Is a HOB filter good enough for a 20g tank?

[xxmindgamesxx]

I have an empty 20g tank that i want to turn into a reef aquarium but im not sure if my HOB filter will do the job. I have this HOB filter from a nano all in one tank that was once a reef tank but i had to take it down. It has 4 compartments: a small skimmer, a pump that gets the water into the filter, a place for media filteration(carbon and such) and it has a sponge to remove big debris and other waste. So is it good enough?

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[RobZilla04]

If the bio load is kept low, and sand bed shallow I don't see why it couldn't be successful. This has been done in the past. A sump is not necessary for success.

 

[xxmindgamesxx]

If the bio load is kept low, and sand bed shallow I don't see why it couldn't be successful. This has been done in the past. A sump is not necessary for success.

It will house 2 fish, most probably 2 clown fish. And maybe a clean up crew? Plus a bunch of coral of course.

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[j.falk]

Disregard.

 

[xxmindgamesxx]

I would recommend a protein skimmer over a power filter.

The hob filter does include a small skimmer

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[j.falk]

The hob filter does include a small skimmer

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Yeah, I missed that when I first read through it. My vote would be to get rid of the hob altogether and go with a really good protein skimmer in it's place. It will keep your water clean and not trap all the debris like a filter cartridge/sponge would.

 

[xxmindgamesxx]

Yeah, I missed that when I first read through it. My vote would be to get rid of the hob altogether and go with a really good protein skimmer in it's place. It will keep your water clean and not trap all the debris like a filter cartridge/sponge would.

Do you have any recommendations for a decent skimmer?

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[j.falk]

Do you have any recommendations for a decent skimmer?

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I've been running an Aqua C Remora on my 34 column for almost a year now...I really like it. The water stays pristine and I have a drain tube on it that runs into a sealed 5 gallon bucket so that I don't have to empty the collection cup every day.

I bought mine new from Drs. Foster & Smith but you can find used ones on Ebay for very good prices.

 

[AlSimmons]

I have an empty 20g tank that i want to turn into a reef aquarium but im not sure if my HOB filter will do the job. I have this HOB filter from a nano all in one tank that was once a reef tank but i had to take it down. It has 4 compartments: a small skimmer, a pump that gets the water into the filter, a place for media filteration(carbon and such) and it has a sponge to remove big debris and other waste. So is it good enough?

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The rock you have in the tank will be your primary biological filter, so there's really no need for the HOB unit IMO. I guess you could use it to run chemical filters like GAC or GFO if need be, maybe even a sponge for a few hours when you stir things up, but overall it's basically a tool you can do without.

If you are set on having a skimmer though you might want to look into the AquaticLife 115 Internal Protein Skimmer. It's not very big, not very expensive and does a hell of a job removing organics, especially for the price.

 

[xxmindgamesxx]

The rock you have in the tank will be your primary biological filter, so there's really no need for the HOB filter IMO. I guess you could use it to run chemical filters like GAC or GFO if need be, maybe even a sponge for a few hours when you stir things up, but overall it's basically just a tool you can do without.

If your set on having a skimmer though you might want to look into the AquaticLife 115 Internal Protein Skimmer. It's not very big, not very expensive and does a hell of a job, especially for the price.

So youre saying that my HBO filter with the skimmer in it will be even more than i need as long as i have good biological filteration ?

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[AlSimmons]

Yes, basically.. Use a decent water source, don't overstock, don't overfeed, maybe stir up or vacuum the sand bed on occasion etc. It's amazing what a little elbow grease can accomplish sometimes.

 

[xxmindgamesxx]

Yes, basically.. Use a decent water source, don't overstock, don't overfeed, maybe stir up or vacuum the sand bed on occasion etc. It's amazing what a little elbow grease can accomplish sometimes.

Yeah i wont add more than 2 fish plus corals obviously.. and ive heard that i shouldnt disturb the sand bed and just let it be..?


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[j.falk]

i shouldnt disturb the sand bed and just let it be..?

I heard that when starting out and had issues with cyanobacteria growing on the sand...once I started vacuuming the sand on a regular basis...no more cyano problems. I vacuum 25% of the sand every other water change.

 

[AlSimmons]

and ive heard that i shouldnt disturb the sand bed and just let it be..?


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You can go that route if you want, (many people do with great success) but after removing a sand bed that was 9 years old and seeing what came out of it I"m convinced that stirring up/vacuuming your substrate on a regular basis is a good thing. (at least once a month/from the start) By doing this I don't have to rely on things like GFO, GAC, Carbon dosing, an ATS or a Refugium either. Your basically nipping things in the bud with elbow grease.

FWIW here's a picture of that tank mentioned above. All of the rocks and about half of the sand have been removed at this point. Yuck!

 

[xxmindgamesxx]

Yes, basically.. Use a decent water source, don't overstock, don't overfeed, maybe stir up or vacuum the sand bed on occasion etc. It's amazing what a little elbow grease can accomplish sometimes.

Is drinking water considered good? And how does TDS affect water quality?

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[AlSimmons]

Sometimes... I've been in the same spot using tap water for almost 18 years now without any problems. It wasn't until last fall when I had a good job and some extra money that I decided to get a RO/DI unit. (BRS) Other than a little dusting of Diatoms on the glass/sand every now and then I really haven't noticed a difference. I'm still getting 0 on the TDS meter, but I'm going to push it for awhile. I think it was back in 2010 I had the LFS test my water and it was 46. Right now it's 32. I've seen it as high as 146 I believe. Anyways, a pure water source doesn't necessarily mean success. There's a lot of pieces to the puzzle so to say & YOU might be the Joker.

The link below might help.

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/1/chemistry

 

[xxmindgamesxx]

Sometimes... I've been in the same spot using tap water for almost 18 years now without any problems. It wasn't until last fall when I had a good job and some extra money that I decided to get a RO/DI unit. (BRS) Other than a little dusting of Diatoms on the glass/sand every now and then I really haven't noticed a difference. I'm still getting 0 on the TDS meter, but I'm going to push it for awhile. I think it was back in 2010 I had the LFS test my water and it was 46. Right now it's 32. I've seen it as high as 146 I believe. Anyways, a pure water source doesn't necessarily mean success. There's a lot of pieces to the puzzle so to say & YOU might be the Joker.

The link below might help.

https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/1/chemistry

Thank you so much. Since youre here and you clearly know your stuff i wanted to ask, what can you tell me about cycling a tank? Ik this is kind of dumb and ive watched tons of vids but i wanna hear what you think should be done. Thankss

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[AlSimmons]

I usually just throw a small piece of shrimp into the tank and wait. There will always be a way to speed it up the process, but if your in this for the long haul then why? Just let nature take it's course, no? In other words go slow, keep it simple.. Just as an example the only thing that separates a happy healthy goldfish tank and a happy healthy reef tank is the temperature & the salt. (maybe the light too) It's basically all the same though, but it's up to YOU to make it work. I hope that made since. GL