filtration

kendra · Mar 21, 2015

Hi! I'm new to having this type of tank but I was given a small (20 gallon) already set up tank. Has a cleaner shrimp, some type of damsel, a snail, 4 small hermit crabs, live rock and sand. It was running with a freshwater filter system when I got it and I was told to switch to a skimmer and a air pump. All my levels are good as far as I can tell but the moving water seems dirty because of debris floating around. Should I use a filter as well?

LetItReef · Mar 22, 2015

We have a HOB filter but I only use it to hide my heater and to put activated carbon on the bag ofcourse. Do you have a circulation pump? Look into Jebao wp10 or Hydor Koralia to keep water movement in your tank if you do not have one.
We dont have a skimmer on our standard 29g Reef.

eeyore357 · Mar 22, 2015

You can add more filtration(skimmer, filter,...) to the tank if you wish. Do you have a saltwater test kit to check salinity, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

kendra · Mar 22, 2015

I don't know which brand but I do have a circulation pump

kendra · Mar 22, 2015

I do have the test strips but since I'm new at this I'm a little unclear where the levels are supposed to be. There is so much information and it all varies from site to site

eeyore357 · Mar 22, 2015

Before you do anything I would get a decent test kit. API makes one that is okay. Ammonia needs to be at 0, Nitrite 0, and Nitrate needs to be below 20

eeyore357 · Mar 22, 2015

You'll also need to have some saltwater for weekly water changes and RODI water to top off a few times a day.

Reefing Madness · Mar 22, 2015

Agreed, you'll need at the least API Reef test kit, as those test strips are really bad.
You coulod use any old FW hang on back filter for you tank, it'll work just fine, a skimmer on a 20g tank isn't needed, just keep an eye on the water parameters, and do water changes as needed.
Proper flow in your tank should reach at least 200gph, and with corals it will go above 400gph

kendra · Mar 22, 2015

The test strips I have are api but it's a 5 in 1 and no ammonia on it. The reef store sold me that one. My nitrite and nitrate are 0, ph about 8.0 and my kh was 180(not sure what this one means)

kendra · Mar 22, 2015

I just don't like how dirty it looks with debris floating around and there is some algae on the back. Also the sand is a bit dirty. Is there any inverts that could help this? I've read about a clean up crew as they call it but what I have isn't doing enough lol

eeyore357 · Mar 22, 2015

The test strips usually don't work. If you have algae that is usually a sign that nitrates are high. Does the hang on back filter have a filter in it?

API test kit Aquarium Water Testing: Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Saltwater Master Liquid Test Kit

kendra · Mar 22, 2015

It's a whisper brand (like freshwater type) has a black and white cartridges on both sides

Reefing Madness · Mar 22, 2015

Test stips are inaccurate, don't trust them.
The filter you want to use will work just fine.

glb · Mar 22, 2015

kendra said:
I just don't like how dirty it looks with debris floating around and there is some algae on the back. Also the sand is a bit dirty. Is there any inverts that could help this? I've read about a clean up crew as they call it but what I have isn't doing enough lol

I've used peppermint shrimp, turbo snails, blue legged hermits and emerald crabs as clean up critters. Emeralds I wouldn't recommend as they've always been aggressive in my tank. Blue legged crabs can eat turbo snails too, so something to be aware of. Sand sifting starfish clean the sand but I gave mine away after someone told me my tank (12g) was too little for them. As far as the debris in the water, do you have any type of filter that would trap it so you could remove it?

kendra · Mar 22, 2015

I just bought a new better hob filter today. Also some ammonia testers (levels are all good!!!) Hydrometer says the salt level is on the low end of normal. Which is a change since its been on the higher end because of the new water I've been slowly adding. I think I'll go buy my self some bigger hermit crabs soon since I haven't killed anything yet! Can you have starfish in a 20 gallon tank?

LetItReef · Mar 22, 2015

Look into Refractometer, way better readings compare to Hydrometer. Around $30 at amazon.com

eeyore357 · Mar 23, 2015

If you removed the old filters you run the risk of having the tank re-cycle. What ammonia testers did you get? Whats the salt level? Are you topping off with saltwater?

kendra · Mar 23, 2015

Api was the brand I got. I think the tank may be 're-cycling since I switched filters. All levels seem fine but my shrimp died

eeyore357 · Mar 23, 2015

What's the salt level? What are the reading for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate? Do you top off with saltwater, tap water, or something else? What's the water temperature?