CO2 in a 20gal Reef Tank?

[cornetet]

I'm extremely new to saltwater and just started my very 1st tank.

Here is what I've got setup so far:
> 20 gal high tank (24in wide x 12in deep x 17in high)
> Pengiun 300 Dual BioWheels
> 20lbs of live sand
> Water with InstantOcean (spec gravity is 1.021-1.022) (pH 8.2 currently)
> Coralife 96watt 4-tube 50% 10,000k & 50% blue actiniclight
> 15lbs Live Rock (but planning on putting another 15lbs in later)

My plans:
1) to get the live rock stabilized in the tank for about 3-4 weeks
2) start adding live coral after that
3) start adding clown fish 2min / 4max

QUESTION:
I have one of those Hagen CO2 Systems that you put sugar and yeast in a canister and it diffuses CO2 bubbles in the tank.

Is it a good idea to have a CO2 system in a small 20gal reef tank?

Will it hurt/kill my live rock, my live coral?

Or will it help my live rock / live coral thrive?

I need some clear straight answers, please.

[dobejazz]

Welcome to TRT !! I don't have answer on the CO2 but someone extremely knowledgable
will jump in to answer soon

[VWD]

It will lower your PH, CO2 in reef with Calcium reactor only, You must have been into planted tanks. Co2 lower the PH in the reactor to break down media and raise calcium and other trace elements , Then by time it get into the display of sump most if not all the Co2 is used up and just water with higher levels of calcium get back into the system, If too much co2 make it way to the tank the the PH will drop, I am sure Tom can give a better detailed answer.

[VWD]

So the answer is No for just putting CO2 into tank .

[cornetet]

Sounds too complicated.... so I will leave it out of the tank.

I have a 2nd tank... a Discus tank... I tried live Sword plants in little clay pots(which thrived) but also caused alot of algae and made the tank look like crap with a green-cast. Took away from the colors of the Discus.

I've learned with my Discus tank to just do clean clean water with NO additives except for Prime. I have a whole house filter and a water-softener unit.

In the first 4 months....I messed with the water chemistry...my first 3 Discus out of 4 died.

Ever since I just dealt with clean water with Prime and NOTHING ELSE....I haven't lost a single Discus in over a year (knock on wood).

The six Discus I now have require a 50% water change a week with just clean tap water coming out of my whole house filter and water-softener.

[VWD]

I have been wanting to start a planted tank , I have a few old stainless steel tank I will try one. Tom or someone else may be able to help with more info.

[Geoff]

Welcome to TRT!!



i would not recommend more than 1 fish in a 20g. the more fish you have the harder it is to keep the tank clean. you need to get a protein skimmer. power filters are not very helpfull on reef tanks.

G~

[Loverotties]

Welcome to TRT.No I wouldn't.

[skeety]

Welcome! ANd great advice so far!


a reef tank only really needs 2 things for filtration. Live Rock, and a good (don't skimp here) skimmer!

canisters, bio-balls, bio-wheels, etc are all okay for Fish Only (FO) tanks, but they will cause your Nitrates to be consistantly high...and that's VERY bad for a reef tank!

Just get about 5 more lbs of LR, and replace your Penguin with a good skimmer!

Good luck, and keep the questions coming!

and again...welcome!