Converting Filtration - Guidance Needed

[BloodValkyrie]

Hello Everyone,

I have come to R2R for a lot of answers, but this time I have a question of my own. I have a 20 gallon JBJ Cubey that currently houses two Ocellaris Clowns, a Lawnmower Blenny, one snail, and about 7 small Rainbow BTAs(he just keeps splitting).

Some timeline reference for this tanks history: My Mocha is roughly 6-7yo and inherited from my cousin after she and her husband moved across the country in 2020. In 2022 I got another clown for the tank and they paired immediately. Everything was fine until 6 months ago when the younger one started beating on the older one. I ended up having to divide the tank to separate the two and since then the older one’s heath has bounced back like nothing happened. In this whole time, I have been having issues with the pump on the tank and after putting in the temporary divider, the filtration system has become even more of a problem than it already was.

This tank has a back wall partition filter system(see photos). I know the health of my tank has diminished due to the lack of water circulation, but I was hesitant to invest in/build a solid divider before I dealt with the filter situation. As seen, the filer section is a 3 part filter. Left to Right: sponge filter, charcoal and bio filter(ceramic cylinders), then the heater and pump. The pump keeps getting gummed up because there is natural sea sponge growing in my tank. I detach the whole lid, remove the pump, scrub it out and replace it. It will work for about a week before getting gummed up again bringing the flow to almost 0.

I need to know opinions on removing the partition completely and implementing a canister filter. Unfortunately the cabinet that the tank is on does not offer enough space to build a sump below it and space behind to have all of the larger pipes associated. I have done the partition removal/canister install conversion on an 8gal freshwater tank that sits on the other side of the room and it has done a lot of good for that tank, but when it comes to the salt water tank, I am on the fence post about doing this. I know it will give more swimming space and then implementing a different divider to promote circulation(circulation was not an issue before the divider and filter issues).

I currently do not have enough money to upgrade my whole system(new tank, lighting, sump, cabinet) and we are in the midst of looking to move to a new house. I just want to do the best I can with what I have/can afford.

 

[magallonbuckinbulls]

Howdy,

Yikes! lol jk

Git rid of one the clown fish, and throw away that divider. Lol
Also you need more flow. A small ph will help. Just be wary of your rbta

If you master water parameters, everything else false into place.

 

[Pod_01]

I have 10gal tank, on it I use this skimmer:

In the first chamber,
GAC in a bag in second chamber (2 teaspoon of GAC change one teaspoon every 2 weeks).

That is all for filtration, I prefer skimmer vs. canister filter in salt water tank. You can do frequent water changes instead of skimmer as well (10% a week).

As mentioned I would remove the divider and add some powerhead, I use this on my 10gal:

To constantly move water around… Marine critters prefer flow…

Also I would reduce the sand, in small tank I prefer just bit at the bottom or none. Provides bit more space.

Couple of corals from my 10gal:

Good luck,

 

[BloodValkyrie]

I have 10gal tank, on it I use this skimmer:

In the first chamber,
GAC in a bag in second chamber (2 teaspoon of GAC change one teaspoon every 2 weeks).

That is all for filtration, I prefer skimmer vs. canister filter in salt water tank. You can do frequent water changes instead of skimmer as well (10% a week).

As mentioned I would remove the divider and add some powerhead, I use this on my 10gal:

To constantly move water around… Marine critters prefer flow…

Also I would reduce the sand, in small tank I prefer just bit at the bottom or none. Provides bit more space.

Couple of corals from my 10gal:

Good luck,

I appreciate your input. For now, I cannot remove the divider as I am about 90% sure the second clown has transitioned to a female. The older one that was original to the tank is starting to become very skeletal(looks like she has lost about 20% of her body weight) so I have a feeling she is not going to be around much longer. If I remove the divider, the younger one will surely kill the older one. The younger one was severely bullying the older one, we separated the two and the older got better. Attempted to remove the divider, and it immediately started the beatings again. I don’t want to get rid of one as the other comment has stated to do. I did have a circulation fan in the tank to help with circulation after adding the divider.