How is this for a setup?

[dafunkyman]

I plan to have a 20g. I am thinking of getting 20lbs LR, 25lbs LS, a penguin 125 filter, a small flow pump, and either 65 watt PC or (2) 24 watt T-5. The PC has more watts but the T5 has 2 bulbs so one can be actinic. Which would be better. I have heard people say that LR is enough filtration and that you should not use a filter. What is everyones opinion on that? Is 20lbs LR and 25lbs LS enough? And lastly I think I am goint to get an Aquaticlife 115 protein skimmer because it is not expensive and I have seen some people have success with it. Will this be a good setup for easy hardy corals like zoas and mushrooms? I'd like to hear everyones opinion so please post.

 

[snowflakeclown]

It all sounds good to me. If you are getting a hang on back filter, get the aqua clear brand and keep the porous media bag in there for your bacteria bed. Live rock will add filtration from a biological standpoint, but you still need something to catch larger particles and that is where your aqua clear comes in.
Go with the T-5 lights so that you can add corals down the road. The power compacts are good enough for a variety of corals, but not nearly as good as the T-5.
A skimmer won't really be that necessary on such a small tank, but I love them. Your choice. All of your rock and sand poundages seem spot on.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by dafunkyman http:///forum/thread/385072/how-is-this-for-a-setup#post_3375706
I plan to have a 20g. I am thinking of getting 20lbs LR, 25lbs LS, a penguin 125 filter, a small flow pump, and either 65 watt PC or (2) 24 watt T-5. The PC has more watts but the T5 has 2 bulbs so one can be actinic. Which would be better. I have heard people say that LR is enough filtration and that you should not use a filter. What is everyones opinion on that? Is 20lbs LR and 25lbs LS enough? And lastly I think I am goint to get an Aquaticlife 115 protein skimmer because it is not expensive and I have seen some people have success with it. Will this be a good setup for easy hardy corals like zoas and mushrooms? I'd like to hear everyones opinion so please post.

For the easy corals the lights you want are fine. Be very sure because upgrades are expensive. I got smart with the Seahorses tank and got the linkable T5HO so if I decide I want the light hungry corals later on, I won't break the bank on lights like did on my last tank. The linkable T5HO starts with 36w 2 bulbs, one is 10K white and a 420nm actinic...you can link up to 3 lights and replace the actinic with another 10K if you want the light stronger.
I use a filter, and I don't recommend not using one for a beginner. I don't like the type of filter you selected...too much salt creep. I used canisters they have a spray bar that eliminates the need for pointing a power head at the surface.
You will need a power head in your system..I'm not sure if that is what you meant by "filter flow pump"
LOL...I have a 30g for the SH tank and purchased the Aquaticlife 115 for myself. Spanko gave it the thumbs up...and spanko knows his stuff.

 

[dafunkyman]

After some thinking today I decided that I would rather get a 4 bulb t5 and avoid any problems in the future if I want harder corals. I guess ill drop the penguin unless I use carbon then I will take eveything out of it and put some carbon in for a while. By a small flow pump I did mean a powerhead, I just could not think of the word. Which do you recommend? MP10s are awesome but they are quite expensive. For the skimmer I am worried about how the 115 performs. Does it do well in your tank? My LFS sells one that they make at their shop and it is $180 and it seels to get alot of stuff from their DT. But if the 115 works well i would rather spend 60 than 180, but if it does not, then i get the $180 skimmer and waste 60. In a system like that do you think I could keep most corals without problems?

 

[1guydude]

i bought a $40 skimmer off an auction website........that said, I eventually through it in the closet and replaced it with a bakpak skimmer made by cpr. Check craigslist or private sellers if u dont wanna spend the molah......but usually in this hobby wat u spend is wat u get! As far as powerheads tunze and korilia are best but expensive. I have a oceanic powerhead. Idk the quality of this skimmer thats *made* by ur lfs but i do know that u can buy a brand name one for that price. hope this helps!

 

[flower]

There is more to getting a skimmer than just what it costs. HOB skimmers IMO are terrible, I have gone through 4 and I hated every single one of them, they either didn't skim or sent micro bubbles everywhere or over flowed and flooded the floor. My ATO almost had my tank in hypo because the skimmer was pumping out all the saltwater and dumping it behind the tank...I didn't notice until the carpet was soaked.
I like the in sump skimmers but then you have to be concerned if it will fit your sump and the heights you have for clearence under the tank. Besides all of that you need to make sure the skimmer can handle what you have for water volume.
A friend told me as a surprise he sent me a skimmer, the same sweetheart that gave me a bucket if salt. I'm waiting to see if it will work for me since my friend doesn't know my tank or the size of my sump which is small. So I may be sending the aquaticlife back, money is dang tight...I sure hope my surprise gift works for my sump.

 

[1guydude]

Quote:
So I may be sending the aquaticlife back, money is dang tight...I sure hope my surprise gift works for my sump.
ya that would be kool and thats very nice of ur friend.... HOB are the only ones ives owned as i dont run a sump but i have heard people prefer the in sump models! I saved the jebo for the in sump when i upgrade and hopefully i can get it to skim something w/o micro bubbles everywhere!

 

[dafunkyman]

I do not plan to have a sump so that is why I was considering the one my LFS makes. It is like one that some company sells but they changed it so they can sell it. How is the Aquaticlife 115 working for you? Are there any other in tank skimmers that you know of?