Newbie Nano-Reef Tank (20 gal)

Ok, so I imagine what I'm about to say is cliche, but here goes: I've been keeping freshwater cichlids for sometime now, and making the big change. I know, cliche?

Either way, I've purchased a 20 gal tall set-up with stand, canopy, and proper lighting for a nano-reef. From everything I've read and been told, this "small" volume is going to be a task, to say the least. But hey, I love learning and it was said that by the time I'm able to move up to a larger tank, I will have probably learned so much from trial/error with this nano tank, that a large one will be a piece of cake....hmmmm.

So here's the deal, 20 gal DT, 10 gal sump. I'll be using an overflow box as the tank isn't drilled. Return pump is a Gen-X 2400 (600gph I think).

I guess I'm wondering if a 10gal sump will be large enough to house a skimmer, return section, and fuge? Does anyone have experience with such a small volume to work with? I just read a nice thread on Sumps/Fuges, and am looking for some further advice.

I live less than a quarter mile from my LFS, and one of my best friends started salt-water with a 10gal nano reef and kept it for over a year! He'll be coaching me along through this thing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Personally, I would use a 20gal long for a sump. Room for a skimmer, refugium and return, that's what I have and enjoy it. Good luck with your new hobby.

 

Problem is I can't really get anything with a footprint larger than 20"x12" in the stand under the tank. I could get a 15g tall underneath there, but still....

 

I agree, I have a 20 long also and it does leave plenty of room for what you want. From there you can find many threads on here about sump design. With the 20 long you wont really be hindered in design.

 

Again, I need to figure out something with the same footprint as a regular 10g.

Thanks!

 

There is no way to get a skimmer, fuge and return chamber in a 10 gallon tank, its just too small. I would get yourself a really nice skimmer and forget about the fuge for now. Just put 3 baffles in the middle of the 10 gallon sump for a drain / skimmer chamber, and a return section. You can always add in a HOB, or a display fuge (sits next to your main tank) later on.

~Will.

 

That's what I was afraid of. There's no reason why I can't get a nice skimmer for a larger, say 200g tank is there? For future expansion?

 

You will be disappointed with the performance of such a large skimmer on such a small volume of water . . . there just wont be enough for it to skim out and you will be wasting electricity. I have an SWC 120 Extreme on order for my nano build, it has a really small footprint for a cone skimmer and the price cant be beat.

~Will.

 

I agree with Will. Go for a skimmer and skip the fuge, small fuges are questionable in their effectiveness anyway, much less than a skimmer especially.

Also I would put a valve on the outlet of that return pump and dial it back, that's a ton of flow through the sump and you may find the plumbing etc very noisy. You will save a little electricity and heat as well by dialing it back. I would aim for maybe 100-200gph through the sump personally.

 

The pump itself has a dial on it to limit flow. Should I use that? Or incorporate some type of valve in the plumbing? It's a bit over 600gph at 0 head, but I will probably have like 4'.