converting FW 20 long to SW

Brian Bivens

Labeotropheus Trawavasae
Jun 8, 2007
886
0
16
44
Colorado Springs
Howdy folks.. I have a 20 long with an AC 30, AC 30 PH and a Pennplax 150 HOB. I was thinking about doing a FOWLR. (maybe a few low light corals?). The light on the tank is just a standard one bulb All Glass light for 30/20 long.

My thoughts were to have a couple of fish max, a small clean up crew, 1-2 inch sand bed and 15 lbs of live rock.

With my current filtration, and light, is this possible?
 
I've never done FOWLR so, I don't know about the light for that. However, if you want to add any corals, then no, your light isn't sufficient.

If all you want is low light corals, then a power compact fixture would do fine. The 20 long is fairly shallow right? However, as I'm finding out, what you want when you start and what you want a few months later can be widely different. Get the best light you can afford.

That being said, the rest sounds pretty good. It's not too different from what I have on my 44 hex.

Just take it very, very slow. The slower you cycle the tank and everything else, the better it will be.

I would suggest that you by 10 pounds of base/dead rock and then add 5 pounds of fully cure live rock. That will save a lot of headaches and water changes during the cycle.
 
Any fish recommendations for my tank set up?
 
I've never done FOWLR so, I don't know about the light for that. However, if you want to add any corals, then no, your light isn't sufficient.

If all you want is low light corals, then a power compact fixture would do fine. The 20 long is fairly shallow right? However, as I'm finding out, what you want when you start and what you want a few months later can be widely different. Get the best light you can afford.

That being said, the rest sounds pretty good. It's not too different from what I have on my 44 hex.

Just take it very, very slow. The slower you cycle the tank and everything else, the better it will be.

I would suggest that you by 10 pounds of base/dead rock and then add 5 pounds of fully cure live rock. That will save a lot of headaches and water changes during the cycle.


I would never suggest doing a water change while the cycle is running anyway...just a large one when the cycle is complete.
 
I would never suggest doing a water change while the cycle is running anyway...just a large one when the cycle is complete.

If there's critters you want to keep, then the you have to do water changes to keep the ammonia less than 1.

Anyway, look up nano marine fish for suggested fish species. Keep in mind that some of the smaller carnivores need to be fed multiple times per day.
 
I am looking for as simple a salt set up as possible, while still being very attractive to look at.
 
you can get smaller gobys
types of darters(firefish, purple firefish)
Cardinals (pajama cardinals, orange lined cardinal fish)
Jawfish
Smaller wrasses
Clownfish
so you have a good option adn these have a lot of color
 
I did it!!! I set it up. I got 17 lbs of uncured live rock, and 30 lbs of argonite sand, and have the tank set up with everything in. I mixed the instant ocean according to the directions, however the hydrometer I bought was broken in the package...

Will have to get it replaced to test.

Just so you know, I will be doing a fishless cycle with ammonia. Does anyone have any other tips for me as I go>?
 
also, is instant ocean the only additive needed for my water, besides Prime?
 
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