i just got a 20 gallon tank setup for free from the in-laws!!! nothing special just stock lighting and powerhead filtration. but it was for FREE!!! i really want to get a false perc. is it okay for me to put 1 in the tank.(how about 2?) I plan to get at least a 55 gallon bowfront in the middle of next year. so he would only be in this tank for maybe a year if not less. will i need a protein skimmer. i know smaller tanks get dirtier faster but how hard would it be to keep it clean with a 20 gallon. i have two seperate powerheads if that makes a difference. also what would be the best anemone to put in it. this will be the only fish (or two?), plus the anemone?, and some cleaners(any recommendations?).....and since this tank is mine now...when i upgrade to the 55 gallon, the 20 will be the sump. thanks for all the help guys. oh and one last thing...oklahomans and texans....what is a good marine fish store to get a "nemo". i just hate knowing that i would be paying at least $23-$30 on shipping alone plus the fish. are their any good LFS in the OK,TX area.
20 gallon tank owners!!!
- Thread starter miniz2k6
- Start date
KingOfJericho
New member
Is the tank already cycled? If not, you shouldn't even be thinking about adding fish for ~8weeks with live rock.
Jovreefer
New member
Well a few things...
You'd need better lights for an anemone first thing.
You can definatly keep 2 percs in a 20 gallon tank with no problems. You will need to cycle the tank first, do alot of reading on here.
Will you just have live rock and percs or did you want to get into corals too?
for now, get some salt, a hydrometer & some live rock in the tank so you can start the cycle.
You will need test kits for ammonia, nitrate & nitrite to test your cycle. A prizim pro hang on skimmer will do fine for 2 fish & they are fairly cheap.
You'd need better lights for an anemone first thing.
You can definatly keep 2 percs in a 20 gallon tank with no problems. You will need to cycle the tank first, do alot of reading on here.
Will you just have live rock and percs or did you want to get into corals too?
for now, get some salt, a hydrometer & some live rock in the tank so you can start the cycle.
You will need test kits for ammonia, nitrate & nitrite to test your cycle. A prizim pro hang on skimmer will do fine for 2 fish & they are fairly cheap.
If you want to get an anemone with your fish, you will need to upgrade your stock lighting and get some good flow going in there.
If you're just getting started, just get your live rock in there and feed the tank a little to get the cycle processing going, after about a month you should be ok to put in the clowns. The anemone will take a little longer - I always hear wait for 9 months. At this point, your tanks parameters should be very stable.
I don't know what type of anemones a false perc naturally hosts in, but what ever type of anemone you desire, I would gear your lighting and flow towards that.
Oh yeah, one last piece of advice, I would try a BTA first - they're the easiest and require less light. And make sure the BTA is a clone from another reefer.
If you're just getting started, just get your live rock in there and feed the tank a little to get the cycle processing going, after about a month you should be ok to put in the clowns. The anemone will take a little longer - I always hear wait for 9 months. At this point, your tanks parameters should be very stable.
I don't know what type of anemones a false perc naturally hosts in, but what ever type of anemone you desire, I would gear your lighting and flow towards that.
Oh yeah, one last piece of advice, I would try a BTA first - they're the easiest and require less light. And make sure the BTA is a clone from another reefer.
