20g long hoping to start a coral tank!

[Dennis Kraemer]

Gotta be careful with glass lids because it will slightly cut down on light getting to your corals. Ive had all those fish. Id suggest that if you get the bicolor blenny that in that tank he needs to be probably the only fish. Can be territorial. Cleaner shrimp are great. I had a 12x12x12 tank that had a purple firefish and a cleaner shrimp it worked out great. You could get 3 regular firefish and a cleaner shrimp in that tank easy. If you can find a small hob skimmer that would work wonders in your system also.
Yes post up pics or stats on the light.

I will need a skimmer if I have a 365gph canister filter?

 

[twentyleagues]

I will need a skimmer if I have a 365gph canister filter?

Yes. No. Well yes. I always think a skimmer needs to be in a salt tank. Can you do it without.....yes. Will it be easier with?.....yes. Especially a reef tank.
As for the fish you caught them? Where?
Could be anything, damsel of some sort( doubtful), juvenile fish like a jack or something?

 

[Dennis Kraemer]

Yes. No. Well yes. I always think a skimmer needs to be in a salt tank. Can you do it without.....yes. Will it be easier with?.....yes. Especially a reef tank.
As for the fish you caught them? Where?
Could be anything, damsel of some sort( doubtful), juvenile fish like a jack or something?

Thanks as for the skimmer how often do you have to empty it because I am out of town on the weekends
This is my light- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002P9R2GO/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza
And I have this lid-https://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-Aquarium-AAG29020-Versa-20-Inch/dp/B0002AS7ZI/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Marineland+aquarium+lid&qid=1563745825&s=gateway&sr=8-2

 

[twentyleagues]

Get decent bulbs and you'll be good for pretty much all softies and some lps. Id fore go any actnic and just get some 15 or 18k bulbs. As for a skimmer depends on how big the cup is and how wet you are skimming. Usually set by how deep the cup collection point sits in the bubble tower or a valve that adjusts the waters level in the tower. Dry skimming removes more thick nasty stuff but not as much gets removed.

 

[Dennis Kraemer]

Get decent bulbs and you'll be good for pretty much all softies and some lps. Id fore go any actnic and just get some 15 or 18k bulbs. As for a skimmer depends on how big the cup is and how wet you are skimming. Usually set by how deep the cup collection point sits in the bubble tower or a valve that adjusts the waters level in the tower. Dry skimming removes more thick nasty stuff but not as much gets removed.

I went on amazon and I looked up t-5 lights but I’m not sure what to get because all are longer than 30 inches should I get one for coral and reef?

 

[Dennis Kraemer]

I went on amazon and I looked up t-5 lights but I’m not sure what to get because all are longer than 30 inches should I get one for coral and reef?

This is all I can find-https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-10000K-Output-Fluorescent-31-Watt/dp/B0723HCQRX/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=T-5+31+watt&qid=1563747128&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-1

 

[twentyleagues]

I didnt notice the size. Does the bulb measure 30" or 24" have not seen 30" t5ho before. You need high out put bulbs. I'm guessing the bulbs are 24" in a 30" fixture although I could be wrong. Typical t5ho are
24"x24w 36"x36w 48"x54w and 60"x80w the other sizes are normal out put 12x12w,18x18w,24x21w,30 and others.
Some of your links didnt work.
Look here

Search Results Template - Bulk Reef Supply

aquarium.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[Dennis Kraemer]

I didnt notice the size. Does the bulb measure 30" or 24" have not seen 30" t5ho before. You need high out put bulbs. I'm guessing the bulbs are 24" in a 30" fixture although I could be wrong. Typical t5ho are
24"x24w 36"x36w 48"x54w and 60"x80w the other sizes are normal out put 12x12w,18x18w,24x21w,30 and others.
Some of your links didnt work.
Look here

Search Results Template - Bulk Reef Supply

aquarium.bulkreefsupply.com

Great I looked at your website but the bulbs measure 30” and that’s how they sell the refill packs at coral life on amazon so I’m not sure if I could buy another brand of lights??

 

[twentyleagues]

Only if you can find a 30"31w. Thats a weird size. You could do a 10k and an actinic bulb. It'll cut back on some of the higher light corals but shouldn't be to much out. 2 10k may be to stressful on the corals.

 

[Dennis Kraemer]

Only if you can find a 30"31w. Thats a weird size. You could do a 10k and an actinic bulb. It'll cut back on some of the higher light corals but shouldn't be to much out. 2 10k may be to stressful on the corals.

Ok that’s what I’m set up with now, I’m going to start researching beginners corals; should I have corals bf or after fish
(The tank is already cycled)