Zachs 20 gal long build, addittions and filtration

[zacheyp]

Hello all,
But now i am back. And in the past weeks things have changed. First off i have new additions. Coraline alage and baby turbo snails! I will post pictures tomorrow but i can't today because i have to study, (i have 2 finals tomorrow.) I have also ordered new filtration. I bought 15 pounds of base rock, this will eventually help filtration. In addition, i am upgrading to an aquaclear 70 filter and making 1 chamber a fuge! What do you think? Now to the big elaphant in the room, stocking. I was very arrogant about stocking but i have changed. I have realized that the best nano tanks have low bioloads and nice corals. My stocking will be 2 designer clowns (what type do you like?) 1 royal gramma. 1 yellow watchman goby and 1 red striped goby. I am thankful for all the advice i recieve on this site and Happy Holidays!!

[Nu-Nu the eel]

Originally Posted by zacheyp

Hello all,
but now I am back. And the past weeks things have changed. First off i have new additions. Coraline alage and baby turbo snails! I will post pictures tomorrow but i can't today because i have to study, (i have 2 finals tomorrow.) I have also ordered new filtration. I bought 15 pounds of base rock, this will eventually help filtration. In addition, i am upgrading to an aquaclear 70 filter and making 1 chamber a fuge! What do you think? Now to the big elaphant in the room, stocking. I was very arrogant about stocking but i have changed. I have realized that the best nano tanks have low bioloads and nice corals. My stocking will be 2 designer clowns (what type do you like?) 1 royal gramma. 1 yellow watchman goby and 1 red striped goby. I am thankful for all the advice i recieve on this site and Happy Holidays!!

Is this the zach we know?????? Haha great change to the stock, good luck

[Gboy66]

Wow man, wayda go. Didnt expect this..glad to have the new zach back!

[zacheyp]

does that tank look overstocked or does it look good

[Nu-Nu the eel]

I think it looks pretty good!

[MikeYQM]

Good approach - lower bioload, nicer corals. With the right water quality & light, you might even be able to keep sps.

[TLTGF]

Nice to have ya back. We're still here to help.

[bighabeeb]

Zach - much improved bio load. Just make sure you add them slowly, one by one, with the least aggressive first, and the most aggressive last.

[zacheyp]

I think this will be the order
1 goby
WAit a week
The other goby
Wait 2 weeks
The gramma
Wait 2 weeks the clowns

[zacheyp]

What do you guys think about the aquaclear 70 filter.

[MikeYQM]

Two weeks isn't bad, but I would base your additions on nutrient levels in the tank. It can take bacteria levels time to stabilize after an addition. If after 2 weeks, nitrates are in a good place, add a fish. If not, wait until they are.

Base the timeframe on what is actually happening in your tank, not a predetermined timeframe.

Also, I doubt you are QTing, so keep a close watch on each addition. Look for signs of stress, disease & parasites. Most people who QT do so for 30 days or so, also keep that in mind before you add your next fish. Your tank is kind f becoming a de facto QT, and you wouldn't want to add a new fish to a potentially compromised environment.

[Leighton79]

I still think its to many fish for a 20G, I'd say 1 pair of clowns is it, top line.

[Nu-Nu the eel]

Originally Posted by zacheyp

What do you guys think about the aquaclear 70 filter.

Yes. Aquaclear is cheap and good. I own one for my 30

[carey]

I used a AC70 in my 20 long and to be honest it was too much flow. Plus the intake tube was really close tot he sand I had and caused some filter jams. You could hacksaw part of the intake tube to make it smaller though.

And yes, its good to have you back Zach.

I can see you've come around as far as stocking a bit, still gonna be a packed tank but if you really really take care of the water you might be ok.

[MikeYQM]

The key is monitoring water & inhabitant conditions. If your water quality is low, or your fish are diseased/stressed/aggressive, stop adding fish & strongly consider reducing stock.

I have a heavily stocked 30 gal BUT I added fish slowly & monitored things. I also run strong filtration with a large skimmer on the sump, 2 reactors (1 biopellet & 1GAC) and change 10% every Sunday. My nitrates are 5 or less consistently, and phosphates undetectable

[MikeYQM]

It's about finding a balance. There is no magic stock list. That's why you add slow & monitor; do you can see when you reach the balance. Then you stop or upgrade.

[zacheyp]

what filter would you reccomend instead?

[Nu-Nu the eel]

I like the aquaclear 70, but i guess you could do an aquaclear 50? They are cheap, like 20 bucks

[zacheyp]

if i got the 70 would i need powerheads

[Nu-Nu the eel]

Ya probabaly. Powerheads provide flow to the whole tank...