Starting a 20gal

[Lance]

Originally Posted by skabooya

I am so confused. I just got a response on another reef forum and this person basically told me i need to rethink my entire plan.
Do i have to have a 4" deep sand bed?
Do i need to have 2 powerheads? I thought i K1 would be enough since flow is dispersed everywhere.
Is the rio that bad where i shouldnt bother at all? I thought something was better than nothing. I cant in any way afford a remora.
A bucket of salt will last me more than a year. Is this true?
Is instant ocean really that crappy? Its all my lfs supplies. Aparently it has low alk buffering capacity is that true. That worries me because i have very soft neutral to acidic water out of my tap. (The tap water he is amazing lots of people do salt where i live and use tap)

Please help me out. Im getting discouraged again.

Please don't get discouraged, you're doing fine. Some people on these forums think their way is the only way. Not true. No, you don't have to have a 4" sand bed. If you can only afford 1 Koralia 1, go with it. IO salt is not that bad. I too can only get it here locally and it's fine. Many reefers use it. If you are just going with softies and a small bio-load, you can get by without a skimmer for awhile, just do lots of water changes and you'll be OK. Shop the buy/sell forums for a good HOB skimmer as you say you can't have a sump.
You've already indicated you have been researching and that you intend on taking your time in setting up this tank. That's good, I'm sure you'll be fine, and good luck.