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Final 20g decision (1 Viewer)

20g long future

  • Cryptic Zone

    Votes: 3 21.4%

  • Frag Tank

    Votes: 1 7.1%

  • Invert Breeding tank

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Sandbed tank

    Votes: 1 7.1%

  • Mushroom tank

    Votes: 2 14.3%

  • Mangrove tank

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Macro algae tank

    Votes: 3 21.4%

  • Predator tank

    Votes: 4 28.6%

  • Other (please explain what)

    Votes: 1 7.1%
  • Total voters
    14
BashfulBacterium

BashfulBacterium

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2012
Messages
2,949
Location
Minneapolis, MN
I am ready to make a final choice on what to do with this 20g long. I have too many ideas and can't decide on what to do. Anyone that wants to throw the same old card at me about always starting new tanks can send me a PM, but please don't spam it in the thread. (Even though this isn't a new tank)

Cryptic Zone: No light, using purely cryptic fauna like sponges, tube worms, barnacles etc.

Frag Tank: Just used to grow some rarer softies and LPS

Mushroom tank: Pure Mushrooms; Pure Awesomeness.

Invert Breeding Tank: Just used to breed various inverts.

Sandbed tank: Mated Yellow-headed jaw fish pair and little rocks or corals.

Predator Tank: Leaf Scorpions, Dwarf Lion or Angler

Macro Algae tank: Cold-Water Macro Algae system

Mangroves: attempt #2.....

Too many ideas so coming to mind for me atm and need one to grasp onto and stick with. Also up for other ideas too.
 
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Ultimately it's what interests you the most and fits your budget that counts.

Me personally, I would choose other and do either an all euphyllia tank or zoanthid dominate, maybe even try a setup specifically for goniopora/alveoporas for the challenge.
 
Thanks for all the replies so far!
Currently it is a 3-way tie.

My budget is currently pretty low but that is why I'm going to start once I find out if I get the job at the Zoo so I know what is affordable. I made this thread because I am open to many ideas and love all the options.

Thanks for the feedback!
 
Is this going to be a stand-alone tank? or part of the main system? Where is it in relation to the rest of your tank? What are you trying to accomplish?

Your above choices range everything to an extra fuge space to an extra display. Display will add nutrients, fuge remove. Is your current sump/fuge large enough and efficient enough to handle an additional 20 gallon of display bioload? I think you should narrow down to this question first: fuge or display?

If doing fuge, I would put a small army of peppermint shrimp in there - depending on if it works with the rest of your system. They would be putting a ton of eggs into your system, providing great live food nearly every night. Of course, care must be given to the right design, but something along those lines is what I would do.

I would make the tank work for you, not another tank that you have to work to maintain.
 
I think you answered your own question with your statement " mushroom tank, pure awesomeness" :)
 
curlyq said:
Is this going to be a stand-alone tank? or part of the main system? Where is it in relation to the rest of your tank? What are you trying to accomplish?

Your above choices range everything to an extra fuge space to an extra display. Display will add nutrients, fuge remove. Is your current sump/fuge large enough and efficient enough to handle an additional 20 gallon of display bioload? I think you should narrow down to this question first: fuge or display?

If doing fuge, I would put a small army of peppermint shrimp in there - depending on if it works with the rest of your system. They would be putting a ton of eggs into your system, providing great live food nearly every night. Of course, care must be given to the right design, but something along those lines is what I would do.

I would make the tank work for you, not another tank that you have to work to maintain.
Click to expand...

This will be a separate tank since we don't have the plumbing, overflow or holes in the tank to create a fuge.
 
pongo said:
I think you answered your own question with your statement " mushroom tank, pure awesomeness" :)
Click to expand...

Good Observation :) But that was more of a fun description, I could call quite a few of these awesome, but some I haven't even tried yet (which makes me want to do them).

Looks like Cryptic so far...
 
Macro algae, so you can grow food for your main display tank, and it will be easy because you can use 100% w/c water from the main tank as well.
 
BadOmen said:
I assume that they would do fine in a coldwater system then?
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I would think so, but I do not have any first hand knowledge on that. I like curlyq's ideal too. You could plumb it in to your main system with a bunch of macro algae, pods, and peppermint shrimp. That way the pods and strip eggs would be food for the system and the algae would be good nutrient export.
 
I think it is narrowed down to Cryptic, Predator, Macro Algae (warm or coldwater now) or Mushroom tank. Also other ideas are still welcomed.

I think I could probably but multiple ones together (ie. Pipefish/Macro, Mantis/Macro or Mantis/Shroom, Cryptic w/NPS frags etc.)

Very tempting ideas, not a whole lot of inspiration for Macro Algae tanks on youtube :(
 
I think I've made my decision! I'm thinking of going with a Warm-Water Macro Algae tank, with a couple soft corals such as mushrooms (and maybe keep my hanging frag rack in there). Also will be putting in a mantis shrimp form Reefs2Go which is also where I will get my Macro Algae. Everything is pretty cheap (the mantis is only $10) so it will be affordable.

Of course I may still change my mind, but once I start buying stuff I'm sticking to it. Will also be growing pods in here also (so just consider it a neater, external fuge).
 
SmnParish said:
I'd say go cryptic, but go all out with an automated feeding system and make one sick nps tank
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you need massive amounts of flow for a nps tank.. a cryptic tank would be low flow,sponges and dusters ect.. nps tanks require so much constant food that you need to keep it constantly in the water colum. but require pristine water conditions. a tank that is def not for someone to attempt who is already conceedin $$ is an issue

with that said... smart move picking a macro algae tank... remember 65k or lower bulbs... they love thier sunlight!
 
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