20gallon QT, need a skimmer?

[smcdonn]

Well guys I am about to get my 75 gallon up and running but was wondering if I could turn my 20 gallon fresh water setup into a QT without much trouble. right now all it has is a hang on filter for fresh water. could I just throw a couple of pieces of live rock in there with a shrimp or something and not run a protein skimmer and just run the hang on filter. The hang on filter is just a debris filter with the carbon in it. I would like to have this thing up and running so if I had an emergency, I could put some fish in it for a short period of time. So would it be ok to run this tank like this. I wouldn't have any fish in it, maybe just a shrimp or a few crabs, just to keep the whole biological element of the tank going. Well let me know what you think. Thanks guys.

P.S. "What the %$#@ is wrong with the search engine, hasn't worked for me since DAY ONE."?!?!

 

[bertoni]

That sounds like a reasonable plan, although the tank likely will need a bit more circulation. Depending on the amount of live rock, you might also need more filtration.

I likely wouldn't put the shrimp in there, and keep in mind that you might end up having to pitch the live rock if something nasty shows up. A separate tank for medication or hyposalinity might also be necessary.

 

[smcdonn]

I was planning on just having a powerhead in the tank for the circulation. What could I put in the tank to keep the biological filtration going?

 

[LaloV.]

i think you should just use PVC tubes for shelter and you can have a exterior filter, you only take the filtration media to the sump, and wait 2 weeks so the bacteria covers it.
And other problems will be solved with water changes.
But if you continue with the original plan you will have to take care of it like if it were a nano tank.

 

[bertoni]

If you want to keep the cycle going, you could just feed a tiny bit of fish food and some phytoplankton. That should keep the live rock going. It will be like running a nano, I agree. Up to you. The PVC approach will be easier, most likely.