new nano

Well, you wanted an answer. So, the answer to what it would cost to build a 20G reef tank the correct way, with sump, all equipment, stocking, your looking at $3000-$4000. Not including livestock, just lighting, sump, skimmer, heater, reactors, pump, your looking at around $2000+. Good enough answer?
 
well the biocube/picotope will give you the lighting, filter bins, and tank. you will still need to buy a hydrometer, ro/di water, sand, live rock, TDS meter, test kits, SALT, likely an additional powerhead.. you will also probably want to upgrade the pump so you don't have heat issues as the pumps included with those systems are generally crappy..

also, the biocube comes in an 8g but not a 6.

i don't see any problem with setting up a 3g with some zoas or mushrooms, a shrimp and a couple snails/crabs. you just need to be realistic about the cost. its still going to cost you a few hundred dollars to setup the 3g.
 
I am sure there are, but I stated the "correct way".. Your not going to tell me these people with 20G reef setups are having a good/easy time keeping their water parameters stable without a sump are you?
 
Ace25 said:
I am sure there are, but I stated the "correct way".. Your not going to tell me these people with 20G reef setups are having a good/easy time keeping their water parameters stable without a sump are you?
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I dont have a sump on my 98 litre and my params are fine and my corals are growing very well. Weekly water changes and, depending on corals, the correct dosing during the week will negate needing a sump, not a 'must have', sorry
 
It is MUCH easier to do large and frequent water changes in a small tank than in a large tank. I have a 12G and swap out a 5 gallon bucket worth of water each week. My tank only prob holds 10 gallons after the LR and stuff so that is about a 50% water change.. try to do that every week in a 70G :) It replenishes elements easily without having to dose, etc..

a small tank is never going to be as stable as a large one, but manual maintenance is much easier on a small tank because of the scale..

as long as you are calculated and meticulous with maintenance, stock slowly and only what your tank can handle, i dont see what the problem is..

I personally will eventually add a sump to my tank - but I don't see why it is at all considered a necessity.
 
I had to learn the hard way that a sump really is a necessity on a reef tank. On a FOWLR not so much.

Look at the link on my sig, it shows the progress of my years of tanks. I will say, that once I added a sump/refugium and got meticulous with doing 5G a DAY in water changes just to keep all the parameters stable my tank has been PERFECT in water quality. I am talking down to things like Silica, Strontium, Iodine, Magnesium, etc.

Just this month I spent another $600 on my tank. Replaced my skimmer for the 4th time to finally a Remora. Also changed out my 2x65w PC light for a 4x24w T5HO light and now I have 3x the PAR lighting.
 
Ace25 said:
I had to learn the hard way that a sump really is a necessity on a reef tank. On a FOWLR not so much.

Look at the link on my sig, it shows the progress of my years of tanks. I will say, that once I added a sump/refugium and got meticulous with doing 5G a DAY in water changes just to keep all the parameters stable my tank has been PERFECT in water quality. I am talking down to things like Silica, Strontium, Iodine, Magnesium, etc.

Just this month I spent another $600 on my tank. Replaced my skimmer for the 4th time to finally a Remora. Also changed out my 2x65w PC light for a 4x24w T5HO light and now I have 3x the PAR lighting.
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Think you may find that a sump is not a necessity:

http://www.ultimatereef.com/TOTM/2008_february/
 
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