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post-87772-0-71483100-1428180948_thumb.jpgHi.. I am 11 and I have loved marine life and biology since I was really little. (like 2) I have been begging my parents for a salt water tank and they finally decided to let me buy one. I went to Big Al's fish imp in Canada. I have a 20 gallon tank, 30 lb of coral sand and 20 lb of live rock. We set it up last night and it seems to be working well. I think I will need a heater but the sales person suggested monitoring the tank for a few days to see. She said it should be around 26 and it is 23. Water cleared really quickly and live rock looks awesome. Any suggestions on whether or not to get a protein skimmer would be greatly appreciated. Also recommendations for water test kits and salt levels would be great. I have a penguin bio wheel T150 and aquatic life fluorescent light with blue and white bulbs. I am thinking I would like to put in some corals, anemone, a fire shrimp, and crab in a couple of weeks and then start adding a couple of fish slowly in 4 or five weeks. I am thinking snowflake ocelaris clown, Banggi cardinal and possibly a goby. Any recommendations or info on anything would be appreciated. I am looking for as much info as possible. research is key. :)

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First and foremost, welcome to NanoReef!

 

I would recommend purchasing a heater simply because they help keep water temperatures stable. As for your other questions, I'm sure others with more experience will answer them soon enough - I haven't started a saltwater tank yet as I'm currently researching and saving up, but have had freshwater ones for a while.

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PathOfDeception

I would definitely get a heater 75W-100W to ensure stable levels. You would not want your investment to go to waste. As for corals and anemone in a couple of week that is a definite no no. Let your tank cycle, get test kits. If you are on a budget get the api kit. Once your cycle is complete you can then add your first hardy fish and then let the tank stabilize for a month. Most if not all more experienced reefers (I'm fairly new but reading on it daily) will tell you to wait no less than 6 months before adding an anemone.

 

Keep in mind each new addition to your tank you will want to give it time to stabilize in your system. I've been adding slowly and everything is great and growing coraline like crazy after 3-4 weeks. My tests proves that taking your time will definitely help your long term success.

 

A 20 gallon tank (I have a 20 Long) is a tank that will require lots of testing and lots of careful attention. Your parameters can swing and they will swing fast. I'm fighting with temps with 2 heaters in(2x50W)(Please get a heater). Salinity will swing in 1 day of evaporation water, not enough to stress your system but if we get lazy only once we could get very important losses/deaths in the tank.

 

Be diligent on your weekly water changes, filter cleaning and such. Protein skimmers people will tell you yes get one if you can afford it. If combined with diligent water changes you will have pristine water. I would recommend one but they are not necessary on a 20 gall. Some people could disagree with me and I can understand why as well.

 

Also please use reef crystals for your salt as they will have all the essential trace elements required for when your tank becomes a reef. I recommend starting at 1.025 salinity as it will give you room for evap mistakes as a beginner(I made and learned from these mistakes and bought an auto top off unit).

 

I hope this helps, other more experience reefers can feel free to correct me if needed but those have been my experiences and I am having lots of early success ever since I setup my tank.

 

Best of luck and have fun!


Also make sure you get some flow in there Hydor Koralia 425 powerheads are very affordable and bring in lots of flow in 20 gallons.

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sedatedlabmonkey

Hi. I'm truly impressed if indeed you are an 11 year old. I work at a big retail pet supply store (we sell fish but only fresh water :-( ) I quite often get to help people, young and old, get started with their first or second aquariums. It sounds like you've done some research already and are now on your way to a new reef tank!

 

I will echo what others have said about getting a good quality heater. Stable temperatures are essential to any aquarium, I'm using an Aqueon Pro 100 watt in my 25 gallon and it seems to work well. I would like to upgrade to something better like a cobalt neo therm heater.http://www.bigalspets.com/neo-therm-heater-100-w.html

 

Get the heater installed and adjusted to 78-80° f or 25-26°c

 

The tank will usually need to cycle for 2 to 3 weeks before you can really add much to it.

 

It is a long wait but it is very much worth being patient. Let me know if this helps. I would be glad to answer any questions you may have.

 

There are lots of smart people here as well.

 

Welcome to nano-reef

 

-tristan

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righttirefire

The only thing that happens fast is misfortune. My tank cycled in 2 weeks. Take it slow. Good luck

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Welcome to Nano-Reef!

 

I am very excited for you to get to enjoy a reef tank at your age. I was only ever able to maintain freshwater growing up.

 

Patience is the most important thing for you to understand right now. It is also the hardest. Adding livestock (coral, fish, etc.) to your tank is something that we all want to do right away, but any experienced reefer will urge you to wait things out. Testing your tank every few days during the cycle for Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates will help you follow the progression of your cycle. I just cycled a 20g total system and it took me 46 days using only 10 lbs of live sand and dry rock. I use the Red Sea test kit for these 3 elements.

 

As for salt (salinity) I keep my tanks at 1.025-1.026.

 

Do get a heater as others recommend. 75-100w will work well. Set it at 78 (25-26).

 

Be careful with the fish you add. Shoot for something hardy, but peaceful therefore you do not cause issues for newcomers down the road.

 

Have fun. This hobby is truly a pleasure. You can learn so much in the process about marine life and biology. You are going to love it!

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Wow Tristan.. Thank you so much! Your info is super helpful! And ya.. I'm 11. :) I have loved marine life since I was really little though and done a lot of research over the years. The Neo Therm Heater looks really awesome. I'll check it out a Big Al's today. What happens if there is a power outage in the night. It never seems to happen where I live but you never know. Also is it better to do 2 50W or 1 100? My mom thinks I should do 2 50 for more even temp and if one breaks the other is back up for a little bit.

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Welcome to Nano-Reef!

 

I am very excited for you to get to enjoy a reef tank at your age. I was only ever able to maintain freshwater growing up.

 

Patience is the most important thing for you to understand right now. It is also the hardest. Adding livestock (coral, fish, etc.) to your tank is something that we all want to do right away, but any experienced reefer will urge you to wait things out. Testing your tank every few days during the cycle for Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates will help you follow the progression of your cycle. I just cycled a 20g total system and it took me 46 days using only 10 lbs of live sand and dry rock. I use the Red Sea test kit for these 3 elements.

 

As for salt (salinity) I keep my tanks at 1.025-1.026.

 

Do get a heater as others recommend. 75-100w will work well. Set it at 78 (25-26).

 

Be careful with the fish you add. Shoot for something hardy, but peaceful therefore you do not cause issues for newcomers down the road.

 

Have fun. This hobby is truly a pleasure. You can learn so much in the process about marine life and biology. You are going to love it!

Thank you so much! I will try to find the Red Sea test kit this am. The lady at Big Al's suggested that I add 1/2 a bottle of Colony Marine when I set up the tank to help it cycle. Then I am suppose to add about 6-7 oz every 2 weeks with my 20% water change. Does that sound right? We just buy the pre mixed water from Big Al's. (Eventually I will try to mix my own but for now I am trying to keep everything as stable as possible.) Clowns are suppose to be hardy and peaceful right? Should they go in first or do I need to wait 6 months until I have and anemone?

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Welcome!! I'm new as well! This is a fun hobby and a great learning experience.

 

Clowns are suppose to be hardy and peaceful right? Should they go in first or do I need to wait 6 months until I have and anemone?

 

You don't need to have an anemone with clowns actually. They will host other things as well which is great. Mine have started hosting a toadstool leather I've got (sarcophyton sp.).

 

My clowns are pretty peaceful, however, I don't have any other fish in there yet. I started my tank up in January and am just starting to add corals and such. Enjoy!

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PathOfDeception

Wow Tristan.. Thank you so much! Your info is super helpful! And ya.. I'm 11. :) I have loved marine life since I was really little though and done a lot of research over the years. The Neo Therm Heater looks really awesome. I'll check it out a Big Al's today. What happens if there is a power outage in the night. It never seems to happen where I live but you never know. Also is it better to do 2 50W or 1 100? My mom thinks I should do 2 50 for more even temp and if one breaks the other is back up for a little bit.

Personally 2x50W heaters is a must. This is what I am using and yes if one breaks my system will not be done for if I am away for a little while. The thing is I have to dial mine at about 75-76 each to get the 79F that I aim for. You will learn over time with your lighting which settings they should be on. You will always be tweaking trust me, it's all part of the fun.

 

 

 

Thank you so much! I will try to find the Red Sea test kit this am. The lady at Big Al's suggested that I add 1/2 a bottle of Colony Marine when I set up the tank to help it cycle. Then I am suppose to add about 6-7 oz every 2 weeks with my 20% water change. Does that sound right? We just buy the pre mixed water from Big Al's. (Eventually I will try to mix my own but for now I am trying to keep everything as stable as possible.) Clowns are suppose to be hardy and peaceful right? Should they go in first or do I need to wait 6 months until I have and anemone?

Clowfish are very hardy and fun, they do not need an anemone to survive(mine host a corner with a powerhead). My pair is doing great and was added shortly after end of cycle. Clownfish are a bit messy so waiting a got 3 weeks to a month for another fish so your system can adjust is a good idea. Right now your focus is to wait for that brown diatom algae to grow in your tank. When you have a considerable amount you will have to go to Big Als(I got there too!) and get your cleanup crew(I recommend you add few members at a time). Once your cleanup crew is established for some weeks you can think about a second fish. Feed lightly, it is very easy to overfeed. High protein foods like the cobalt brand(over 50% proteins) will ensure your fish keeps it's color and health.

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righttirefire

Clowns can be territorial. I haven't added clowns yet. Do your reasearch. YouTube I another great place. I like the coralfish12g videos

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Personally 2x50W heaters is a must. This is what I am using and yes if one breaks my system will not be done for if I am away for a little while. The thing is I have to dial mine at about 75-76 each to get the 79F that I aim for. You will learn over time with your lighting which settings they should be on. You will always be tweaking trust me, it's all part of the fun.

 

 

 

Clowfish are very hardy and fun, they do not need an anemone to survive(mine host a corner with a powerhead). My pair is doing great and was added shortly after end of cycle. Clownfish are a bit messy so waiting a got 3 weeks to a month for another fish so your system can adjust is a good idea. Right now your focus is to wait for that brown diatom algae to grow in your tank. When you have a considerable amount you will have to go to Big Als(I got there too!) and get your cleanup crew(I recommend you add few members at a time). Once your cleanup crew is established for some weeks you can think about a second fish. Feed lightly, it is very easy to overfeed. High protein foods like the cobalt brand(over 50% proteins) will ensure your fish keeps it's color and health.

Awesome. You are great! I read I need 1 cleaner per gallon so 20 but Big Al's said a couple fire shrimp and crabs should be perfect. There seems to be a lot of opinions and not a lot of agreement. What do you think? Thank you!

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righttirefire

I think 1 per gallon is too much. And you'll find a lot of debate on this site about that. I have a snail only clean up crew. 2 astrea, 1 turbo, 1 cerith, and 1 nassarius snail. And we have the "same" 20 gallon tall tank

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PathOfDeception

Awesome. You are great! I read I need 1 cleaner per gallon so 20 but Big Al's said a couple fire shrimp and crabs should be perfect. There seems to be a lot of opinions and not a lot of agreement. What do you think? Thank you!

Use my 20 gallon as an example, you will see what works and doesn't for you. I have 3 cerith snails, 3 trochus snails, 1 Fighting conch, 1 ninja star snail, 1 blue leg hermit crab and 1 red leg, also an emerald crab. For shrimps I like to consider them as a slightly bigger part of your bioload and I personally would not add what I have (I have 1 little peppermint, 1 cleaner and 1 fire shrimp). Now the fact that my tank is long and they all have caves (I got lucky they picked separate ones) helps with aggression. Keep in mind shrimps are territorial with their own kinds. My fire tells off my cleaner sometimes during feedings. If I had to keep one I would keep the cleaner. Not as nice but much more help in the tank IMO.

The conch has been the biggest helper, amazing!

 

In the end it's not how many you have for your tank it's how many you have for the job that is required. My cleanup crew is keeping everything in check and I supplement their diet with seaweed mini pellets.

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wow I'm impressed, pleased your parents are supporting your passion and very impressed at the amount of effort you are putting into this.

Good luck with your new set up, sorry but I will leave it to those who know more than me to give you the advice, there are some wonderfully helpful people here.

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NorthGaHillbilly

First off, its great to see someone so young being passionate about this great hobby

 

Second, go slow and dont over think things. A 20 gallon tank is plenty large to have a relatively stable system, especially if you keep up your water changes. Go slow, and I would really suggest starting with soft corals, zoas, shrooms, that kind of thing. Its easy to get caught up in all the advice you will get thrown your way, but you can easily keep a healthy and thriving tank with a source of water flow, a heater and your live rock.

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First off, its great to see someone so young being passionate about this great hobby

 

Second, go slow and dont over think things. A 20 gallon tank is plenty large to have a relatively stable system, especially if you keep up your water changes. Go slow, and I would really suggest starting with soft corals, zoas, shrooms, that kind of thing. Its easy to get caught up in all the advice you will get thrown your way, but you can easily keep a healthy and thriving tank with a source of water flow, a heater and your live rock.

Thank you! My family has noticed there is a lot of advice and opinions even in books. What I am really hoping for in a year or so is a reef that has a couple of clowns, a goby and a couple other things as well as cleaners and thriving corals. (I like he frog spawn coral and torch corals but I have to do some research on how they behave together and with the fish I want. The fish guy at Big Al's has been helping me. ) I am really excited.

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Just did my first water test. My ph is at 8. Ammonia is at 0 Nitrate is at 0 and Nitrite is also at 0. Big Al's does free water testing so my parents are going to take me next week and see how the cycle is going. I got the Hydor Koralia 425 that Tristan suggested and a Eheim Jager 100 W heater (I was going to get the Neo Therm that was suggested but they did not have any. They were out of aqua pro and the girl at Big Al's said she uses Eheim and loves them. (She has a 130 Gallon reef) The flow has gotten WAY better with the Hydor Koralia 425 and the temp is already up to 25. Just trying to watch youtube and read books to get as much info as possible. Thank you to all of you for all your great ideas and help. :)

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Just did my first water test. My ph is at 8. Ammonia is at 0 Nitrate is at 0 and Nitrite is also at 0. Big Al's does free water testing so my parents are going to take me next week and see how the cycle is going. I got the Hydor Koralia 425 that Tristan suggested and a Eheim Jager 100 W heater (I was going to get the Neo Therm that was suggested but they did not have any. They were out of aqua pro and the girl at Big Al's said she uses Eheim and loves them. (She has a 130 Gallon reef) The flow has gotten WAY better with the Hydor Koralia 425 and the temp is already up to 25. Just trying to watch youtube and read books to get as much info as possible. Thank you to all of you for all your great ideas and help. :)

If you have only been set up for a couple days, your cycle hasn't started yet. Take your time and keep researching. Give it a couple weeks with stable Temps and then you'll see changes in your water chemistry.
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Thank you so much! I will try to find the Red Sea test kit this am. The lady at Big Al's suggested that I add 1/2 a bottle of Colony Marine when I set up the tank to help it cycle. Then I am suppose to add about 6-7 oz every 2 weeks with my 20% water change. Does that sound right? We just buy the pre mixed water from Big Al's. (Eventually I will try to mix my own but for now I am trying to keep everything as stable as possible.) Clowns are suppose to be hardy and peaceful right? Should they go in first or do I need to wait 6 months until I have and anemone?

 

I am not so sure about doing a water change during the cycle. Personally I waited until day 45 which was when my nitrates maintained 7 ppm, then 50% water change and my nitrates balanced at 0.

 

Again, patience is so very important.

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PathOfDeception

Just did my first water test. My ph is at 8. Ammonia is at 0 Nitrate is at 0 and Nitrite is also at 0. Big Al's does free water testing so my parents are going to take me next week and see how the cycle is going. I got the Hydor Koralia 425 that Tristan suggested and a Eheim Jager 100 W heater (I was going to get the Neo Therm that was suggested but they did not have any. They were out of aqua pro and the girl at Big Al's said she uses Eheim and loves them. (She has a 130 Gallon reef) The flow has gotten WAY better with the Hydor Koralia 425 and the temp is already up to 25. Just trying to watch youtube and read books to get as much info as possible. Thank you to all of you for all your great ideas and help. :)

I am glad you got a Koralia 425, those things are affordable and move a lot of water in our 20 gallons. make sure it is causing a ripple at the water surface for some good oxygen exchange. Your cycle will take a while but test it every few days!

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Welcome to nano-reef :)

 

I would do some research on using a biowheel in a reef set up. My understanding is they are very good at converting ammonia and nitrite to nitrate. So good that it could cause nitrate problems in your tank. However, I have never used one personally.

 

Aqua Clears are popular on reef tanks since you can add the whatever media (carbon, purigen, filter floss) you want.

 

Be sure to keep the sandbed clean, it looks fairly deep. You are off to a great start :)

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