upgrading tank, have a few questions

I

ibanezgfx

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Nov 7, 2005
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currently i have a 20L FOWLR. 65w PC light 20lbs live rock and aquaclear 110 HOB converted into a fuge.
i just got a 75g for christmas and have a couple questions.

for now it will be FOWLR. i may buy a light good enough for some corals, still deciding.
main questions.
-never had a skimmer for the 20. looking into gettin a HOB one, but still, not too sure. i know its not necissary, but i know they can help.

-i bought a Rena XP3 canister filter. im planning on having 70-80 lbs live rock. is this filter OK, or any better advise? i know with enough LR you dont need a filter (currently dont have one and things are good) but i want this tank to do really well.

thanks
 
your correct on most of your assumptions. I would go ahead and get a skimmer... i personally am not really one to recommend but i would go in sump rather than HOB... but if you are set on HOB i hear aqua c remora makes a good one (not sure if its big enough though) also the turboflotor 1000 multi is a good HOB skimmer.

With that much live rock, you probably dont need the canister filter, but its not bad to have if your not running a sump because of a few reasons.
1) Extra flow always good in marine tanks
2) Extra water capacity again, always good.
3) A place to run chemical media such as carbon or phosphate removing materials when the time calls for it.

I would run the canister empty to begin with.
 
How did you convert your HOB filter to a fuge? I want to do the same and was just wondering how people have done it?
 
simply really, remove media... add Live rock rubble ( i wouldnt add sand) add a macro algae and put a screen of somesort over the top of it so the algae stays put.

Lots of people skip the algae step however and simply run it with the rubble. If you want to use the algae, you will need to find/ make a light to go on top.

They sell clip on power compact lights, which would work well in a situation like that, i believe they are 13 watts, but i could be wrong.
 
If I use chaeto will I need a light and screen? And your meaning a screen so the algae dosent flow out into the tank I assume. Could I raise pods in a HOB filter converted to a fuge?
 
jagr200 said:
If I use chaeto will I need a light and screen? And your meaning a screen so the algae dosent flow out into the tank I assume. Could I raise pods in a HOB filter converted to a fuge?
Click to expand...


Yup, basically every thing you asked in there, the answer is yes.

Yes you can use chaeto, yes you will need a light and screen, yess the screen so the algae doesnt flow out, and yes plenty of pods can be raised in there.
 
congrats on the new tank...always a cool gift. we just went from a 20L to a 75g and its great to have all the room. we aren't running a skimmer yet but are going to do so once our sump is built.
 
ibanezgfx said:
-i bought a Rena XP3 canister filter. im planning on having 70-80 lbs live rock. is this filter OK, or any better advise? i know with enough LR you dont need a filter (currently dont have one and things are good) but i want this tank to do really well.

thanks
Click to expand...

I would really recommend taking all the media out and replace them with live rocks. Those sponges and bioballs are known to collect nitrate.
 
so what about, return the xp3, and get a skimmer? im going to keep my cheato in the tank for now, but also thinking about making either a small fuge underneath, or possibly turnin the 20L into the fuge/sump. still a little foggy on the subject though.
 
i would do that, return the xp3 and look for a skimmer. Not sure how much xp3's cost, but a skimmer may end up costing you a tad bit more, be aware of that going into it. Do some research on good skimmers.
 
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