20 gal clownfish setup

[aquaplantfish]

I have a 20 gal long tank and I want to keep two clownfish, Do I really need a protein skimmer and R/O ?

I want the fish to be happy and colorful so I'm gonna add a anemone that is easy to take care, since I'm new to saltwater I don't know any that will be a good choice for the clownfish.

Eheim 2215 good enough?

[MarinaClown]

You don't need a skimmer. I would use a filter such as an Aqua Clear 50 or Aqua Clear 70 on your tank. It's good to use R/O to avoid nuisance algae growth. If you use tap water your tank will most likely look not so pretty. A weekly 3 gallon water change will take care of removing nitrates from your tank. Wait at least 4 (some people would say 6-12) months before adding an Anemone. Bubble tip anemone is one of the easiest anemones to care for.

[aquaplantfish]

Originally Posted by MarinaClown

You don't need a skimmer. I would use a filter such as an Aqua Clear 50 or Aqua Clear 70 on your tank. It's good to use R/O to avoid nuisance algae growth. If you use tap water your tank will most likely look not so pretty. A weekly 3 gallon water change will take care of removing nitrates from your tank. Wait at least 4 (some people would say 6-12) months before adding an Anemone. Bubble tip anemone is one of the easiest anemones to care for.

Ok kool, I will follow a weekly schedule for maintenance will that help me control the algae buildup? With out a R/O and with out R/O will the fish look colorless as some fish store has the clownfish looks really nice and some store the color on the clownfish are a little off.

Is algae bad for the tank?, what I'm worried is the PH I don't know if I do a weekly water change If the PH is gonna drop or go up, as I know the PH is important.

I don't know where the RO connects to, is it under the sink? Or somewhere on the tank?
If Ido get a RO unit Will that change the PH, is the aqua dolphin RO good enough? I think I will get one.

[bribo12]

If you want a nem you will need strong lighting as well. However clowns definitely don't need one. You will need live or base rock as well.

[melosu58]

IMO you don't need a skimmer. Frequent PWC`s will accomplish the same thing in a small tank like that. I would still do RO or RO/DI if possible. I work for a water municipality and I know the stuff that goes in there. Good for us humans but bad for our reefs and not as bad for our fish. I have an article about it in our SW articles section. Also an anemone needs to go in a mature tank of at least a year old IMO and IME.

[aquaplantfish]

Originally Posted by bribo12

If you want a nem you will need strong lighting as well. However clowns definitely don't need one. You will need live or base rock as well.

Ok so let's say I setup the tank and have the clownfish with out a nem will it be a problem? Because I want to shop for the right light later on I will get it.