questions - setting up a new tank.

[xaflatoonx]

This is my first nano tank.

Setting up a IM fusion 20.

 

A series of questions.

 

1. Should i buy a reactor AND media baskets? or is it supposed to be one or the other.

 

2. If i just stick to media baskets - where do i get those bags which i can fill with medias like gfo or carbon?

 

3. What else should i use the media baskets for - besides GFO and carbon?

 

some guidance here is appreciated.

 

4. Is the ghost skimmer a good buy or do i need to get the tunze? are there any other options?

 

5. I bought the MJ1200 pump to replace the stock based on the reading i did - do i still need a mp10? I plan to make this a Nem and clown only tank with a few softies... no sps.

 

 

Before i get flamed for asking questions that i am sure are basic to a lot of you experts - i have done a lot of reading and searching on this forum - these are just the questions i am still confused about

 

thanks again.

[Clown79]

 

Congrats on your new tank

 

You don't have to have a reactor, thats personal choice. Some ppl use them, others don't.

Not sure what the stock media basket is like on the 20 but I didn't like the 1 that came with the 10g. I upgraded mine and I really like it.

 

The bags can be purchased in most fish stores. Petsmart sells them.

 

I only run carbon and floss in the media basket, some will use things like phosguard, phosban, chemi pure etc. People often use those when needed while others do all the time.

 

I don't use a skimmer. If you choose one, I have heard the tunze skimmers are good.

 

I have the mj900 in my 10g, it provides strong water movement. 1200 should be good in the 20g.

Once you set up the tank you will get a better idea if you need to add a powerhead. You can add some flake food and watch the movement of it within the tank. Check for dead spots.

 

You could always get the spin stream gadget for water movement.

 

I love anemones but they can be difficult so I have never attempted one. I know they require high lighting, great water quality, and can get caught in equipment.

I'm sure someome with experience with the Nems can offer some suggestions in that area.

 

Are you doing dry rock, liverock, or a mix of both?

[vlangel]

Hi axflatoonx and welcome to N-R! All questions are valid so don't feel bad or embarassed. We all had to start somewhere in our reefing experience. Just like clown79 shared a reactor nor a skimmer is necessary. Different creatures have different needs and different aquarists have different methods of meeting their wards' needs.

 

In your case clowns, nems and softies don't need pristine, ultra low nutrient water parameters. They can do just fine with reasonable clean water which can be attained without skimmers or reactors. I would set up a system where your rock and sand give you biological filtration. If you use live rock/sand then you should have a short cycle and you can get your clowns fairly quickly. If you are using dry rock/sand then the cycle will be longer and will need more time to build up. There are pros and cons both ways. Once your tank is cycled, and you have some clowns and coral and you find that you are starting to struggle with high nitrates or algae issues that you can't control with less feeding, then I would consider a skimmer and/or reactor. With that in mind it is a good idea to have a plan how you would add one later so it can be done easily. And don't wait so long that your tank is a hot algae mess before you add one because a bad algae problem is harder to fix. However not adding one right away will help you learn as an aquarist some of the balancing necessary to maintaining a reef. Give enough food as to have healthy happy fish but not so much excess food as to pollute the tank. Remember that nutrients can be kept in check with a good regimented water change schedule.

 

As far as powerheads, the coral can be happy with any of them but be warned, many a nem have met their demise getting sucked into them. If you are getting adequate flow without a powerhead, with nems I would try to do it that way. There are small rio powerheads that have close grating that would offer some protection but its not sure proof.

 

Go slow and continue to read and please keep asking questions. Best of luck to you!

[xaflatoonx]

Thank you to both of you - I really appreciate the kind welcoming words and advice.

All i need is a good looking stand and i will start my build thread soon

Thanks again.