Skimmer

[Scoobydoo]

Hi im new to the hobby and was wondering what would be a good protein skimmer for a 20g breeder or do i need one?

 

[Brandon3152134]

Hi im new to the hobby and was wondering what would be a good protein skimmer for a 20g breeder or do i need one?

Need? I would say no but they are definitely nice to have. What are you planning to keep

 

[Scoobydoo]

Need? I would say no but they are definitely nice to have. What are you planning to keep

Soft coral and a few fish mostly coral

 

[Scoobydoo]

Im working on a 10g sump as well

 

[King Turkey]

I would rather invest in a good powerhead and keep up on water changes with some good salt to keep things in check

 

[King Turkey]

Im working on a 10g sump as well

if you have a sump a algae scrubber is wayyyy better and helps keep the water more stable at night when the tank lights go out via gas exchange. ( alk seems to also be more stable running lights on the scrubber opposite of that the tank

 

[Scoobydoo]

I got a powerhead might be to much tho 660gph

 

[Scoobydoo]

Im using instant ocean salt

 

[Brandon3152134]

If you keep your bioload low soft corals will most likley benefit from no skimmer and if you do have one you will probably end up running it on a timer because I find 24/7 skimming can really suck the nutrients right out of your tank.

 

[Scoobydoo]

if you have a sump a algae scrubber is wayyyy better and helps keep the water more stable at night when the tank lights go out via gas exchange. ( alk seems to also be more stable running lights on the scrubber opposite of that the tank

What is a alge scrubber?

 

[Brandon3152134]

Algea scrubbers are like refugium on steroids.

 

[Scoobydoo]

if you have a sump a algae scrubber is wayyyy better and helps keep the water more stable at night when the tank lights go out via gas exchange. ( alk seems to also be more stable running lights on the scrubber opposite of that the tank

What is a alge scrubber

Algea scrubbers are like refugium on steroids.

Sorry i sound dumb but im really interested in coral

 

[King Turkey]

CW-50 Algae Scrubber - Ready-2-Run Bundle - Clear Water - Bulk Reef Supply
you wont regret it trust me i have one and it is god sent.
if you are intrested in corals go to
Cherry Corals - Live Corals for Sale - Buy Corals Online - Exotic and Rare Corals
get a 80 dollar hammer coral they are hardy corals and totally bad butt as long as you get e some reef spec lighting

 

[Scoobydoo]

CW-50 Algae Scrubber - Ready-2-Run Bundle - Clear Water - Bulk Reef Supply
you wont regret it trust me i have one and it is god sent.
if you are intrested in corals go to
Cherry Corals - Live Corals for Sale - Buy Corals Online - Exotic and Rare Corals
get a 80 dollar hammer coral they are hardy corals and totally bad butt as long as you get e some reef spec lighting

I have a coralife 30 in led

 

[King Turkey]

what a algae scrubber does is instead of you cleaning the water you grow algae than you discharge the algae into the trash. by growing algae it eats all the dissolved fish poop and pee and other nasty stuff. probly much better than a skimmer would

 

[King Turkey]

I have a coralife 30 in led

nice what do water parameters look like? nitrate I would not go higher than 30 phosphate no higher than .1
honestly though 20g tank with 10g sump you would be good with doing 2.5 gallon water changes every 2-3 weeks just make sure salinity is good water temp matches thank. top off water when it evaps and you be hosting a coral in no time.
p.s cherry corals just did a live sale so lots of stuff is on sale. I highly recommend them.
do some more youtubing on keeping corals and keeping water in check.
5 Things Everyone Should Do Before Adding Coral To A Saltwater Aquarium - YouTube

 

[Scoobydoo]

what a algae scrubber does is instead of you cleaning the water you grow algae than you discharge the algae into the trash. by growing algae it eats all the dissolved fish poop and pee and other nasty stuff. probly much better than a skimmer would

Would it go in your display tank or sump tank?

 

[King Turkey]

sump.
Can an Algae Scrubber outperform a Protein Skimmer at excess nutrient removal? | BRStv Investigates - YouTube

 

[Scoobydoo]

nice what do water parameters look like? nitrate I would not go higher than 30 phosphate no higher than .1
honestly though 20g tank with 10g sump you would be good with doing 2.5 gallon water changes every 2-3 weeks just make sure salinity is good water temp matches thank. top off water when it evaps and you be hosting a coral in no time.
p.s cherry corals just did a live sale so lots of stuff is on sale. I highly recommend them.
do some more youtubing on keeping corals and keeping water in check.
5 Things Everyone Should Do Before Adding Coral To A Saltwater Aquarium - YouTube

The nitrate at 0 nitrite 0 amonia is at 1 phosphate is at 0 and waiting on red sea cal mag and alk test kit to come in.

 

[King Turkey]

Weird you don't show nitrate. I'd be careful since 0 nitrate and phosphate could cause Dino outbreaks. In my experience. I just saw you have soft coral and fish. I'd run carbon since soft coral can release toxins and bother other corals. Like LPS and sps