A few Q's for the more Knowledgable.

[HaZRaTTy]

First thanks for the reply Steve. I must admit though this Isnt the start of an addiction to fish keeping as I have been a fresh water guy for a long time! Trying something new as I always wanted a reef and I feel confident enough to take on t he challenge.

I Definetly will look into that style overflow when I hit a computer, work is starting to get in the way of my research hahaha. I was thinking of doing dual returns but how well is one pump split between two returns? I was also trying to figure out how to maybe have a ref drain on return and it overflow into the sump and the other return gostraight to the sump. As you suggest a sump for such a small tank I'm throw. Inbetween yes and no, that I am going to decide later as I want to plan so I can make the addition later with no problems.

Now for lighting, do you think a single 4 bulb t5ho system will be enough for corals. Also would a single 250w mh do the trick alone? Lighting is the part I figured I would go bigger and balance height? What lighting unto would you suggest?

[whatcaneyedo]

Head loss calculator http://reefcentral.com/index.php/head-loss-calculator
Melev's Reef - Sumps http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html

"As you suggest a sump for such a small tank I'm throw." What?

A four bulb T5 would work well or I'd go with a 150W MH. Even a single 250W for a shallow nano-tank would be overkill.

Eheim pumps are an excellent small pump.

A two drain overflow is typically called a Herbie Overflow and will fit a 20gal tank much easier than a bean-animal which are pretty elaborate and require three holes.

[HaZRaTTy]

"As you suggest a sump for such a small tank I'm throw." What?

Sorry that was meaning to be **Protein Skimmer not Sump. That's what I get for not proof reading and the reply coming from the iPhone.

K so i'm not getting confused here

2 Drain overflow - 2 Overflow boxes and 2 Return holes?

or 1 Overflow box 1 Return?

[whatcaneyedo]

Herbie Overflow. Google image search it.

No need to drill for your returns unless you really want to. You can just have them curve over the back of the tank.

[HaZRaTTy]

Sounds good

Thanks for the information.

[RuGlu6]

http://www.melevsreef.com/links.html