Need a wingman/woman....fresh to salt 20g

[markstrimaran]

Marine fish can handle 20 ppm nitrate, it's the coral. Ocean reefs have a nitrate amount only measurable in parts per billion.

Once your live rock is established it will function as a bio filter converting ammonia to nitrates. The anaerobic part removes the nitrates, aka deep sand bed, and yes 1 pound per gallon of live rock is a good rule of thumb.
Their is quite a bit of old school vs new school methods of nitrate control. One is carbon dosing the tank aka, DSB, the other is a sulfur denitrator, aka sulfur reactor.

SILICATE is a issue also as diatomaceous algea, photo plankton, will smother corals.
Which brings out the reverse osmosis, pure water changing system. Phosban, phosguard made by seachem. Work also.
GFO, aka granulated ferric oxide reactor, is another phosphate / silicate remover.

Some deep sand beds will "leach silicate" into unacceptable levels.

The sulfur denitrator, well adds sulfates, which can turn into toxic H2S, hydrogen sulfide.

A big enough sump to hold everything is required. Every thing in the salt air interface will turn white as salt spray evaporates.

The term nitrate factoy, any thing that will hold detritus, bio balls, pipes, etc. Will add to the nitrate equation. A 10" × 10" mechanical filtration pad, filter socks, into the 100 micron levels. Will help a lot with keeping nitrates from forming.
The HOB may not be capable of this. A drilled tank, and a sump will.
I say drilled because it offers less complications, from loosing siphon.
All this said ,the oceanic cube, reef tank might be a less expensive option.

 

[markstrimaran]

Other option would be a fishless, coral only. Minimal bioload. Tank parameters could be kept up with water changes, and a smaller filtration system.

 

[Bubbles_n_worms]

Other option would be a fishless, coral only. Minimal bioload. Tank parameters could be kept up with water changes, and a smaller filtration system.

You have given me a lot to research thanks. And to think about as far as the tank it self. Maybe I should play with brackish water first to gain some knowledge as far as salt is concerned. A puffer may be a good option while I read up and study the marine hobby. Could I set the brackish up like a salt water... Live sand coral and such without the microorganisms dying? Then go from there? And with a saltwater tank could I use a good canister filter in Stead of a sump? I'm thinking if I start out with a puffer that can convert to saltwater I can learn at pace with the tank itself.

 

[Thekid]

You have given me a lot to research thanks. And to think about as far as the tank it self. Maybe I should play with brackish water first to gain some knowledge as far as salt is concerned. A puffer may be a good option while I read up and study the marine hobby. Could I set the brackish up like a salt water... Live sand coral and such without the microorganisms dying? Then go from there? And with a saltwater tank could I use a good canister filter in Stead of a sump? I'm thinking if I start out with a puffer that can convert to saltwater I can learn at pace with the tank itself.

Canisters tend to harbor phosphate and help grow algae.

 

[markstrimaran]

Yes that is a good idea. Mollies are an easy salt/brackish/fresh water fish also.
I asked a salt expert, about nano reefs, the water quality is maintained with new salt water, rather than keeping a solid ecosystem like in a 100 gallon tank.
Could be said that live rock, and sand is not required.
A 20 gallon reef coral salt setup will cost about $10.00 per week in water changes. If needed. Depending on bioload.
I have never used a canister filter, but any would work. I have a HOB hob on my tank, mostly for quickly and easy removal of mechanical filtration pads.
Handling fequent small water changes, in a micro tank, makes a sump, really impractical.
Kind of a small gold fish bowl, but for saltwater.
It a trade off. Money spent on salt, VS Money not spent on sump, skimmer, RO water, pumps, ect.
A 200 gallon salt tank would cost apx. $ 2500.00 in shipped salt per year with weekly WC. To keep a reef in good order.

 

[Bubbles_n_worms]

Yes that is a good idea. Mollies are an easy salt/brackish/fresh water fish also.
I asked a salt expert, about nano reefs, the water quality is maintained with new salt water, rather than keeping a solid ecosystem like in a 100 gallon tank.
Could be said that live rock, and sand is not required.
A 20 gallon reef coral salt setup will cost about $10.00 per week in water changes. If needed. Depending on bioload.
I have never used a canister filter, but any would work. I have a HOB hob on my tank, mostly for quickly and easy removal of mechanical filtration pads.
Handling fequent small water changes, in a micro tank, makes a sump, really impractical.
Kind of a small gold fish bowl, but for saltwater.
It a trade off. Money spent on salt, VS Money not spent on sump, skimmer, RO water, pumps, ect.
A 200 gallon salt tank would cost apx. $ 2500.00 in shipped salt per year with weekly WC. To keep a reef in good order.

Darn I spend that easy on my FW150g a year lol

 

[carbene]

you can build a waterfall algae turf scrubber. itll bring nitrate/phosphate down to near zero

 

[markstrimaran]

Yes you can, it might cause a lot of salt crystal build up if not contained, It might also raise the temperature of the aquarium too high. Their are chillers available to cool aquariums. Small fans that blow the surface.
The biggest problem from this will be fluctuations in the specific gravity, of your salt consitration on a small tank.
Their is a scrubber that uses bubbles going up vs water going down. I have never used them. Might be something to explore.
My 40 gallon with trickle filter holds at 79 degrees in a 75 degree house with 12 hours of 36" T-8 30 watts lighting. The little giant pump adds some heat also. 100 watts of growing lights on for 24/7 would probably heat it close to 85. LED'S are out of my budget.

 

[carbene]

diy led for algae scrubber would cost under 100 but the benefit would be tremendous

 

[markstrimaran]

The inexpensive LED's don't work very well. Get ones from a reputable manufacturer.