Recomendations for 20 gal long equipment

Bobbylite88 · 06/24/2013, 01:14 PM

I am just wondering what kind of equipment as far as skimmer, blowers and other things i should get i have a whole list of items but would like recemendations form experienced others on the matter. I plan on doing leathers and two clowns in my tank once it is set up.
Thank You

MiracleFish · 06/24/2013, 05:56 PM

I'm using a Hydor Slim skimmer, however if you're running a sump I recommend something better IMO. I'm doing fine with two Hydor Koralias for flow.

But If you want a better running tank than mine, I highly recommend using a sump.

BlindZide · 06/24/2013, 06:01 PM

If you aren't doing a sump a Reef Octopus BH1000 is a great skimmer. I used one for a few weeks before I upgraded to a larger tank. As far as flow in that small of a tank I would go with no more than 2 Koralia Nano 245GPHs. I have 2 of those in my 30g on a controller and fish and corals love it.

Bobbylite88 · 06/24/2013, 06:02 PM

I was thinking about running a sump but I heard that I can get the same resault just by using a skimmer and a good filter? As for Blowers I have heard a lot of good things about hydor, been looking at the 450 nano's.

BlindZide · 06/24/2013, 06:26 PM

2 Koralia 450s would be roughly 45x turnover for water. Thats a lot! 2 245s would be 24.5x turnover. For a clown fish, research I have found says 20-25x turnover would be ideal and work for most low/mod flow corals.

Bobbylite88 · 06/24/2013, 06:32 PM

My mistake I ment the 250's, I was in the middle of reading something in another window while typing. But from what I have read two of those are what i will go for. Now my buddy has a fluval filter he used for his 40 gal salt breeder that he said I could have, is that overkill or would that be good my little reef?

BlindZide · 06/24/2013, 06:47 PM

My 30g is set up with a 245 on the left of the tank aimed upwards and suctioned onto the middle of the glass so it pushes water through mid tank. I then have my other one pointed diagonally at the glass on the right which bounces and sweeps the front. Then I have a Fluval 70 thats outlet is smack dab in the middle of the tank which helps swirl from both directions. Here is a photo to show you.

The red on is smack dab in the middle of that side of the glass aimed straight up. The yellow is towards the back of the tank aimed at the back glass. Then you can see the ripples from the Fluval 70 thats return is smack dab in the middle of the tank which results in randomness around the tank. Oh and I forgot to mention the SmartWave controller works wonders for random flow for the tank as well. Love it!

Michigan Mike · 06/24/2013, 10:10 PM

I suggest the 425 nano evo koralias.

My 29g has a 750 & 550 and its not as much as I would like.

Bobbylite88 · 06/24/2013, 10:57 PM

Blind: I was actually wondering about how I should set up my blowers, I will keep your set up in mind and give it a shot
Michigan: I would think blowers that big in a 29 would be to much and way to much for a 20?

BlindZide · 06/25/2013, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobbylite88

Michigan: I would think blowers that big in a 29 would be to much and way to much for a 20?

That would depend on his rock work. If he has a lot of rock in there he would need that much to move water around the rocks as they diffuse the flow. You would really need to get some powerheads and tinker with it. The reason I went smaller is because I had a controller which I can hook a ton of heads up to if I needed more I could do it without messing up my random flow.

06/24/2013, 01:14 PM	#1
Bobbylite88 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 7	Recomendations for 20 gal long equipment I am just wondering what kind of equipment as far as skimmer, blowers and other things i should get i have a whole list of items but would like recemendations form experienced others on the matter. I plan on doing leathers and two clowns in my tank once it is set up. Thank You

06/24/2013, 06:01 PM	#3
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	If you aren't doing a sump a Reef Octopus BH1000 is a great skimmer. I used one for a few weeks before I upgraded to a larger tank. As far as flow in that small of a tank I would go with no more than 2 Koralia Nano 245GPHs. I have 2 of those in my 30g on a controller and fish and corals love it. __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

06/24/2013, 06:26 PM	#5
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	2 Koralia 450s would be roughly 45x turnover for water. Thats a lot! 2 245s would be 24.5x turnover. For a clown fish, research I have found says 20-25x turnover would be ideal and work for most low/mod flow corals. __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

06/24/2013, 06:47 PM	#7
BlindZide Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 1,273	My 30g is set up with a 245 on the left of the tank aimed upwards and suctioned onto the middle of the glass so it pushes water through mid tank. I then have my other one pointed diagonally at the glass on the right which bounces and sweeps the front. Then I have a Fluval 70 thats outlet is smack dab in the middle of the tank which helps swirl from both directions. Here is a photo to show you. The red on is smack dab in the middle of that side of the glass aimed straight up. The yellow is towards the back of the tank aimed at the back glass. Then you can see the ripples from the Fluval 70 thats return is smack dab in the middle of the tank which results in randomness around the tank. Oh and I forgot to mention the SmartWave controller works wonders for random flow for the tank as well. Love it! __________________ ~Trent Biocube 14 Mixed Reef 75G LPS Reef

06/24/2013, 05:56 PM	#2
MiracleFish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 307	I'm using a Hydor Slim skimmer, however if you're running a sump I recommend something better IMO. I'm doing fine with two Hydor Koralias for flow. But If you want a better running tank than mine, I highly recommend using a sump.

06/24/2013, 06:02 PM	#4
Bobbylite88 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 7	I was thinking about running a sump but I heard that I can get the same resault just by using a skimmer and a good filter? As for Blowers I have heard a lot of good things about hydor, been looking at the 450 nano's.

06/24/2013, 06:32 PM	#6
Bobbylite88 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 7	My mistake I ment the 250's, I was in the middle of reading something in another window while typing. But from what I have read two of those are what i will go for. Now my buddy has a fluval filter he used for his 40 gal salt breeder that he said I could have, is that overkill or would that be good my little reef?

06/24/2013, 10:10 PM	#8
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	I suggest the 425 nano evo koralias. My 29g has a 750 & 550 and its not as much as I would like.

06/24/2013, 10:57 PM	#9
Bobbylite88 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 7	Blind: I was actually wondering about how I should set up my blowers, I will keep your set up in mind and give it a shot Michigan: I would think blowers that big in a 29 would be to much and way to much for a 20?