20 gallon filtration?

Isoprene · Aug 23, 2012

I have just aquired a 20 gallon tank from work for free. Yay!

I want to start a coral only tank considering I have a 55 bow front that is doing well. I am confused on how much filtration or what types of filtration I will need. I am not expecting to do any acros or any sps that are delicate and hard to keep. I am expecting to keep various LPS, some montipora, zoas, ect..the not so hard stuff from what I have been successful with in my 55g.

That aside, do I need a skimmer? I am only familiar with tank filtration in a sump. Filter bag, carbon reactor, skimmer, ect... the normal larger tank sump set ups. I am not sure how a 20 gallon would work considering I am not going to use a sump for it or do I plan to drill any holes for one. I know I am diligent with water changes and I will be using a RODI system from the get go. Do I even need a skimmer? Or can I get away with a power head and a hang on the side filter? I dont even know how smaller tanks work. Any links to threads explaining the smaller tank filtration or any advice would be appreciated. Im honestly just confused where to start on the filtration side of things. I am pretty familiar with lighting, heating, and the other aspects. THANKS!

ritter6788 · Aug 23, 2012

You can do without a skimmer. Water changes will be a must though. Many with smaller tanks use Chemi Pure Elite and Purigen in a reactor or an HOB filter like you mentioned using. Keep it clean, keep up with water changes and you'll be fine.

Mr. D · Aug 23, 2012

I keep a 12 gallon DT right now and have for nearly two years now. Never ran a slimmer...would like to if they ever made one that small an actually useful.

As stated above chemipure elite is good stuff and I've recently started using it. Other than that I do my water changes anywhere from every week to every other week depending on my schedule for the week and I do just fine with good growth from corals.

I've also began dosing small amounts of Fuel from seachem and some trace elements.

Good luck!!

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Isoprene · Aug 24, 2012

Thanks guys I am really excited, I set the tank up last night (with water to test for leaks) and I had no leakage this morning and my T5 fixture I had sitting in the closet looks like it overhangs only an inch or two.

So I am all set it seems. I am going to grab a HOB filter tonight from somewhere, does anyone have any recommendations or can I just grab one from wal-mart?

Another question @ Mr. D, or anyone for that matter. I started my last tank (55 bow-front) with 30lbs of live rock that was natural. (had pests of all sorts I have been battling from the get go)

Now I want to start this 20g long with dry rock and seed it with chips of Coraline Algae from another rock. I have researched how to seed it...ect.

My question is how on earth do I get this stuff to spread? On the LR I have in my 55 bow front the purple has not spread at ALL. Literally the way I bought it is the way it looks today (and my calcium parameters are fine, I am assuming this plays a roll). I really want this tank to have vibrant colors and I have seen other threads where people have almost insta-purple dry rock after seeding (1 month or 2). Does anyone have any recommendations to get this CA to spread all over my dry rock and not have to wait a year for it to happen?

Thanks in advance!

Mr. D · Aug 24, 2012

On your small nano a T5 will hopefully begin growing the CA rather quickly. The reason it didn't grow in the 55 probably came from insufficient lighting. How many bulbs is your T5 now?

I have found a number of ways to help CA grow well.

1.) take a hard bristle toothbrush and sweep I over the CA a few times a week. Should help spread the spores.

2.) begin dosing trace elements. Different brands out there.

3.) try out "purple up"

These things with regular water changes and good intensity lighting are what helps mine grow well.

Hope that answered your questions!

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