Will this work?

R

robert1979

I've been out of the saltwater tank circle for about a year. Lost everything during the last snow when our power was out for so long and generator was unable to keep the temp up despite all the heaters I had going.

Any way, I have a very nice MH fixture with LEDs that would fit a 20 regular perfect. If I do this I don't want to go back to having a refugium. I plan to keep colorful macro algea of various types in the main tank itself instead of coral. Although I might throw in a few rics. With the water changes and the macro algea do you think this would work? I would of course have a power head or two for flow and very light on the fish. Maybe just a peppermint shrimp and a few crabs and a snail.

Any suggestions on the type of macro algea that might work/look good? Had some that was a verynnice red color at one point but forgot the name.

Any help would be appreciated,
Robert
 
Robert,

There are people that keep anemones that use only hang on the back filtration, along with macroalgae, live rock, and live sand. What you are describing would need very few water changes, in my opinion, even if you keep a few small fish as well.

David
 
Thanks, David

Not sure yet what type of fish I will be keeping. I'm thinking if I keep the flow low enough I may give a pipe fish another try. Had one in the 55 until the disaster. It was an interesting fish to watch. Though I have to admit I really enjoyed the antics of my pom pom crab, emerald crab and shrimp. There was always something going on.
 
I think the red algae u are describing is called dragons breath. I like the way that looks! I have been wanting to put some in my tank
 
Found a site that sells a dozen or so different macros, http://www.reefcleaners.org I think I will order several types from them. If this ends up working out with the 20 gallon then I may turn my now unused 55 into a planted saltwater. I didn't realize you could get so much color variety from macros! [smilie=clapping.gif]
 
One more question. I have a current sunpod 150 MH 14k that I plan on using with the tank. I'm going to start with the macros and maybe a few rics. Eventually I'd like to get back into having other corals to. Do you think the lighting will be too much for the macros or will the be okay?

Thanks for all your help so far! Going out today to pick up the tank to get started.
 
I think the MH will add heat to your tank, just as it has mine. I really like the dragon's breath, it is cool.

I ended up with two small tanks so I could have coral in one and something else in the other. So far that is working out.

If you just have the shrimp and crabs, I guess you won't need a skimmer.
 
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