FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have mine in rubbermaid tub holding tanks. Not in main displays. (too ugly for main display) I just use them to keep water circulating.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

A 100 - 150W heater would work for your tank.

I wouldn't try to get multiple clown gobies because any aggression that can occur is always amplified in a small tank, like yours.

As for the skimmer, it's better to get any skimmer than no skimmer. So just try to get the best you can afford. I have no experience, and I haven't heard anyones comments on the visi jet skimmer. Maybe skim through the reviews at reefcentral.com and see what people have to say.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

What about the skimmer I mentioned? Would that do the job, or would something else do it better?

How large (or small) of a heater do I need?

Btw, I've done lots and lots of reasearch, and I'm totally ready. I know all about the light and careful stocking.

Thanks!

And not only will you have to watch the oxygen content, in addition to the normal params like pH, ammonia, nitrIte, nitrAte, you also have to keep an eye on things like calcium, hardness, alkalinity.

Saltwater fish are hardy providing you give them the right conditions. Freshwater fish can live in a variety of environments...saltwater fish are a tad more picky with their water. You gotta tweak it just right.

Dont let this discourage you, just trying to give you a little heads up. Do your research, it'll save you money, I promie.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

I agree with Liana......if this is your first tank, I would stear clear of fish until you have a firm grasp on the water quality and what it takes.

Be warned...

a 20 gallon isn't much room for fish at all

Saltwater cannot hold as much oxygen as freshwater can, therefore lowering the stocking ratios SEVERLY. Basically, you'll deprive your fish of oxygen if there's not enough surface agitation, surface area, or room for the exchange of gases.

I'd be very careful...

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Skimmers: What about the Visi Jet Protein Skimmer (From Aq. Systems)? Would it do as good of a job in a 20-gal as a $75 skimmer?

Fish: I think it'd be AWESOME to keep a small group of yellow or green clown gobies (two or three), but I've read that they are agressive among themselves . Has anyone ever actually seen that? Would fighting like that occur in a 20-gal with lots of hiding spaces, food, and LR?

Thanks!

How about Purple Firefish?
They are pretty cool and im sure they
can be kept in a group!


Come Play Yahtzee With Me!
http://games.atari.com
Http://www.myleague.com/yahtgames

Skimmers are the one thing you shouldn't really skimp on. I use an in sump skimmer by Aqua C which is doing a good job IMO. I got it on ebay. I'm sure you could find the hang on Remora by Aqua C on there as well.

As far as cool small fish - the yellow/green clown goby and rainford's goby come to mind or a jawfish or 2(added at the same time) if you have a nice DSB of 3-4 inches. They have great character.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Sounds like a pretty neat tank set up. I am not really into SW but I have been learning a bit from my new job.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I'm getting a 20-Gallon SW tank (soon)and definitley want a skimmer. What kind would be best? I DO have funds, but im not willing to spend much more than $75 US on a skimmer. Would the $30 Berlin Air Lift ones be good enough? I have only really seen those and $75+ ones, but nothing in between.

Are there any small fish (esp. gobies, because gobies ROCK!!!) that could live happily in a pair or trio?

If it matters, the tank will have 20-25 pounds LR, a couple small fish (see above Q), a bunch of inverts (like feather dusters, hermits, and maybe a shrimp), and probably a mushroom-covered rock or two.

Thanks in advance!!

Thanks everyone!
After I set the tank up(sooner or later), I'll start a log or something...


Thanks again to anyone who said anything!

Haha...ditto.

And I second mag drives. One of my favorites. I didn't know they made a Mag 3, I thought my Mag 5 was the smallest.

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

Id still go with the hagens.....Id get the remora without a pump, or upgrade to a mag 3

Ill read the whole thread next time

I think he was talking about the powerhead for the remora....I think

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

If you are going to use powerheads in the tank, I would go with Hagen/aquaclear powerheads. They move a lot of water, and are cheaper priced

SKIM through! I get it!!!]
I checked reviews at wetwebmedia.com and they said the Visi-jet was a poor choice. They did say that Red Sea Prizms were poor choices for large aquariums, but a 20-gal is certainly not large. They said they were good and inexpensive choices for tanks 30-gal and under. A Prizm is now first on my list of skimmers. Does anyone have any firsthand experience? Please tell me if you do!

Fish: Is there a difference in maximum size or care required for Ocellaris and Percula clowns? I think a pair of clowns would be nice after the tank it stable and ready.
Thanks-a-bunch!

P.S.: Sort of unrelated, but when the tank is all settled, would I be able to keep a small starfifh? If so, what would be a good species? The orange sea star (Echunaster sp.) and the Black and red sea star(Formia milleporella) looked like (relatively) hardy and small species.
Thanks again!

EDIT: Did some more research and found the Prizm Deluxe for about $13 more. THAT is my new skimmer frontrunner, because it has a surface skimmer and a refillable media basket that I can put activated carbon into. That'll help alot. UNLESS it won't. Please tell me if you know of any reason my plan might fail. Thanks!!!


Last edited by 123mjb at 06-Nov-2005 12:19

For smaller tanks they are great....for tanks larger than 30g they dont move enough water IMO

I like my maxijet.

It works great, I've never had a problem with it. Plus it's common enough that if you have a problem, replacement parts are REALLY easy to get/find.

They're one of my favorite powerheads...but yet, I hate powerheads.

mmk

-Formerly known as the Ferretfish

no.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients