Is Power Filter Necessary?

[Phuster]

Hi all,

 

I am a newbie to reefing and have had a tank up for 2 1/2 months. Currently I have a 20 gallon tall tank with 3 fish (Ocellaris Clown, Banggai Cardinalfish, Yellow Watchman Goby), cleaner shrimp, a Maxima clam and a few snails. I also have some coral (Kenya tree, mushrooms, ricordia, goniopora, candy cane, and frogspawn).

 

I am running a Aquatic life 24" T5 4x24 Watt lights

 

35lbs Live Rock

 

2x Koralia Powerhead total around 700gph

 

My parameters are:

 

sp grav 1.024

Ph 8.2

Nitrate 5

Phos 0

Calcium 480

Nitrite 0

KH 9

Ammonia 0

 

I am running a Aqua C Remora protein skimmer with Maxijet 1200 as well as a Aqueon Power Filter 20. I am expecting to get a reactor from BRS to run GFO and Carbon. I was wondering if it is needed to use the power filter? It is taking up room in the back and would like any input. Thank you.

 

 

Phuster

[bananahands]

Not at all. In fact it may do more harm than good. Just make sure you have plenty of live rock and flow.

 

Edit: it looks like the filter is your main source of flow. I'd take out the filter and add a power head or two. I recommend a koralia nano, the 400ish gph version.

[GokesReef]

Once you have the reactor, the HoB filter will be redundant. Stuff it with chaeto and put a submersible LED in it.

 

Now you has a fuge!