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20 gallon long build


metalhed3

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So I've been away for quite some time (about 7 years) and want to get going on a "larger" tank again now that I'm settled in my new place.

 

Background; years ago I had a 10 gallon for about a year, then converted my 75 gallon oscar tank to saltwater and transfered/added from the 10 gallon. Had that up and running for about a year before I had to move and left it with a friend. It was still a work in progress when I moved, but was stable and looked good. So I chalked it up as a win.

 

So, I'm no expert in saltwater as much as I am freshwater, but I'm not a greenhorn either. I've had a stable 3 gallon tank for a little over 3 years. I was going to make it a mini reef but settled for a single clown display. Very simple but love the way it looks.

 

My plan is to take a 20 gallon long tank and move the 3 gallon into that. I'd like to write up a quick run down of the cycling process I plan on doing and let you guys critique it and let me know whats wrong. (like I said, I've been out of it for awhile)

 

1. Tank is cleaned and filled. I've got a small power head mixing the salt now to reach proper SG.

2. Once SG is reached, add 20lbs of sand and about 30lbs dry live rock.

3. Move bag of biomaterial from 3 gallon tank next to second powerhead pumping ~500gph to really start moving water around. Also add live rock and sand from 3 gallon tank. Run small canister filter to clear the water and add water movement. Monitor levels.

4. Wait? Water changes

5. Add clown from 3 gallon and continue to monitor levels.

 

I'm hoping that with the already established nano tank, the cycling process will be shortened. Or am I just being optimistic? Also, I'll be running LED lighting. What should the light cycle be for the tank cycling period?

 

I'll be providing pictures along the way

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A couple of thoughts:

  • 30 lbs of dry rock might look a little full (if you've already purchased it, you might just pick out you're favorite pieces to create your aquascape)
  • I would establish a biofilter on the dry rock before transferring the live rock or contents of your pico (use Dr.Tim's One and Only and Dr.Tim's Amonium to get an established notifying bacteria population on the rock first). This will prevent an ammonia spike and help retain all of the life on your live rock.
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That was kind of my plan. What I ordered comes in larger pieces and I'm going to end up smashing it to pieces and gluing everything back together. It was free shipping, and if I would have went with 20lbs it would have cost the same with shipping.

 

I'm going to let it sit for about a month with a lb of rock, sand and a bag of bio pellets I have stuffed in the overflow from my nano just to help it along.

 

I managed to set up the shelf (old dresser with the drawers removed) and level it out. My apartment is like a fun house so it took some doing.

 

Besides that it should be up and running next week. I'll throw up pictures next week.

 

What should my light cycle be throughout the process?

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I had a really good looking 20L in the past, one of my favorite tank sizes. What are you going to be using for filtration on this thing? I added a sump to mine with a CPR overflow box and was able to hide all the equipment, which was nice.

 

Your plan sounds good. The more biomedia you can add from your existing tank, the easier the cycle will be. If you have the time, let the 20L sit as long as you can stand it. Get that biofilter really cooking, grow some pods, etc. This will give you greater success when you do complete the transfer or add fish/corals. Although I know the advice of hurry up and wait sucks to hear, it helps. I'm cycling a new tank right now and I'm not even contemplating fish for another month or two.

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I had a really good looking 20L in the past, one of my favorite tank sizes. What are you going to be using for filtration on this thing? I added a sump to mine with a CPR overflow box and was able to hide all the equipment, which was nice.

 

Your plan sounds good. The more biomedia you can add from your existing tank, the easier the cycle will be. If you have the time, let the 20L sit as long as you can stand it. Get that biofilter really cooking, grow some pods, etc. This will give you greater success when you do complete the transfer or add fish/corals. Although I know the advice of hurry up and wait sucks to hear, it helps. I'm cycling a new tank right now and I'm not even contemplating fish for another month or two.

 

I would have liked a 40 breeder, but I had this 20 from breeding rats for my snakes. So I cleaned it up really good and now its all set up. Ive got a mini HOB canister (80gph) with a filter media to grab the big chunks, and it came with bio pellets to add my existing ones to. LR is also added and I took as mush water from the 3 gallon as I could. Once the dry rock gets cycled, Id like to remove the HOB filter entirely, but I know thats pretty far off.

Ive also got a 500gph powerhead and another 250gph powerhead.

Lighting is custom LED I built from scratch, so we'll see how zoas do under it once the tank cycles.

Trying to figure out how to upload images and its a PITA. I'll get em soon

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Trying to figure out how to upload images and its a PITA. I'll get em soon

You'd be better off putting your pics on a photo hosting site, and linking the URL using the Image button on the message toolbar.

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You'd be better off putting your pics on a photo hosting site, and linking the URL using the Image button on the message toolbar.

I tried using imageshack with no luck. its not supported on this website

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I am not fully cycled. pulled everything from my 3 gallon tank (rock, sand, water, bio pellets) so there shouldnt be to much of a cycle to it *fingers crossed

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I am not fully cycled. pulled everything from my 3 gallon tank (rock, sand, water, bio pellets) so there shouldnt be to much of a cycle to it *fingers crossed

How old was your 3 gallon? I would be worried that it wouldn't be enough to kick start the 20 gallon upgrade. I've never moved tanks though, so I wouldn't know.

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How old was your 3 gallon? I would be worried that it wouldn't be enough to kick start the 20 gallon upgrade. I've never moved tanks though, so I wouldn't know.

 

I established the 3 gallon back July 2012

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  • 2 weeks later...

The tanks about 3 weeks in now. Copepods or amphlipods have bloomed and are calmed down already. Levels in the tank are remaining stable and I'm running to the fish store for a clean up crew later today and maybe a chromi or 2.

 

So I went ahead and swapped out some white lights for blue. I like it a lot more and it really makes the purple pop. Plus the growth of the hair algae on the sandbed means to me that the lighting can sustain coral throughout the tank.

 

2Q2tQHV.jpg

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