Good equipment?

[ZachariahBeanzz]

Hi, I’ve looking into starting another tank, and was wondering a few things. For background, I’ve had a FOWLR tank for a bit over 2 years now, but I was never real tech savvy. I just have simple fluval filtering, heating, and lights. As of a year ago though, I started another tank, but recently I decided to take it down due to some unfortunate mishaps. But now, I’m looking into another tank, and the IM 20g long has caught my eye. After looking into it, and looking at reviews, it seems like a solid tank, but I have a few questions regarding it. It seems that replacing the filter socks with media baskets would be more convenient for me, but I was wondering your thought? Also, does the lid that goes with the tank help prevent smaller fish (fire fish) from jumping out? Or is the netting still too large? If so, are there any alternatives for a screen lid? I looked online, but from the couple things I saw, they were either too expensive, or had bad reviews. Thanks for any help!

 

[Fish Fan]

The Innovative Marine tanks are a solid choice, I have several of their smaller AIO’s.

I prefer media baskets to socks, there’s a media basket available for that tank from both InTank and AquaGadget. I have both, the InTank is more expensive, but they are functionally identical; I’d suggest the AquaGadget media basket.

The screen top from IM has about 1/2” square mesh, so it’s at least possible that a small fish could get through. Other option include Kraken Lids, as well as DIY’ing your own from window screen parts found at a typical hardware store.

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

The Innovative Marine tanks are a solid choice, I have several of their smaller AIO’s.

I prefer media baskets to socks, there’s a media basket available for that tank from both InTank and AquaGadget. I have both, the InTank is more expensive, but they are functionally identical; I’d suggest the AquaGadget media basket.

The screen top from IM has about 1/2” square mesh, so it’s at least possible that a small fish could get through. Other option include Kraken Lids, as well as DIY’ing your own from window screen parts found at a typical hardware store.

Thanks! What would you suggest putting in the filter media baskets? I see they come in three compartments. I would assume filter floss, and something like bio balls, but for the third little basket, should I use carbon or something else?

 

[Fish Fan]

From the top down I'd do filter floss, pull it and toss it every 3-7 days. I use Poly-Fil found at craft stores or in the crafts section of big box stores, it's the same as filter floss, but cheaper. In the middle you can put any chemical medias, Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) would be a good start. In the lowest section I would put some small plastic bioballs or similar bio media. This will add a little extra biofiltration, but the real purpose of the bioballs is that you have on hand precycled biomedia in the event you have to quick-start a hospital tank.

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

From the top down I'd do filter floss, pull it and toss it every 3-7 days. I use Poly-Fil found at craft stores or in the crafts section of big box stores, it's the same as filter floss, but cheaper. In the middle you can put any chemical medias, Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) would be a good start. In the lowest section I would put some small plastic bioballs or similar bio media. This will add a little extra biofiltration, but the real purpose of the bioballs is that you have on hand precycled biomedia in the event you have to quick-start a hospital tank.

Sorry, I had another question I just thought of. I had a wave maker in the tank I disassembled, but it was decently loud at times (it was a hygger mini). I was just wondering if you had a suggestion for a wave maker that was on the quieter side, or any tips on how to make the pump quiet?

 

[Fish Fan]

Sorry, I had another question I just thought of. I had a wave maker in the tank I disassembled, but it was decently loud at times (it was a hygger mini). I was just wondering if you had a suggestion for a wave maker that was on the quieter side, or any tips on how to make the pump quiet?

Sorry, I don't have any great recommendation for a wavemaker, they all can be prone to making noise, I believe. On the high end, the Ecotech Vortechs are nice, and there's a cheaper knock off now by Jebao. The Tunze NanoStream and AI Neros are popular choices as well.

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

Sorry, I don't have any great recommendation for a wavemaker, they all can be prone to making noise, I believe. On the high end, the Ecotech Vortechs are nice, and there's a cheaper knock off now by Jebao. The Tunze NanoStream and AI Neros are popular choices as well.

Thanks! It’s no big deal, I was just wondering

 

[Freenow54]

Hi, I’ve looking into starting another tank, and was wondering a few things. For background, I’ve had a FOWLR tank for a bit over 2 years now, but I was never real tech savvy. I just have simple fluval filtering, heating, and lights. As of a year ago though, I started another tank, but recently I decided to take it down due to some unfortunate mishaps. But now, I’m looking into another tank, and the IM 20g long has caught my eye. After looking into it, and looking at reviews, it seems like a solid tank, but I have a few questions regarding it. It seems that replacing the filter socks with media baskets would be more convenient for me, but I was wondering your thought? Also, does the lid that goes with the tank help prevent smaller fish (fire fish) from jumping out? Or is the netting still too large? If so, are there any alternatives for a screen lid? I looked online, but from the couple things I saw, they were either too expensive, or had bad reviews. Thanks for any help!

Made my own simple cheap screen framing and used stainless screen mesh off amazon

 

[Freenow54]

Hi, I’ve looking into starting another tank, and was wondering a few things. For background, I’ve had a FOWLR tank for a bit over 2 years now, but I was never real tech savvy. I just have simple fluval filtering, heating, and lights. As of a year ago though, I started another tank, but recently I decided to take it down due to some unfortunate mishaps. But now, I’m looking into another tank, and the IM 20g long has caught my eye. After looking into it, and looking at reviews, it seems like a solid tank, but I have a few questions regarding it. It seems that replacing the filter socks with media baskets would be more convenient for me, but I was wondering your thought? Also, does the lid that goes with the tank help prevent smaller fish (fire fish) from jumping out? Or is the netting still too large? If so, are there any alternatives for a screen lid? I looked online, but from the couple things I saw, they were either too expensive, or had bad reviews. Thanks for any help!

I really like my Fluval and it moves the water on the top. People with wave makers complain about shimmer in the tank from the light refracting through the water plus it creates fluctuation of your Par or light intensity

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

While looking at the tank, and how other people have set it up, I saw how they had two lights. I currently have the hypereef 100 from nicrew. It says it has a 24” spread, and the tank is just about that. I just wanted to make sure that this one light would be enough for the tank? I’m also only planning on keeping LPS and softies

 

[Freenow54]

While looking at the tank, and how other people have set it up, I saw how they had two lights. I currently have the hypereef 100 from nicrew. It says it has a 24” spread, and the tank is just about that. I just wanted to make sure that this one light would be enough for the tank? I’m also only planning on keeping LPS and softies

I would think so Install the one measure your Par assuming you have a meter . Personally I would not be without one you only need 100 to 150 . Keep the other light for a backup which I am glad I did