Lianne Posted September 8, 2002 Share Posted September 8, 2002 First of all I'm trying to decide between the Eclipse 12/acrylic and a regular 20 gal glass tank. Their going to cost the same. Can't I get VHO for either? I'm actually only interested in a fish only tank, very few corals. How necessary is a protein skimmer on a small tank? I haven't seen any that look small enough or in my budget. I hated the bakpak on our big tank. Isn't 1 powerhead enough for a small tank? What should the turnover rate be, what small powerheads do you recommend? What's a good online store to buy liverock? I won't need more than 20 lbs but don't know of a place that will ship under 45 lbs. Our LFS here sucks, I can't wait to move. Got any good advice for me? Link to comment
NanoReefer53 Posted September 8, 2002 Share Posted September 8, 2002 If you want more fish then go with the 20g although u can't really cram that many fish in there. go for something bigger if u want a FO tank. Pc's are good enough if u wanna keep some of the easier sofite ones. Yes, you will need a skimmer if u intend on keeping more fish. 2 powerheads are better than 1, u get a more variety of flows that way. This place here sells excellent live rock for $130 shipped for 30lbs. http://www.gulf-view.com/coralline.html. Link to comment
Lianne Posted September 9, 2002 Author Share Posted September 9, 2002 I figured I can't go without a protein skimmer, that's ok. I'll be saving my money up for this tank. Maybe I will move to a nice 20 or even 30 gal tank. I want to wait till we move to start this tank, plus I'll have a set back because we have a baby on the way. But it'll be worth it ofcourse. I have never done corals before ,that's why I'm kinda hesitant. I have a 55 gal but I want something smaller because I hated the water changes. Link to comment
printerdown01 Posted September 9, 2002 Share Posted September 9, 2002 You will have to preform routine waterchanges on a smaller system... These are more important than on a large system! However, they are a LOT easier to do... I have to change out a gallon every other week so it's not that hard! I hated having to lift those 5 gallon buckets over the tank (especially when I was 12!!). LOL, but it was worth it! Corals really aren't that hard, if you have the proper lighting and maintain the tank. I promise! :-D Link to comment
gobies Posted September 9, 2002 Share Posted September 9, 2002 Skip the Eclipse tank: - they need a lighting retrofit to have enough light for corals - you can't put a skimmer on back without cutting the hood - the filter isn't particularly useful, since most people take out the bio-wheel and don't use carbon all the time - so you end up spending extra $$ for stuff you don't need A 20g high tank will let you put a skimmer on it; a 20g long is too short for most skimmers. Personally, I have a 10g going now, and I'm moving it into the 30g. I could have chosen a 20g long or 20g high, but the 30g gives me extra space to do stuff and have one or two more fish. Besides, if you do a 30g, I've already done the research and asked the questions on what equipment to use. Even on a 30g, water changes shouldn't be too bad -- a gallon of water weighs about 8 lbs, and the baby should top that in no time flat. (If you have a cat, the 20 lb containers of cat litter are about 2.5 g -- perfect amount for that weekly water change.) Link to comment
Lianne Posted September 9, 2002 Author Share Posted September 9, 2002 I figure the Eclipse 12 would be too much pain. I am thinking of doing just a 30 gal with a nice stand to hide equipment, not sure if I want another hood or not. I just don't want to get any bigger than that. Then what would be the point of downsizing, cause that I could just use my 55 gal. I like the idea of taking less water out on water changes. I hate lifting those heavy buckets too. I want to go for a small skimmer like a SeaClone or Prizm. Are those ok skimmers? I hated my Bakpak cause it was to big and bulky. Lianne: Link to comment
mimie Posted September 10, 2002 Share Posted September 10, 2002 1)I'd go with the 20G just because I have one. 2)Definitely recommend a skimmer, best in class include Aqua-C, Berlin and Tunze. Go for the best. 3)Since it's a FO tank, ligthing would serve an asthetic purpose. I kept several button polyps and a green open brain under 15W, 10000K lamps. Placed high though. The trick is to also feed them once a week. 4) Pwrhead turn0ver rate should be at least 10 times the size of your tank ~ 200 gph. 5) Try themarinecenter.com Best Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.