Some advice?

Hello my fellow reefers!

I'm new to this hobby/obsession but would like to start small.
I was planning on either getting the JBJ 24DX Nano, or the Finnex M-Tank (20G). Does anyone have experience or advice about this decision?

Also, approx. how many pounds of live rock and live sand would I need for either tank?

As for the inhabitants, I was thinking of some newb corals, 2 clownfish, 1 goby (probably a watchman), and some shirmp. Maybe some hermit crabs, and snails.
Thats all I can come up with so far, would any of you like to make some suggestions/comments on my plan?

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

I liked beginning with a small tank. I say if you can control the swings in a nano, you'll be fine with any other size tank.

I would suggest 1-1.5 lbs of LR per gallon so in a 20 that's about 20-30lbs of LR.

Sand is at your discretion, some say that unless you have 6" it doesn't contribute to filtration and it is only for decorative purposes. I like having a couple of inches all around because it helps house smaller critters and starfish. Plus it gives it a nice natural look.

I would stick to just one shrimp. Make it a cleaner shrimp. The 2 clowns will be nice just do a little research about choosing species, and how to choose them to increase chances of getting a mated pair. Do the research. They are very territorial. But if done correctly you'll love them. The Watchman, I suggest you leave for a bigger tank, or you make sure the tank has a lid. I tried to keep gobies of the substrate loving kind (a watchman and a jawfish) and both commited suicide.

About the tanks I can't say... not familiar with either product. I like to piece my systems together.

 

I've been reading more on sumps/fuge etc.. maybe i should start off with something larger than a nano cube.

I was thinking something along the lines of a 75G (48x18x21). What kind of a setup in terms of sump and fuge and equipment would I need?
Can someone guide me in the right direction??

I also have a XP3 canister filter laying around, never been used yet original plan was to start a 75G freshwater. But was really intrigued with marine setups after finding this site. Now I'm itching to start a marine tank first.... Would I be able to use the canister or is it garbage if I go with a sump setup?