filter options

[kelpforest]

I keep goingo back and forth on these two options for my 20G cube

Hang on filter or canister filters

People say canister filters are bad but I hear if you clean them and change the media once a month they are fine, I also plan to add a hang on skimmer and at leat two powerheads

and if you have an opinion could you list a brand, for canister I am looking at

cascade
fluval
jebo
eheim (ecco and professional)
magnum

for hang on I am looking at:

whisper
tetra
penguin
emperor
cascade
millenium
jebo
cascade
(I didn't like the eheim hang on)

-eddy

thanks, any other options that are simple (I'm new) would be welcome as well

[kelpforest]

also the lights I am looking at are PC's (power compacts) 2 bulbs, daylight and attinic, 64 watts total so about 3.2 watts per gallon, what other than mushrooms can I keep under this or should I go with a MH pendant

[tims]

are you stuck on a HOB or canaster?, can you do a sump? you could do a 10g sump and then hide everything if you have room,

but i do use a mag. canaster 24/7 , yes i do keep it clean about every2 weeks or so including tubing, and using a HOB skimmer ( for now)seas clone..not the greatest but when i set up the 92g things will be a lot different..
you might be able to have a few softies that like lesser light.
HTH

[kelpforest]

[quote]
are you stuck on a HOB or canaster?, can you do a sump? you could do a 10g sump and then hide everything if you have room,
[quote]

where a good place for instruction, plumbing is my weak point, honestly about the lights I would like to keep LPS but I cant find a fixture built for strong lights that measures less than 17" across, so I thought about an MH HQI pendant, but then theres the heat issue

thanks tims

[tims]

for idea's on makeing your own sump take a look in the DYI area and in the archives, alot of people are makeing there own hood/canopy for the tanks so they can add a retro light kit to it and have the room they need, check the sponors here on TRT and or talk to the LFS that you trust.for cooling of the MH you can use a small fan ( looks like a computer fan, 4x4 inches).
if you run with the MH to ready to add watermore often.

[Superman]

My vote is to definitely go with a sump, especially on such a small tank as a 20 gallon. How long have you been in the hobby? If you are just starting out I would do one of two things a) go with a sump that is at least 15 gallons, and I say AT LEAST. b) get a larger tank, preferably at least a 40 gallon. I say this because starting out can be a bit rough, and the larger the total water volume, the more forgiving your water parameters can be.

If you have your heart set on trying this without a sump, I would go with a canister filter, because most will hold more water volume that a HOB filter. If you are going with a HOB filter I would go with an aquaclear, they are some of the best HOB filters I have ever used and quiet, I would personally go with the aquaclear 500, though I think that they might have renamed there line of HOB filters (the aquaclear 500 is the largest HOB that aquaclear offers.)

The name of the game is to keep water parameters stable, and one of the best ways of doing this is to have as much water in your system as possible, keep this a priority one as you are setting things up and you will do well in the long run.

[kelpforest]

My vote is to definitely go with a sump, especially on such a small tank as a 20 gallon. How long have you been in the hobby? If you are just starting out I would do one of two things a) go with a sump that is at least 15 gallons, and I say AT LEAST. b) get a larger tank, preferably at least a 40 gallon. I say this because starting out can be a bit rough, and the larger the total water volume, the more forgiving your water parameters can be.

I have been in the hobby, just not in two years, in that time alot has changed so I feel new, about getting a bigger tank I am getting a big tank a real big one!

96" x 40" x 24"

...I have some work to do on the house first and I orderred the tank but wont set it up until the spring, I just wanted to set up this 20 gallon to get used to the idea of keeping a tank I didnt want to just jump right in with the big one...

-thanks for the advice, the tank is a 20 gal cube, I think I may use a 20 Gal long as a sump, that would give me room to add a couple mangroves

-eddy

[kelpforest]

for idea's on makeing your own sump take a look in the DYI area and in the archives, alot of people are makeing there own hood/canopy for the tanks so they can add a retro light kit to it and have the room they need, check the sponors here on TRT and or talk to the LFS that you trust.for cooling of the MH you can use a small fan ( looks like a computer fan, 4x4 inches).
if you run with the MH to ready to add watermore often.

if I go with MH, what SPS or LPS can I keep in such a small tank?

thanks again guys

[tims]

Eddy,

good idea with the sump. and the mangroves!



as far as the SPS ,LPS. should be able to have most IMO, i am kinda on the don't think burning is really burning side of thought, i belive that they are not use to theamount of light and would be able to get use it over a periode of time.. mean starting with 1-2 with MH , then increasing each week until you are at the timing you want.. you may have to prove some "shade" areas or over hangs for some.. but should not be a problem.

that big tank of your is going to be really cool..

[kelpforest]

that big tank of your is going to be really cool..

we've been planning it for a year, it going to go in the living room and right behind the wall where it will be against is a ver large DBL door walk in closet, there used to be a huge furnace in there but we have AC on the top of the house now....it'll be a perfect wet room