Filtration for 20 Gal reef?

djryan2000 · 12/01/2019, 11:16 PM

I’m considering turning my 20 gal FOWLR to a reef. With my birthday passing I was given a skimmer by my sister who used to keep tanks - this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028BPRMA..._2sZ3DbRTFXQGZ

For a tank with 3 fish, a cleaner and coral banded shrimp and some crabs do you think that’s enough filtration? I also have mangroves and chateau in the tank. If it’s not good enough alone what do you recommend I add? I have a fluval 106 which I’ve heard is a bad idea to try to use to keep corals.

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mcgyvr · 12/02/2019, 05:29 AM

I wouldn't use anything but water changes to maintain water quality in a tank that size..
You can certainly just use the skimmer if you want..

Oldreeferman · 12/02/2019, 08:54 AM

Im using that same skimmer,takes some patience to setup... it does require a slight mod to the air intake or it will give issues, and you must maintain the water level precisely or again issues as is the same for most all skimmers. It does work if allowed to break in & has the mods tho.
With the bio load you have id say use it if you want but yea, water changes weekly is enough, i have 5 fish & 26 corals all growing larger in my 20L & a HOB big filter sys. as well as a lot of live rock so yes a skimmer is a must have in my case.

djryan2000 · 12/09/2019, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldreeferman

Im using that same skimmer,takes some patience to setup... it does require a slight mod to the air intake or it will give issues, and you must maintain the water level precisely or again issues as is the same for most all skimmers. It does work if allowed to break in & has the mods tho.
With the bio load you have id say use it if you want but yea, water changes weekly is enough, i have 5 fish & 26 corals all growing larger in my 20L & a HOB big filter sys. as well as a lot of live rock so yes a skimmer is a must have in my case.

Thank you. Looks like I’ll have to invest In an ATO for that skimmer. I didnt even know you could put that many fish in a 20 - I thought three was pushing it!

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Oldreeferman · 12/10/2019, 08:29 AM

Except for the clown pair i added ea. one spaced at least 1 month apart & picked them all up as juveniles allowing the bacteria to catch up, but yea im not adding anymore & none grow over 3" max. I feed very carefully also just what they will eat & no more and in 2 yrs have had no issues with any fish or corals from over stocking so far, ask me in 5 yrs when everything has grown out i guess LOL.
If one does pass on some day i probably will not replace it tho due to coral growth in the tank taking up real estate just to be safe tho since the bioload will be much more then as i run no sumps.

Haunt · 12/11/2019, 04:13 PM

I've been using one of those AquaticLife 115 skimmers on my 20L for almost 3 years now and couldn't be happier with it. I think I got it on Amazon for like $50. Set it and forget it basically. Very easy to take apart and clean too. GL.

12/01/2019, 11:16 PM	#1
djryan2000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 441	Filtration for 20 Gal reef? I’m considering turning my 20 gal FOWLR to a reef. With my birthday passing I was given a skimmer by my sister who used to keep tanks - this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028BPRMA..._2sZ3DbRTFXQGZ For a tank with 3 fish, a cleaner and coral banded shrimp and some crabs do you think that’s enough filtration? I also have mangroves and chateau in the tank. If it’s not good enough alone what do you recommend I add? I have a fluval 106 which I’ve heard is a bad idea to try to use to keep corals. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

12/02/2019, 05:29 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I wouldn't use anything but water changes to maintain water quality in a tank that size.. You can certainly just use the skimmer if you want.. __________________ Who me?

12/02/2019, 08:54 AM	#3
Oldreeferman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NW Indiana Valparaiso Posts: 505	Im using that same skimmer,takes some patience to setup... it does require a slight mod to the air intake or it will give issues, and you must maintain the water level precisely or again issues as is the same for most all skimmers. It does work if allowed to break in & has the mods tho. With the bio load you have id say use it if you want but yea, water changes weekly is enough, i have 5 fish & 26 corals all growing larger in my 20L & a HOB big filter sys. as well as a lot of live rock so yes a skimmer is a must have in my case. __________________ Montipora Digitas, Cyphastrea, Blastos, different Leptoseris, Green Stylo, GSP, gorgonions, Ricordea mushrooms, psammocoras, Birdsnest coral, Clownfish, Watchman goby, Royal gamma. Current Tank Info: Nano Reef tank

12/10/2019, 08:29 AM	#5
Oldreeferman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NW Indiana Valparaiso Posts: 505	Except for the clown pair i added ea. one spaced at least 1 month apart & picked them all up as juveniles allowing the bacteria to catch up, but yea im not adding anymore & none grow over 3" max. I feed very carefully also just what they will eat & no more and in 2 yrs have had no issues with any fish or corals from over stocking so far, ask me in 5 yrs when everything has grown out i guess LOL. If one does pass on some day i probably will not replace it tho due to coral growth in the tank taking up real estate just to be safe tho since the bioload will be much more then as i run no sumps. __________________ Montipora Digitas, Cyphastrea, Blastos, different Leptoseris, Green Stylo, GSP, gorgonions, Ricordea mushrooms, psammocoras, Birdsnest coral, Clownfish, Watchman goby, Royal gamma. Current Tank Info: Nano Reef tank

12/11/2019, 04:13 PM	#6
Haunt Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 109	I've been using one of those AquaticLife 115 skimmers on my 20L for almost 3 years now and couldn't be happier with it. I think I got it on Amazon for like $50. Set it and forget it basically. Very easy to take apart and clean too. GL. __________________ "Your off the edge of the map mate. Here there be monsters..."