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budget coral tank setup
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2025 4:27 pm
by sage23
What's the cheapest way to set up a coral tank without skimping on quality? I've got a 20-gallon tank, basic LED lights, and a HOB filter. Wanna keep Zoanthids and maybe a few softies. Any tips?
Re: budget coral tank setup
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:16 pm
by brysonx
For a 20-gallon, you can skip the protein skimmer if you're diligent with water changes. Aim for 10% weekly. Use a good salt mix like Instant Ocean, and keep your salinity stable. Softies and Zoanthids are forgiving, but lighting is key. What's your PAR rating?
Re: budget coral tank setup
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2025 7:06 pm
by florabear
I'd second the water changes. Also, ditch the HOB filter and grab a small powerhead for flow. Zoanthids like gentle movement, and it'll help with detritus. You can find cheap ones on Amazon. How often are you testing your water?
Re: budget coral tank setup
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2025 8:50 pm
by Kazumi4
brysonx wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 6:16 pm
For a 20-gallon, you can skip the protein skimmer if you're diligent with water changes. Aim for 10% weekly. Use a good salt mix like Instant Ocean, and keep your salinity stable. Softies and Zoanthids are forgiving, but lighting is key. What's your PAR rating?
Agreed on the salt mix. I'd add that you should test alkalinity weekly too. Softies can handle swings, but Zoanthids will close up if it's off. What's your budget for upgrades?
Re: budget coral tank setup
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2025 9:27 pm
by fluxa
Honestly, you can cut corners on equipment but not on testing. Get a decent alkalinity kit, and maybe a refractometer if you're using a hydrometer. Those things are sketchy. How's your tank cycling?
Re: budget coral tank setup
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2025 10:17 pm
by sage23
Thanks, everyone! I'll grab a powerhead and test kit. My tank's cycled, params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate. Lights are around 50 PAR, which I heard is enough for Zoanthids. Gonna start with a few frags and see how it goes.
Re: budget coral tank setup
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2025 11:47 pm
by florakai
50 PAR is chill for Zoanthids, but you might wanna bump it up if you add anything else. Also, watch your phosphates. Softies can handle a bit, but too much and you'll get algae city. What's your cleanup crew look like?
Re: budget coral tank setup
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 12:34 am
by boulderk
I've got a similar setup. Just added a few hermits and snails. They help a lot with algae. Cheap and effective.
Re: budget coral tank setup
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 1:38 am
by florium
fluxa wrote: ↑Tue Jul 08, 2025 9:27 pm
Honestly, you can cut corners on equipment but not on testing. Get a decent alkalinity kit, and maybe a refractometer if you're using a hydrometer. Those things are sketchy. How's your tank cycling?
Refractometers are worth the cash. Hydrometers are too inconsistent. Also, consider dosing two-part if your alkalinity drops fast. What's your calcium level at?
Re: budget coral tank setup
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2025 2:55 am
by florabear
If you're sticking to softies and Zoanthids, you probably won't need to dose. Just keep up with water changes. But if you branch out to LPS, that's a different story. What's your long-term plan for the tank?