Questions about set-up

[afish70]

ok i need some help again here. man i feel like a total tard right now. i have been told that i need everything i list below and i have been told i do not. so please let me know what i need and don't need as well as if you feel i am missing something. thank you. here is my set up:

20g tank
Emperor 280 bio-wheel filter (with wheel installed)
remora skimmer
stock hood & light w/a 50/50 bulb (ordering new light and glass top)
Hydor Koralia 1
100 watt stealth heater
1 bag live sand
20 lbs. live rock

in habitants:
1 percula clown
1 green clown goby.

that is all i have so please enlighten me.

 

[saleenpwr88]

Drop the bio-wheel filter and maybe add a reactor for phosphate media/carbon and I think you'll be good. If you could add a sump that would be ideal, but not necessary. I would also get some type of clean up crew, couple snails and crabs.

 

[afish70]

any specific kind of crabs or snails? i was thinking abou like a Peppermint shrimp possibly.

 

[chicano]

I would change the emperor for an Aquaclear and use it as a refugium with a small clamp on lamp. This is how I have mine set-up.

Cpr backpak Skimmer
Current Usa 2x65 watt light fixture
150 watt heater inside the Aquaclear
Aquaclear with cheato an LR rubble
Koralia nano
4" DSB
30-35 lbs. of LR.
Zoas
Mushrooms
RBTA
2 GSM Clowns.
Frogspawn
Pulsing Xenia
GSP

 

[ArchiReef]

I have a 20g high with a penguin 350 biowheel and its working fine. I dont understand why some people say biowheel on that size tank and others dont, I have also been told to go both ways with that.

 

[yankeereefer]

afish - please check your PM - I have a 2 different 20H systems you are welcome to come by and see. I live in Naperville

edit - people tend to stay away from the biowheel b/c of it's tendancy to produce nitrates.

 

[afish70]

should i take off the bio wheel or the entire Emperor?

 

[saleenpwr88]

Definately take off the bio-wheel, they are know to produce nitrates but you can still use the filter for carbon and mechanical filtration. As for snails/hermits...I would go with a dozen turbos (astrea, not the mexicans as they would probably be too big) and then a dozen blue leg hermits. A shrimp would be fine too and if your going with peps I would get three or four because they hide a lot but are also cheap. Most people have the best luck with cleaner shrimp in terms of activity and being able to view them.

 

[saleenpwr88]

You could also stuff some cheato in the Emperor as well, I have A BUNCH that you could have free if your ever out my way.

 

[JNye]

i think the wheel is okay for a 20 with no sump...more oxygen and surface agitation, I it depends on your water change schedule, IMO.