New 30 Gallon Setup

Pacman

Hello-
I have new setup that I have been running for about 3 months.

30 gallon tank
I have aqua clear 30 gallons over hang filter
And one medium size heater?

I know I need to get and power head; however, just wanted to know how many I should get. Most people have been telling me around 2-3 however, I?m thinking that one should get good enough. This is what I have so for, If I?m missing something please let me know.

Chitown1

The amount of powerheads will depend on what you plan to keep, I also rec. you get a skimmer, a Remora C would be great for that size tank and is not overly priced. A couple other needed items (which you may already have) are a hydrometer and test kits.

Pacman

I have a test kit and a hydrometer already. I'm planning on keeping corals in the tank. In addition were is a good place to get and protein skimmer, and what is the plain purpose. So any advice on how many power head i need know.

Thanks for the input.

Pacman

I found these skimmers online and wanted to know which one I should get for my 30g.


http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...xt=skimmer&N=2


http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...xt=skimmer&N=2


http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...xt=skimmer&N=2


Thanks for the input...

Chitown1

To put it simply a skimmer works by having undisolved organic wast cling to the bubbles it produces, it them flows into the collection cup for removal. As for the skimmers you lister, I would not use any of them, none will produce the amount of skimate as a decent skimmer will and you need a good quality unit especially for corals / reef tanks. I recommend the Remora C a my first suggestion, a CPR Bakpak is slightly less money but will be far more efficent than a seaclone will. You can look at www.marinedepot.com or www.drsfostersmith.com/ They both have good pricing and great service. As for powerheads, it depends on the types of corals you want to keep, some like less and others like more flow, so you need to decide the types and species you want and use their needs to determine how many and what volume powerheads you need.

Pacman

I have couple air stones lying around, and wanted to know would they do anything for my tank or are they just for decoration. In addition, it looks like it does the same thing the protein skimmer would do. In addition I looked over the websites, and was not able to find and small skimmer. I only have a 30g tank. With not that much room, I was looking at the nano one they had; however, people were giving it bad reviews. Is there something small and simple that I could use.

Thanks for your input.

Chitown1

The CPR Bakpak is avail on ebay for as low as $60 and is a good unit for a 30 gal tank, I would not get anything less for a 30. I always get a higher rated unit for all my tanks as they never really have a true rating on the lower end skimmers, But the CPR is IMO the best avail. for under $100, otherwise the best one for you tank would prob. be a Remora C, they go for about $160 and until you get into the $250+ those are the best rated HOB skimmer avail.

Pacman

what about the air stones what do they do?

Chitown1

You could use the for deco purposes, many years ago skimmers did use airstones but that did not last long as there we very unefficent, hard to set correctly and due to the fact the stones become plugged easily they are also unreliable.