starting 20 gallon tank need advice

[coyle]

Hello, I have a 20gallon high tank with 3 penguin powerheads total of 500gph
(and the venturi system is hooked up so it's blowing a LOT of bubbles around) connected to an ugf covered with first large gravel, then a mix of small gravel and coral gravel on top; it's heated by a ebo 100watt, currently has a small hang on back style carbon filter and a regular hood with a 15watt aqua rays light. There's a 10 gallon tank under it currently housing some stuff that could be moved to another tank if I need to use this for something later on.
I will change or add whatever is needed within reason and want a tank with inverts like crabs, snails and hopefully starfish. If it will help I would like to get some kind of live rock coral etc but want to keep the current hood so just one light source.
I've read that bubbles are bad but I like the look of them if I can keep them that would be great but I can always unhook the venturis.
I'm thinking of getting a nice protein skimmer (I read the 101 sticky above) and probably a canister filter like an eheim. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[dsmccain]

Hey hows it going? Kudos to the 20 gallon high, but I will tell you one thing, you are going to want more room! haha But thats ok, I speak from experience, I too, have entered the hobby with a 20 gallon high aquarium, its been a blast. My tank is doing great, but I only have room for my Percula, and pair of Firefish gobies, oh, and a scooter blenny. I really want to add more fish, but am scared that there might not be more room.
With my inverts, I got about 6 tiny hermit crabs, and 2 hitchhiker starfish, they're little, but I would recommend those rather than pay for big ones. I got mine for free, the LFS just gave them to me haha
Anywho, good job on the equipment, the one downside I would see on the bubbles, is that you will have more of "salt creep".
With the lighting you have, its like mine, just basic florescent lighting, I honestly don't want to see you waste money on coral or anenomes, they will just wither away and die within time. But I do recommend putting some live rock, its the back bone of a saltwater tank. And heck, some even come with mini corals haha, but yea. With your equipment, I would just recommend a fish only tank and you'll be fine.
Also! With a 20 gallon, prepare to top off your water every day or two! Gotta keep the salt level consistent!

 

[coyle]

Thanks for the the advice. So if I remove the "bubbles" will I have enough aeration just with the high water flow? And do I need a refugium or a skimmer? And can the live rock live with the lighting/setup I have? Thanks.
(I know I can't have much in the way of fish with this size but I'll be happy with some crabs, snails, shrimps and that kind of little stuff.)

 

[crypt keeper]

You need something to filter out the poop and any waste matter that can build up. The skimmer works best. In that small of a tank a fuge wont be needed. Live rock will be fine. It just wont grow as much coraline than you see in others tanks. No biggie though. It can become annoying.
You can put 3 or 4 smaller fish in there and be fine.
Firefish. Smaller gobies. Blennies. There are a million fish that swim much that stay under 4 inches and would do great in that tank.
Id get a fire fish. Bi color blenny. Yasha goby. Clownfish pair. Buy them captive bred. The clownfish I mean. You can get them under an inch all day long and they will take more than a year to out grow that tank. By then trust me you will already have a bigger tank.

 

[coyle]

Ok, should I set up a sump? I'll get a coralife protein skimmer and I guess I'll remove the venturi bubbles from the powerhead if there will still be enough aeration without them.
I read all this fancy sump stuff and wonder if I need to include everything or if just the protein skimmer will be enough. I just want little inverts and maybe a couple little fish like some clownfish or something. Thanks everyone.