Status of my 20 Gallon

SupaJSK · 08-21-2002, 01:41 PM

Hi everyone, I need some help once again. First let me tell you my tank setup and then I will lay out my problem(s).

20 gallon tank
3 - 4 inches DSB
about 20 pounds of live rock
220 Watts of PC lighting
HOB CPR refugium with 1 inch of Miracle Mud and caulpera algae and 13 watt light over this.
2 power heads for water circulation
I do regular water changes and add calcium, ph buffer every two weeks.
ammonia, nitrite is 0
nitrate is 0 - 2.
no skimmer for about 6 months now.

one clownfish, one firefish, a peppermint shrimp
one hammer coral, regular xenia, an open brain, and galaxea coral.

So over the last month and a half the open brain started dying and the rest of my coral don't seem to open up as well. I have been fighting a big outbreak of bubble algae as well. I'm not sure what is wrong with the tank since right before that, evertyhing was growing very nicely. Nothing has changed in the last six months since i switched to the refugium. Is there anything I need to check? What else can I do? Also, what would you recommend to fight the bubble algae? I have tried mithrax crabs, but they dont seem to put a dent in it. Thanks guys. My 100 gallon reef is doing great by the way. That thing stabilized and started growing in half the time my 20 did. The 20 is my challenge though.

**scubadude** · 08-21-2002, 02:48 PM

Well im sure you do realize that any 20g will be much more sensitive than a 100g setup. But there are a few things that Im curious about...how is the feeding schedule? I know clowns to be agressive which may mean that your OB isnt getting fed good enough (this has been my experience anyway) I would try and cut down on feedings but be very specific and target your feedings to make sure everyone gets enough food and no waste is left over...better to feed alot of times very little food then once a whole bunch of food. Does your water look clear or does it show a tint of yellow? Maybe some carbon? of filter floss for temporary cleaning....You might even consider getting a skimmer for backup...a tank that small is very hard to run skimmerless.

SupaJSK · 08-21-2002, 06:51 PM

Yea I realize that a 20 gallon is a lot less stable.
I feed my fish two or three times a week. Sometimes I add DT's maybe once a week or so.
I am currently using carbon once a month.
The water is not sparkling clean though. My water parameters are all good though at the moment. Is this the best that I can expect out of my current setup? Should I think about adding a sump, will that make a big difference? Thanks again guys...

sandoval · 10-17-2005, 11:46 PM

what kind of powerheads are you using on your tank?because i have a 20 gallon reef tank and i'm interested in buying some.

GaryZ · 10-17-2005, 11:57 PM

Man, your really digging. Maybe you should just start your own thread. You could title it: "What kind of powerheads should I get"....

P.S. I'd like to help you, but I don't know squat yet...

Samper · 10-18-2005, 03:58 PM

I have 4 MJ 1200's
a Mag 18 and a Rio powerhead on my 20 gallon.
Also a mag 5 on the skimmer.
Tons O Flow IMO

***Reefland*** · 10-18-2005, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samper

I have 4 MJ 1200's
a Mag 18 and a Rio powerhead on my 20 gallon.
Also a mag 5 on the skimmer.
Tons O Flow IMO

You go man!

Samper · 10-18-2005, 10:49 PM

Yeah, I'm proud of my little setup. Clownfish gets plenty of exercise surfing the waves. The hawk doesn't even seem to notice. The good thing is that nothing settles on the bottom since the upgrade

08-21-2002, 01:41 PM	#1
SupaJSK Citizen Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 168	Status of my 20 Gallon Hi everyone, I need some help once again. First let me tell you my tank setup and then I will lay out my problem(s). 20 gallon tank 3 - 4 inches DSB about 20 pounds of live rock 220 Watts of PC lighting HOB CPR refugium with 1 inch of Miracle Mud and caulpera algae and 13 watt light over this. 2 power heads for water circulation I do regular water changes and add calcium, ph buffer every two weeks. ammonia, nitrite is 0 nitrate is 0 - 2. no skimmer for about 6 months now. one clownfish, one firefish, a peppermint shrimp one hammer coral, regular xenia, an open brain, and galaxea coral. So over the last month and a half the open brain started dying and the rest of my coral don't seem to open up as well. I have been fighting a big outbreak of bubble algae as well. I'm not sure what is wrong with the tank since right before that, evertyhing was growing very nicely. Nothing has changed in the last six months since i switched to the refugium. Is there anything I need to check? What else can I do? Also, what would you recommend to fight the bubble algae? I have tried mithrax crabs, but they dont seem to put a dent in it. Thanks guys. My 100 gallon reef is doing great by the way. That thing stabilized and started growing in half the time my 20 did. The 20 is my challenge though.

08-21-2002, 02:48 PM	#2
scubadude Moderator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 5,315	Re: Status of my 20 Gallon Well im sure you do realize that any 20g will be much more sensitive than a 100g setup. But there are a few things that Im curious about...how is the feeding schedule? I know clowns to be agressive which may mean that your OB isnt getting fed good enough (this has been my experience anyway) I would try and cut down on feedings but be very specific and target your feedings to make sure everyone gets enough food and no waste is left over...better to feed alot of times very little food then once a whole bunch of food. Does your water look clear or does it show a tint of yellow? Maybe some carbon? of filter floss for temporary cleaning....You might even consider getting a skimmer for backup...a tank that small is very hard to run skimmerless.

10-18-2005, 03:58 PM	#6
Samper Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,768	I have 4 MJ 1200's a Mag 18 and a Rio powerhead on my 20 gallon. Also a mag 5 on the skimmer. Tons O Flow IMO __________________ Keep your heart pure conceive your own dreams Respect your fellow man the earth and the trees.

10-18-2005, 10:49 PM	#8
Samper Contributing Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,768	Yeah, I'm proud of my little setup. Clownfish gets plenty of exercise surfing the waves. The hawk doesn't even seem to notice. The good thing is that nothing settles on the bottom since the upgrade __________________ Keep your heart pure conceive your own dreams Respect your fellow man the earth and the trees.

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08-21-2002, 06:51 PM	#3
SupaJSK Citizen Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Torrance, CA Posts: 168	Yea I realize that a 20 gallon is a lot less stable. I feed my fish two or three times a week. Sometimes I add DT's maybe once a week or so. I am currently using carbon once a month. The water is not sparkling clean though. My water parameters are all good though at the moment. Is this the best that I can expect out of my current setup? Should I think about adding a sump, will that make a big difference? Thanks again guys...

10-17-2005, 11:46 PM	#4
sandoval Tenant Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SANTA FE SPRINGS ,CA Posts: 51	what kind of powerheads are you using on your tank?because i have a 20 gallon reef tank and i'm interested in buying some.

10-17-2005, 11:57 PM	#5
GaryZ Council Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 253	Man, your really digging. Maybe you should just start your own thread. You could title it: "What kind of powerheads should I get".... P.S. I'd like to help you, but I don't know squat yet...

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