Just Need Some Facts, Please

[fish addict]

I have a 20g that I have slowly graduated from a brackish set up to full SW. I would really like to know what I need to keep a basic SW tank with fish only. I literally have a 20g Topfin starter kit with stock light, heater and Top fin 20 power filter. I have crushed coral for substrate, a few plastic plants, some conch and whelk shells, and a large cave. The water has a sg of 1.023 and a ph of around 8.0. I want to have several small-medium fish (just damsels or maybe clowns) and a snowflake moray eel (gymnothorax tile or e. nebulosa).

Do I have to have live rock?
Are power filters of any use? With or w/out carbon?
Should I use an underground filter system?
What do I need to condition the water beyond the ph and sg for SW?

Please let me know what I need for this set up to be healthy. Thank you.

 

[Swimfins]

It sounds like you have all you need for a basic saltwater tank. Most fish are happy with a minimum 1.022 or so salinity. For cursutaceaons, as I understand it salinity needs to be 1.023 up to 1.025 and a calcium additive.
Acclimate your fish to your salt level before adding and it should be ok.
I added a small blue green chromis (less aggressive than damsels) salinity 1.022 and things are good. Maybe you'll need a skimmer down the road depending on stocking level. I just have aragonite in my aquaclear 200 filter, for added buffering. I had a sponge in there but took it out when I learned they increase nitrates in the tank. I guess I'll get a skimmer eventually to cut down on waterchanges. Running to grocery store for distilled water gets old fast. No, you don't need live rock, unless you want to create a reef tank.
On carbon? I dunno. I think its only needed if you want to remove meds or chemicals from the water.

 

[LittlePuff]

I'd go with live rock> In a saltwater tank, it is the main biological filter. You really don't need a filter, I'd keep it on hand for using carbon or phospate remover, when necessary. I'd get a skimmer. It removes alot of the gunk in the water, so there is less of a waste load to worry about. If you use RO water and a decent salt mix, and aren't doing a reef tank, you won't need other supplements. You replace what gets used up when you do water changes. Get a couple powerheads also. Snowflake eels need a much larger tank.

Kim

 

[Blinky]

Check out www.nano-reef.com, great site dedicated to smaller SW tanks (it's reef-focused, but there's lots of general info there that should help you out).

I'd use LR, it's a wonderful bio-filter. You can use a HOB or canister, but they tend to create high levels of nitrates - IMO LR is a much better way to go.

Power filters (if large enough) can make great mini-refugiums - I'm using an AC 70 (300) with a baffle - the sectioned-off area is great for using macro (for nutrient uptake) and gives pods a safe place to multiply. Smaller power filters can be used for circulation and carbon or other media.

UGFs are 'old school', I don't think many people use them any more. Detritus can become trapped beneath the filter plate and becomes a 'nitrate factory'. Save yourself the trouble, don't bother with the UGF - just let the LR be your bio filter.