Power filter on a 20 gal

vinniemabuna · 06/07/2007, 10:21 AM

Hi, is a aqua clear power filter with sponge , bio balls OK for a 20 gal. long tank. I will have LR anf CC in the tank all cycled. Will my nitrates go up because of the sponge in the filter, I will be cleaning it once a week .

Str8baller · 06/07/2007, 10:29 AM

You will see nitrate problems because of the sponge and bioballs, buts it of take out the bioballs and change the sponge once a week, you should be fine. BTW how much LR and LS?

papagimp · 06/07/2007, 11:24 AM

You'll only see problems with nitrates because of the bioballs and/or sponges if they are not properly maitained and you have poor maintance habits. A lack of sufficient live rock would also cause this when used with bioballs. Personally, I'd leave the bioballs out completely, and keep the sponge filter very clean. And also, that Crushed Coral sandbed will probably cause more issued than the bioballs and sponge combined.

Than you have to take into consideration the bioload you have on the tank and the filtering capacity of the rock and sand you have. How large of water changes you are performing, how often, type of skimmer being used, carbon being used, ect. ect. Lot's to take into consideration.

fwiw, the nitrates will go up because of lack of nitrate exportation. The only means to remove them are going to be through water changes to dilute the current tank water, using a DSB or similar method of anerobic bacteria to convert nitrates to harmless gas that escapes the system through surface agitation, or having macro algae using up the nitrates and phospahtes from the water for food/nutrients. And then minimizing the nitrate imporation on the tank, do not overfeed, do not leave dead and dying livestock/organic matter in the tank. regularly clean all filters, if it needs it more than once a week, do it more than once a week.

all that said, it's possible to keep a tank with your listed specs just fine without nitrate problems, alot will just depend on the quality of rock being used, your maintance, and how well the tank matures and seeds. I"ve seen 20g with no skimmers, no power filters, no routine maintance performed, and everything else pointing towards disaster and yet the tank flourishes regardless, and then I've seen similar 20g's with all the bells and wistles and the tank does horrible regardless.

rickh · 06/07/2007, 02:37 PM

Here is a tip for a Aquaclear HOB.
I run a nano with an Aquaclear with two sponges and a piece of filter sock like material sandwiched between the sponges. The water is unbelievably clear and the sock material gets sooo dirty. Try it.

nbku3vm · 06/07/2007, 02:55 PM

I put a couple of baffles in my AC110 an use it as a fuge. I put sand, rubble rock, and cheto, with a 50/50 screw in bulb in a lamp that originally housed a 60 watt bulb on my nightstand. It is all on my 20gl and works awesome!

vinniemabuna · 06/07/2007, 08:59 PM

WOW thanks guys for your info, this is my first SW tank in a long time, Ive had Africans and tropicals foe a long time. This is an experiment for me , I want to eventually get a LARGE tank . Im going to clean out my filter 2 times a week , I will have about 20 lbs. og LR . I dont want the CC but I dont want to pay for Live sand right now..

I will have 2 fish in there about 4 inches total. Im going to try to find Cheto macro alge somewhere locally for nitrate control.

06/07/2007, 10:21 AM	#1
vinniemabuna Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117	Power filter on a 20 gal Hi, is a aqua clear power filter with sponge , bio balls OK for a 20 gal. long tank. I will have LR anf CC in the tank all cycled. Will my nitrates go up because of the sponge in the filter, I will be cleaning it once a week . __________________ My wife said, its either me or them fish ! .WOW Im sure going to miss her !!

06/07/2007, 11:24 AM	#3
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	You'll only see problems with nitrates because of the bioballs and/or sponges if they are not properly maitained and you have poor maintance habits. A lack of sufficient live rock would also cause this when used with bioballs. Personally, I'd leave the bioballs out completely, and keep the sponge filter very clean. And also, that Crushed Coral sandbed will probably cause more issued than the bioballs and sponge combined. Than you have to take into consideration the bioload you have on the tank and the filtering capacity of the rock and sand you have. How large of water changes you are performing, how often, type of skimmer being used, carbon being used, ect. ect. Lot's to take into consideration. fwiw, the nitrates will go up because of lack of nitrate exportation. The only means to remove them are going to be through water changes to dilute the current tank water, using a DSB or similar method of anerobic bacteria to convert nitrates to harmless gas that escapes the system through surface agitation, or having macro algae using up the nitrates and phospahtes from the water for food/nutrients. And then minimizing the nitrate imporation on the tank, do not overfeed, do not leave dead and dying livestock/organic matter in the tank. regularly clean all filters, if it needs it more than once a week, do it more than once a week. all that said, it's possible to keep a tank with your listed specs just fine without nitrate problems, alot will just depend on the quality of rock being used, your maintance, and how well the tank matures and seeds. I"ve seen 20g with no skimmers, no power filters, no routine maintance performed, and everything else pointing towards disaster and yet the tank flourishes regardless, and then I've seen similar 20g's with all the bells and wistles and the tank does horrible regardless. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

06/07/2007, 08:59 PM	#6
vinniemabuna Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 117	WOW thanks guys for your info, this is my first SW tank in a long time, Ive had Africans and tropicals foe a long time. This is an experiment for me , I want to eventually get a LARGE tank . Im going to clean out my filter 2 times a week , I will have about 20 lbs. og LR . I dont want the CC but I dont want to pay for Live sand right now.. I will have 2 fish in there about 4 inches total. Im going to try to find Cheto macro alge somewhere locally for nitrate control. __________________ My wife said, its either me or them fish ! .WOW Im sure going to miss her !!

06/07/2007, 10:29 AM	#2
Str8baller Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: IL Posts: 124	You will see nitrate problems because of the sponge and bioballs, buts it of take out the bioballs and change the sponge once a week, you should be fine. BTW how much LR and LS?

06/07/2007, 02:37 PM	#4
rickh Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lost_in_Michigan Posts: 1,306	Here is a tip for a Aquaclear HOB. I run a nano with an Aquaclear with two sponges and a piece of filter sock like material sandwiched between the sponges. The water is unbelievably clear and the sock material gets sooo dirty. Try it.

06/07/2007, 02:55 PM	#5
nbku3vm Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Arizona Posts: 124	I put a couple of baffles in my AC110 an use it as a fuge. I put sand, rubble rock, and cheto, with a 50/50 screw in bulb in a lamp that originally housed a 60 watt bulb on my nightstand. It is all on my 20gl and works awesome!