True Perc Setup

[torbett]

I bought a perc last night, and my Maroon is giving him hell, so I'm setting up a 20 gal tank for the perc. It is just going to be a fish only tank. I'm going to put astablished live sand, and water from my other tank into it. What type of filteration system do I have to have, and do I have to run a skimmer? Thanks in advance.

Torbett

 

[torbett]

Also, do I need expensive lighting for the system?


Torbett

 

[kamil5000]

Any Live Rock to be added?

If it is only a fish tank (no corals or Invertabrates) then lighting is not important and you can get away with normal output lights - same as used in FW. If you do have some live rocks and want to see some coraline algea grow then you could get a reasonably proced PC fixture for the 20g tank.

IMO a skimmer is important as it will take the strain of the tank's natural filteration ability (LR & LS).

If you do have LS and LR and a skimmer and maintain a low bio-load - then you will not need any other types of filteration.

If you do not have Live Rock, then you will need a filter where bacteria can thrive on - like a bio wheel, or cansiter filter etc. It really depends on the expected bio load for the tank. If it is just the one Perc that you intend to keep, the you can even get away with a small corner sponge filter.

 

[torbett]

I'm ordering a 65 watt PC ( 10K daylight and 460 nanometer actinic) with a lunar light. I also ordered a skilterfilter (I know they are not that great) for filteration/skimmer capability. I am going to do some live rock. I don't think I'll get as much as the recomended amount for a 20 gal, but this is going to be a fish only. My bioload is not going to be super high.

A perc (maybe a pair), a few snails, crabs, and maybe a few more smaller fish. This is just a home for the perc since my maroon decided he didn't like him and chased him down the overflow of my other tank. Anyways, any comments are appreciated.

Torbett

 

[skeeter-doc]

torbett, if it is only a 20 gal setup, I say only go with a pair of percs, and no other fish, that is not much water at all, and the clowns may get very aggressive towards any tankmates

 

[kamil5000]

If you really wanted to add more fish (apart from the two percs) make sure they are small and can handle Percs - like a yellow tail damsel and a small goby. But not more than that in total.

Also, if you don't want your crabs (hermits) eating you snails - add a few empty shells for the crabs to grow into.