Also, would I need a protein skimmer for such a small tank? I like clown fish a lot, those file fish and such are neat, and I also like some of the dwarf angels. I enjoy star fish a lot, shrimp, crabs etc. I would like to try some corals if at all possible. Basically I want to do the best thing I can possibly do with that tank. I would most likely be willing to purchase another lighting fixture as well for it if need be.
 
There are some corals that will do allright with the light you have, although most would prefer twice that amount.

I like having a skimmer. It aerates very effectively, and keeps the water a lot cleaner.

For a tank that size, 4 smallish fish would be about as much as I would put in. A pair of clowns would be very happy there. A serpent star, some hermits, snails and shrimp would all be fine.

The main things I would encourage are about 1-2 lbs live rock and a lot of circulation. Like turning over the tank 10-20 times per hour. Powerheads, HOB filters, or a closed loop are all good to add circulation.
 
what would be some smallish fish? would it be possible to put two ocelaris clowns and one of those firefish and maybe something else. And than also adding the starfish etc or would the starfish and such be included in one of my 4 smalish fish. Im prob for sure going to get another one of the same lights that I have already that way I can get most of the corals and such. As far as the skimmer goes, would one of these work?
 
The clowns and firefish would be a good load. I think of inverts separately, so that they wouldn't figure into the four-or-so fish.

I have read too many threads by people who have used skilters, seaclones and prizms to recommend them. There are a few exceptions, but most people finally junk them, and therefore waste the initial investment. The CPR bakpak and coralife superskimmer have both worked well for me on small tanks, and the AquaC remora gets good reviews.
 
so if it was your tank what would you put in there... I think I really want the two clowns and the firefish for sure because I really like them. What kind of annenome would be good and how do you know when your tank is good enough for them? Also... I have read that chocolate chip sea stars are no bueno which stinks because I really like them... I dont think I want the common brittle star I want something you dont see every day any suggestions, thats pretty much what I want for all of my charges. I really like those black sea urchins as well.
 
If it were my tank, I would go with a pair of ocellaris or percula clowns, and maybe a couple of captive-bred pajama or banggai cardinals. Firefish are great, but I have never kept them. I hope others will insert their 0.02.

Aside from the relatively dull serpent and brittle stars, there are few that will thrive in a small tank. The colorful linckia and fromia have a tendency to melt down, and generally need a lot more space to graze. I like urchins, and they are easy to keep in large tanks, but may bulldoze too much and not find enough food in a small tank.

I would skip the anemone for the first 6 months to a year that you are keeping the tank. It's not just that the tank needs to be ready, but you need to get a good feel for how to manage the tank without drastic changes. The clowns will be quite happy without an anemone.
 
So you would recomend against one of those black urchins for my tank. It has a pretty large foot print 30"X12". I understand what your saying though... I guess I'll have to get one of those brite red serpent stars or something. That stinks about waiting for the annenome but your right, I cant jump the gun. I have found a website, saltwaterfish.com and realize they ship for free! There are a couple of inverts on there that I really like. I like the porcelain, boxing, and hawaiian strawberry crabs. would they be okay or no? Also, how are cucumbers and nudibranches? There is a cool snail called a queen conch as well. The problem with that website is they do not really give a whole lot of info about their specimens unlike drfostersmith.com.
 
I keep a pencil urchin in my 10 gallon tank...has been happy for as long as I've had it, which is 6 months...finds plenty of stuff to eat (based on the large amount he excretes not too daintily).
 
I would hold off one the urchin, but don't feel that strongly about it. You can always throw in some nori.

Porcelain crabs: I have had two species, both have been ideal inhabitants. They scavenge and filter feed. I haven't tried the brightly colored ones that live in anemones, and don't know how well they do on their own.

Boxing crabs: My understanding is that they lose their anemones after they molt, and don't do well. Never tried them, though.

The strawberry crab looks like a troublemaker, but I know nothing about it. Cucumbers can do OK, depending on the species, and how much food they get. Very few species of nudis will survive in an aquarium. They are specialist feeders, and we aquarists can rarely provide the right food. The conch will be a good sand sifter, but will outgrow the tank.

Wow, what a downer I can be.
 
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