My goal with this thread is to get a realistic price point and equipment list so I can start budgeting and planning a 20 long saltwater build. This isn’t anything I am in a rush for, as it may be close to a year before I can get it setup, but it is nice to know what to expect. I want to start with a FOWLR and when I’m ready move to some basic corals. I know this size is not ideal for a sw beginner, but I’m ok with the challenges of a smaller tank size. I’ve been researching and reading and want to get opinions and suggestions on what I think will be needed.
I will be using an ac70 fuge mod with chaeto and filter floss. No sump as space is at a premium. I’d like to place the heater inside and I’ve heard the Hydor 50w will fit. Any others?
I’m thinking 2 Koralia nano 425’s for powerheads. Is this enough water movement? I will probably get a smaller or more inexpensive one for mixing water changes as well.
Lighting will most likely be a less expensive Oddysea fixture. 4x24w t5. I’m hoping this will provide ample light to try some beginner and progressively more difficult corals as time goes on.
I am planning a no more than 2” sand bed that will probably be all live sand. Also somewhere around 20-30 pounds live rock. I can source both of these from my LFS, and will probably only get a couple nice pieces of live rock to seed with to cut down on cost and macro for the rest.
Other items would be hydrometer, an RO/DI water source, salt mix, and a test kit. I already own the API freshwater kit, will this work for salt?
Not super important right now, but stocking plans are most likely a reef safe CUC, 2 clownfish, and a goby or blenny. Obviously a lot more research will go into these choices but not worried about it right now.
Will weekly changes be enough to get by without a protein skimmer? Am I missing anything crucial? Let me know what you think.
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