complete switchover needed?

complete switchover needed? Not a coral tank.

55 gallon tank that has been running for a year and a half now. sponge filter with airline to stone for bubbles. seperate airpump with airline in back of tank creating tiny bubbles. 500 gph power head. twin filter hang-on filter on back of tank(2 carbon sacks and 2 mesh pads).

I would like to cut down on the algae problem and have a better tank for the tang, tomato clown and chromisis(4).

should i:

1. remove the nitrate factory sponge completely?
2. take the powerhead out of the tank completely and just go with a scimmer setup? if so which one(i'm on a budget here).
3. forget about the hangon twin carbon/pad filter in back.

If I had an option to go with less contraptions in the tank...what should I do?

 

You can keep the sponge filter if you want all you have to do is take it out and clean it so as not to get a build up of nitrates every couple of days. 2. you can keep the powerhead and add a protein skimmer -coralife super skimmer would be good here and 3rd. add some live rock this way you can remove the HOB filter.Your live rock will become your chemical filter.

 

I agree you didnt mention any live rock. If you dont have any you should just add at least 40 lbs of live rock and ditch the HOB filter or just take out the sponges and run only carbon in them.

 

i forgot to mention that i have about 25 lbs of live rock and about 2 3/4" of crushed rock/sand on the bottom. that stinking powerhead throws bubbles all the time too. pretty annoying and the fish don't like it either.

it seems like within a week i get a good film of green growing on the inside glass too.