General help?

[Squid0riv]

I’ve just recently gotten into saltwater aquariums and a short while ago got setup with a 20 gallon tank that is currently cycling but I’m having many conflicting questions, mostly centered around if I need a power head. The owner hadn’t recommending that I wouldn’t need one and had actually given me a tidal 75 for free for answering a trivia question and so I’m wondering if the flow is enough for my tank in general or if I need any other equipment, I have all the other essentials like heaters and lights but before I add any fish for my birthday I want to try to have it ready so any advice would be so helpful

(Ps) I plan on keeping a watchman and pistol shrimp duo and 2 clownfish and hopefully leathers and zoas in the future if that relates to the question

 

[fishface NJ]

Yes, a powerhead is advised.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Agree I would add 2 myself (my 15 gallon has 2 small powerheads)

 

[Gman83]

I would get at least one. You can get a size appropriate one on Amazon that's economical

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Agree I would add 2 myself (my 15 gallon has 2 small powerheads)

Plus 1 on adding 2!

 

[Fish Fan]

I don't know, a 20 gallon tank with a Tidal 75 might be plenty of flow for some leathers and Zoas, and certainly good for a Clownfish and goby/shrimp pair. I might just start with the Tidal and see how it goes, adding an extra circ pump or two if/when needed. Just my $0.02.

Good luck!

 

[Privateye]

The filter will turn your system volume over approximately 17.5 times per hour, which is a lot. I don't imagine you'll need a powerhead, but if you do it will just be to provide flow to corals, or eliminate a "dead spot" where detritus collects in the tank.

I'd wait personally. You may have everything you need. Powerheads can always be added later. The way the rock is arranged can adjust the flow pattern in the tank too, so see how the tank runs for a bit before deciding IMO.

 

[Squid0riv]

I would get at least one. You can get a size appropriate one on Amazon that's economical

Should I try to get a pretty low gph like a 480 gph? Also should I try to get one of the ones that has a random flow or a really simple and cheap 8-10 dollar one

 

[Gman83]

I would go with one with some control, and the ability to do random flow, like a jebao slw series. Then, later on, if you want to add a lps, you can crank up the flow without purchasing another

 

[BryanM]

I’ve just recently gotten into saltwater aquariums and a short while ago got setup with a 20 gallon tank that is currently cycling but I’m having many conflicting questions, mostly centered around if I need a power head. The owner hadn’t recommending that I wouldn’t need one and had actually given me a tidal 75 for free for answering a trivia question and so I’m wondering if the flow is enough for my tank in general or if I need any other equipment, I have all the other essentials like heaters and lights but before I add any fish for my birthday I want to try to have it ready so any advice would be so helpful

(Ps) I plan on keeping a watchman and pistol shrimp duo and 2 clownfish and hopefully leathers and zoas in the future if that relates to the question

So technically the answer is no. But this isn't the best way to go.

If you do not add a wavemaker you're going to have to run your return flow much higher, and that will in turn create a noisy tank.

So adding a wavemaker in the tank lets you avoid this, and get good surface ripple and gas exchange.

 

[Privateye]

So technically the answer is no. But this isn't the best way to go.

If you do not add a wavemaker you're going to have to run your return flow much higher, and that will in turn create a noisy tank.

So adding a wavemaker in the tank lets you avoid this, and get good surface ripple and gas exchange.

Totally for a sump, but I think he's looking at a HOB filter. Plenty of surface agitation included!

 

[Squid0riv]

The filter will turn your system volume over approximately 17.5 times per hour, which is a lot. I don't imagine you'll need a powerhead, but if you do it will just be to provide flow to corals, or eliminate a "dead spot" where detritus collects in the tank.

I'd wait personally. You may have everything you need. Powerheads can always be added later. The way the rock is arranged can adjust the flow pattern in the tank too, so see how the tank runs for a bit before deciding IMO.

This is the rock arrangement if it helps at all

 

[Privateye]

This is the rock arrangement if it helps at all

I think that looks pretty good. There are lots of open areas for water flow. If you had a pile of rocks in a corner I'd definitely advocate for a powerhead, but personally I'd still wait and see if one is needed.

It looks like the flow should come across the top, from right to left, and mostly flow back along the bottom of the tank. The rockwork doesn't look particularly restrictive for that flow pattern. You might get a little buildup towards the left of the cave, but you might not.