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Help with setting up a 20L nano reef for the first time

S

sbelyo

Hello All...

I need help with setting up a nano reef for the first time. This is also my first time setting up a marine tank. I have kept fishtanks on and off over the last 25 years but I have never run a marine tank so I have a few basic questions.

1. When I make the saltwater for the first time I am planning to use 5 gal. Home Depot buckets. How long does it take the water to mix at room temperature if I put a pump in it? I see people leaving a powerhead in there for 24 Hrs. I'm just trying to figure out if I can make 20 gallons in a few hours with just the 5 gal buckets.

2. Should I get sand on the same day that I plan on making water and filling the tank? Then, getting live rock a day or two later.

Thanks
 
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Hawkeye

Hawkeye

if it's a brand new tank - there's no problem just putting the water direct in the tank and then mixing in there. Ideally of course you mix it first then add to tank. This would be the order (in a perfect world).

Do any plumbing work needed with tank - that includes ensuring you have the extension cords or dj panel.
http://www.amazon.com/American-DJ-PC-100A-Channel-Lighted/dp/B0002GL50Q

Then have water premixed 24 hrs.

Have cycled LR

Add sand (if desired) to bottom of tank. some people add pvc or similar structure to support the LR off the sandbed.

Add LR and configure in a design you like.

Add premixed water.

Turn on pumps etc.

If you decide on getting the LR after mixing the water you have to realize that the LR will displace a certain amount of water volume - so you can't fill up tank all the way. Also keep in mind uncycled lr will be a stinky affair.
 
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Fish Brain

Fish Brain

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
The last two tanks I set up i just mixed the water right in the tank. I filled the tank up with RO/DI water and added a heater and powerhead. When water was up to temp, I then add salt untill it was at the right SG. Waited 24 hours and rechecked salinity. I Then rinsed the sand in new saltwater (made in 5 gal home depot bucket ;) )and then added the sand to the tank. I let the dust settle for 24 hours and then added my live rock. Then it was just wait for it to cycle.
 
M

mnat

Officer Emeritus
Staff member
Moderator
What sort of setup are you shooting for? It is drilled or are you doing HOB? The advice above is pretty spot on.
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

spammers are not liked bruigmagema....
chimp.gif
 
Fish Brain

Fish Brain

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
sbelyo said:
Thanks guys...

I'm doing HOB
Click to expand...

I would strongly recommend drilling the tank with some form of overflow and adding a 10 gallon sump.

My first tank I setup was a regular 29 and I did HOB, it wasn't long before I realized I should have gone with an overflow. My 40B that was suspose to be temparary setup, I did as a HOB but now that it's going to be staying up as a FOWLR tank, I'm tearing it down and putting in an overflow this weekend.

A small tank will fill up with equipment really fast. Having the heater and filtration in the sump, and not the tank, makes for a much cleaner looking tank. Looking at my old 29 pictures and seeing everything hanging in and on the tank, I still regret not putting in an overflow. :(

Even my 20L frag tank, if I don't get my 65 up and running soon I will be drilling the 20 and adding an overflow on that tank also.
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
I agree with Thermosts. You would be much better off in the long run if you add an overflow before setting it all up. Not only will that elimate a lot of equipment in the display tank, but it will also give you more water volume to your system.

One of the drawbacks of a nano is the small water volume they hold. When the volume is low, any changes in water parameters are drastic. When the volume is high, then changes are more subtle... which means your inhabitants have more time to adjust to the change. So, adding a 10g or 20g sump tank will help you here.

You can get a nice overflow kit over at GlassHoles.com which provides the overflow box, bulkhead, drill bit, and a 90 elbow... everything you need.

As far as mixing salt, yes you can do it right in the tank for the initial setup. You can also mix right in a bucket too... but doing it 5g at a time can be a pain. You might want to look into getting a small Brute trash can or a larger drum to mix the salt in larger quantities. When you do it this way though, make sure add all the water first and then put the salt in. (Don't put enough salt for 20g in, then add water 5g at a time... that will cause a reaction to the calcium and mess up your salt mix.)

Also, since you're new to saltwater, I'll recommend that you use RODI water. Using pure/clean water is very important for marine tanks. You probably discovered that through research already, but figured I'd mention it just in case. ;)

Good luck with it and don't be shy asking questions. It's less embarrassing to ask a simple question than it is to admit you screwed up and ask for help fixing something.
 
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JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

Just one little thing, I would add live rock then sand around it. If you have any digging fish or animals they can destabilize your rock formations if they are placed on top of the sand.
 
SirFragalot

SirFragalot

JRWOHLER said:
Just one little thing, I would add live rock then sand around it. If you have any digging fish or animals they can destabilize your rock formations if they are placed on top of the sand.
Click to expand...

I can vouch for this. I have some yellow tail damsels that love to swish away the sand at the base of a certain rock I have. It managed to make a burrow so deep under the rock that it shifted and caused a mini rock slide.
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
And I recommend putting egg crate on the bottom glass, underneath your rock work. This will help stabilize it (the squares give it something to grip onto) and also helps cushion the bottom from any rocks that might tumble off the pile.
 
falconut

falconut

NJRC Member
Yeah, I wish I put my rock on the bottom. I have mine sitting on the sand, which I believe squashed a Jawfish when he was making a borrow.

I just added RO/DI water to my 90 and then added the saltmix. I let the system run for a day, then added some sand and cured LR from my old system. As others have said, if it is uncured, it will be smelly and cause a skimmer to go crazy for a while.

I didn't drill my 90 gallon, I just went with a Eshoppes overflow box with 2 U tubes and it works great. I just turn the pumps off and clean the tubes as they get dirty. Much less costly then drilling.
 
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