Hi all!

Well I have been doing research on and off for about a year and a half and am almost ready
to take the plunge. This will be my first reef tank. But hopefully not my last!

I have decided on a 20 long.

1. I am about to order two Hydor Koralia Nano - 256 GPH powerheads.
Do you all think that would be too much flow. Rock work would be down the middle of
tank, so corals and other life can be viewed from both long sides.

2. Lighting. Like t5ho. Do you think a fixture with 4 bulbs are needed or just 2? Which would be better?
Will have soft corals only probably.

3. Will have 80 percent base rock with some nice cured live pieces mixed in. And some live sand from
LFS tanks. Plus dry new sand.
Do you think 2 months may be long enough for it to seed before starting to add life??

Thanks!!

Koralia nanos suck seriously, no flow at all. Id go with two k2s

Koralia nanos are great for small tanks. However, two K2's might be too much flow for a 20L. I'd go with two K1's.

Wow that might be a good thing, because the K1's are half price at Big Al's. They are the same price as
the nanos right now. Sweet.

1. I'd get two K1's.

2. Get the 4 bulb. I have 6 bulbs 108 watts on a 29.

3. Time will tell. Add your livestock slowly.

Good Luck. Post some pics when you start.

4 bulbs is best for soft corals, though they may survive under two. The main benefit is you get more leeway in bulb choices, whereas a two-bulb fixture means you need to focus more on growth at the expense of bulbs that give good colors. Also, note that there is no real 30" fixture (only 24" and 36" bulbs), so if you do get a 30" fixture, it will have 24" bulbs staggered like this:
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Some people have had success with just a normal 4x24 fixture.

+1 to adding livestock slowly when you're starting with a lot of dry rock. Adding the clean up crew as soon as the cycle is over will help to slow any algae blooms on the previously dead rock.

Just ordered the two K1's and the reef master test kit.
Over the next couple weeks will be aquiring more supplies.

Still uncertain on a light. I want the best light 100$ will get me.

Any ideas?

I will update when things get going!

Thanks for the input!

Received my order and realized the reef master kit from api does not include tests
for nitrite and ammonia. Damn!

Just ordered a bag of Tropic Marin salt and the api saltwater master test kit.
Getting closer, but still taking it slow....obviously.

I had a question. The 12 pounds of base rock I purchased is not smooth at all.
It is jagged and real rough but tons of holes throughout. Does this sound like the type I need to use.
It was the only thing at the LFS and did not resemble their live rock in their tanks.

?????

Jagged and full of holes is good. Usual rule for rock is the more porous the better.

I got the reef master kit then realized it doesn't test for nitrites so i had to buy the normal kit too. Just a heads up.

I've been waiting for months for fishneedit.com to finish redesigning their 4 bulb 24" so I could put one on my 20L. As far as I know, it's the only 4 bulb for under $100. I could be wrong - anyone know?

Who knows when the 4 bulb fixtures will be done. I emailed him last night about it and he has no idea when he'll get them in. I'm almost at the point of ordering two of the 2 bulbs for my tank, or just one and using it to get my tank started and wait it out for the 4x24

I got a 36" fixture for my 29... The hang over is quite minimal and there's much less shadowing towards the edge.

I am thinking about doing the same. Buying two 2 bulb fixtures. I need to decide quick as I am almost ready
to start cycling and seeding the base rock and live rock.

Theres that option, and theres the other option I've been considering which is a Nova Extreme SLR.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...fm?pcatid=16770

Its about a 40 dollar difference after buying two fixtures and shipping for me.