Zoo Tank

[BigH55]

Do you guys think I could make a zoo only tank with a 20 Gal, canitar filter and a strip light? Id have a heater to of course. Let me know. Id love to grow some nice colonies. Im thinking of maybe plumbinig it into the main tank (110) also. I want to keep it very simple and skimmerless if possible. Do you think a HOB filter would work?

 

[yote]

That small a tank,I dont see any reason it couldnt be done.
If you just use the HOB filter,you'd just have to be religous about the water changes.

 

[BigH55]

Thats what I was thinking. I want to set a 100 budget and see if I can make it work. Plus I have some extra equipment lying around and would like to put it to use. Man, I gave away a 40 breeder, 20 long, my old CSS 125 and two 150watt MH lights to my buddy and now I really want them back. Im craving another tank bad.

 

[BigH55]

If I were to plumb it into my other tank how would I do it in a parallel set up?

 

[yote]

If you plumbed it into the sump,you'd just have to plumb like any other tank.The only difference is you'd have one sump and 2 tanks.You could either split the return line off the 110 or add in another pump for the 20.

 

[Bifferwine]

That could definitely work. If not plumbed into your main tank, if you only keep one (or no) fish in it, it should be fine without a skimmer.

 

[BigH55]

no fish unless Qting it. Ill let you know and do a build thread

 

[dustin_P74]

i had to plumb a 20 long into my tank for a skimmer and all i did was got some maxi jet 1200 and some 1/2" flexible tubing and ran on from the tank to the sump and the other one from the sump to the tank and its working flawlessly

 

[bobby]

Everything would work but the lighting. I don't think a regular strip light would work, and if it did it would be low light and I would think the zoas would grow very slowly.

I was actually thinking the same thing. I'm getting ready to do a build on that 20L and put my maroon and only softys in it. I picked up that 48" PC light from prater and cut it down to 30" and have two extra ballasts and bulbs.

Anyway if you don't plumb it you wont need a skimmer on a tank that small, but if you do then it'll be skimmed with the big tank and have better quality as it wont have to mature.

 

[BigH55]

im looking at the 6" tall 20 gallon tank.

 

[littleyea1]

they will grow fine mine do well if i buy them from dealers who do not use metal hilides

 

[acerhigh]

bobby is pretty much correct..... you would need a better light than a regular strip light..... even with a 6" tank..... look at one or two of the pico tank pc lights...... you would have much better luck.....

 

[bobby]

WOW 6"? I haven't seen them before. What are the rest of the dimensions? I bet that will be an awesome tank!