NanoCube's

[tranceFusion]

Yeah I mean people use the all-in-ones for freshwater planted tanks too, so you are paying for a bunch of stuff that isn't necessary.. filter media, etc. Plus for a reef it is usually recommended to upgrade to a stronger, cooler pump and add a powerhead..

so basically when you are crunching numbers, think of the all-in-one as nothing more than lights and tank..

 

[phreakkn0t]

Good to know, thank you very much because you helped me make up my mind and go for a standard tank. Would a 24inch 65w compact flourescent light strip be able to support corals in a 20L? thats 3.25watts/gallon. If it can support corals, what kind?

These are the strips Im looking at:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+11418&pcatid=11418
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+9871&pcatid=9871

Also, does anyone know anything about this Filter/Skimmer:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4392+3641&pcatid=3641

 

[scootrnerd]

that lighting might work for some softies i wouldn't do lps or sps under it.

 

[phreakkn0t]

How about zoas and mushrooms? can those be kept? what is the watts/gallon for various types of corals?

 

[scootrnerd]

well i keep only soft corals in my 55 i did have only 200 watts of pc lighting wich is almost 4 watts per gallon. and they did fine i now have 400 watts of pc lighting and they do allot better! and it depends on the specific coral/light/tank there is no set parameters . most ppl say a good rule for softies is 4 watts per gallon. however just for instants its a 20 tall. if you had 80 watts of pc lighting it wouldn't reach to the bottom with that very affectively. but with a 20 long you could get by with 3.5-4 watts per gallon. i have a 20 long frag tank with only 64 watts t-5. but they are on racks an inch or so from the top of the tank.

 

[phreakkn0t]

Are Zoas and Mushrooms considered softies?

I think I might start with a FOWLR tank and a standard tank hood with a flourescent tube. LR does not require any sort of specific Watt/Gal to maintain bacteria levels do they? A FOWLR tank can thrive at very low lighting, such as 1 W/G correct?

If I decide to take the plunge into a reef tank down the road I will look into the 130W PC strip lights

Any comments on that Skimmer/Filter?

can 2 or 3 gobies and a clown or firefish live comfortably in a 20L or is that overstocked?

 

[scootrnerd]

yes zoanthids and mushrooms or softies depends on the gobies. i dont know about that filter haven't used one. no lr doesn't need a specific wpg ratio .