Enough filtration?

CobiaLover

CobiaLover

Just one more tank! Please?
Jan 21, 2007
10
0
0
Port Aransas, Texas (just north of Corpus Christi,
www.texasfishn.com
I have just bought a twenty tall that I want to set up as FOWLR (and live sand). I am new to saltwater and want to know if the filters I have bought for this tank is enough, too much or just fine. This is what I have:
1) penguin 100b bio wheel power filter
2) a protein skimmer (for 20 to 40 gallon tank)
3) a corner filter full of bio balls (for added bio filtration)
Please let me know if you have any ideas for what I should add/remove. I want to get the proper filters before I set up this tank. Any incite will help! Thanks in advance!!
 
Hi there and welcome to the forums..

20 tall does not really give much of an idea of the size of the tank really...Be more specific in dimentions please??

On filtration...if you have in there 1 to 1.5lbs of live rock, you dont really need to be running any other filter really..The live rock and sand will provide you with enough filtration..If you keep the filter, just use it for extra circulation and in case you wnt to put in some carbon some time..

Protein skimmer - always try to but one that is rated at twice the size of you gallons...so, for a 20gal, you want to buy one rated for 40 Gals..

Bioballs - I would get rid, you dont need them if you have enough live rock..Plus, with bioballs, there is also the issue of them easily turning into a nitrate factory if you dont keep up to a very strict maintenance regime..

Hope this helps mate

Niko
 
Sorry didn't think to give the actual dementions of the tank. It is 24L x 12w x 16H.
The protein skimmer is for 20 to 40. Is this ok or should I go bigger?
 
Hey there...thanks for the dimentions..

I would check to see waht the price of the next model up is...If there is not a great ammount of cash difference, get the larger one...It Will be better in the long run for you mate..Opposite way though, if its a lot more, the one you mentioned "will" do fine, its just better to get one that supports twice the load..

Niko
 
what type of skimmer is it? brand and model please. those ratings really dont mean squat. for example, a smaller skimmer such as an aqua C remora which is rated to about 70 gallons will kick the pants off of a seaclone 150 any day of the week.
but assuming you have a decent amount of lr, that filtration will be jsut fine. i perosnaly dont really like bioballs. but for a fowlr or agressive tank they will do fine.
 
The skimmer is being made for me by a guy that has made them for a number of years. They more resemble the remora than the seaclone.
As of yet I have no live rock but I am planning to put it in when the tank is set up. I have been told that 1 to 1 1/2 lbs per gallon will be enough to help keep it filtered. I am still in the "think it out" process and am planning to start the set up by the end of next week, so any input will help! Thanks
 
Get the live rock now, I had an issue just a little while ago with adding live rock at a later stage of getting my tank going and it ended up killing off the whole tank. Trust me you don't want to go through that :(
 
Sorry about your tank!!

Not trying to be smart here, but shouldn't I wait till i at least have water in the tank? I know it is best to add it right from the start. Should I get it now and keep it in a bucket or tub? Or wait till the end of the week when I set up the tank?
 
Weenee...

I assume that is only your personal opinion of how a fish tank should be filled..Rock, sand then water.....?

There are many different ways that a tank can be filled...It is down to personal preference, there is no set way a tank should be filled...

I would also not buy the live rock untill the water is in the tank...else...where are you gonna put it? unless you have rubbermaids with powerheads and heaters in them lying round...
 
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