tight budget for a 20g tank

[kim7]

So im pretty new at salterwater keeping. I actually havent started setting up it yet. So far I have is a 20gallon tall tank, aquaclear 70, jager heater and t8 lighting. Im currently ordering the saltwater media like salt, pumps, etc. Ive been researching that protein skimmers arent that important for nano tanks but I often hear that poly filter pads and other filter media stuff are essential. Im kinda on a tight budget and dont wanna spend money on things that are NOT required to keep a FOWLR tank. What do you guys think?

 

[mcarroll]

Hm. A low stock level is the single most significant "thing you can do" to make a tank the most stable it can be while at the same time making the costs reasonable. It will minimize the need for disposable filters.

I might consider using a skimmer for a 20 gallon.....most nano's get away without a skimmer cuz they do large water changes....that's borderline impractical on a 20 gallon, depending on your scenario. I mean I'll do a 10 or 20 gallon water change, but that's on a 100 gallon system. :) A skimmer will help. Check the Tunze 9004. Or the Tunze Reefpack 250.

General budget tip:
Save money by buying good gear in used condition (when possible) rather than by buying cheap gear.

 

[kim7]

Hm. A low stock level is the single most significant "thing you can do" to make a tank the most stable it can be while at the same time making the costs reasonable. It will minimize the need for disposable filters.

I might consider using a skimmer for a 20 gallon.....most nano's get away without a skimmer cuz they do large water changes....that's borderline impractical on a 20 gallon, depending on your scenario. I mean I'll do a 10 or 20 gallon water change, but that's on a 100 gallon system. :) A skimmer will help. Check the Tunze 9004. Or the Tunze Reefpack 250.

General budget tip:
Save money by buying good gear in used condition (when possible) rather than by buying cheap gear.

Alright youve convinced me to get a skimmer.. But are there any decent ones that cost under $100?

 

[jdack]

Keep your eyes on apps like offerup, Craigslist, etc, for used skimmers. In the last month I bought one for both my 20gal new build, and a replacement skimmer for my 55 gal, both cost me 20$. But skimmers are like the #1 thing to have, from a newbs perspective :) on a tight budget? It will let you skimp i n places where you couldn't before. Water changes to get your nitrates down can add up, good salt isn't cheap.

 

[jdack]

I've just started a low budget 20 gal tank for my roommates. Interested to see where this takes us both.

 

[tj w]

With keeping only a fowlr and no coral u can do it quite cheap. U don't need power heads or expensive lighting. I would definitely have a skimmer though. Look around here on similar build threads to give ur self an idea. Always remember to research and ask questions.

 

[kim7]

ok so I found that my friend has a used Octopus classic 100-HOB protein skimmer and willing to sell it to me for $50. What do you guys think? SO if I do get the skimmer, would I still need poly filter pads?

 

[jdack]

I would get it. I would keep the hob filter as well. Other than that, I'd say you have a good start, and time to do more research while you kick out your first cycle

 

[Darryl]

Welcome !
I would invest in the tunze 9004 or the 9001 both will do a great job on a 20 and can be used in a larger tank as you grow .
Have used them both in my tanks for many years and they do a great job with little footprint.
went the hang on route and just dumped them for the Tunze.
Also check out In Tank web for upgrade to the filter you are using they have inserts that will make your Aquaclear 70 realy great.

 

[mcarroll]

Just to echo some ideas already in the comments:

I'd look at the Tunze 9004, myself. If the new price is too much, just troll the usual used-equipment spots (also mentioned above in the comments) for a little while. Put a "watch" on the R2R "For Sale" Forum so you get notifications on it when something new is posted.

Maybe post your intentions in the "Wanted To Buy" forum as well.

The AquaC Remora is the hang-on skimmer I like the best, but you may need the (shorter) Remora Nano model to fit the 20L depending where you have the tank installed. (The default Remora might hang lower than the tank's bottom.) I like the Remora because A) they work really well, B) they are more flexible than most skimmer designs on what range of tank sizes it will support (up to about 100-120 gallons with the Remora, with non-permanent upgrades), C) it can use any standard pump that fits and pumps water in close to the right range (i.e. any "300 gph" pump), and D) it's super-easy to clean and maintain. To boot, you can find bare skimmers (no pump) for well under $100 and skimmers with pumps go for right around $100, depending on accessories, etc.

Also, just to say it, you can also start the tank with no skimmer, but start saving money for the skimmer now so the cost isn't really (as big of) an issue. Just as an example: Save $5 a week and in about 8 months you'd have enough to pay for a brand new 9004. The tank really wouldn't be any worse for the wear in just 8 months - if you stock the tank nice an slowly, you may even just be getting your final critters at that time. No sweat - and you won't even notice the $5 being gone every week after the first week or so.

 

[mcarroll]

And I should add, that was not to bag on the skimmer your friend has for sale....if it seems like a good deal (i.e. you don't mind the potential bother of having selling it off if you don't like it and you have the extra $50) and you want to support her, go for it! It should work well, but it lacks some of the advantages of the other skimmers: needs a specific pump to work, it's bulkier, etc.

I can't comment on the ease of use and what maintenance is like - after making bubbles, these are usually the most important features of a skimmer, so you may want to look for some comments or get some feedback in that area specifically before making up your mind. ;)

 

[kim7]

Thanks for the feedback guys

 

[Bob Escher]

Just curious Darryl wrote about IN tank web is that a website
Thanks

 

[Darryl]

Just curious Darryl wrote about IN tank web is that a website
Thanks

inTank, LLC
shop.mediabaskets.com/

 

[PaReeferJ]

I have a Aqua c remora just laying around. I can sell if you are interested

 

[Darryl]

i have a tunze 9004 hanging out as well if you are interested

 

[kim7]

Hey guys, I have some questions about my aquaclear 70 HOB filter. Are there any specific media that is pretty essential to keep a 20g nano FOWLR tank? So far, Im just using the stock media with an addition of the Chemi-pure blue.