Help with equipment

[nxs]

Hi there,
New to the hobby and setting up my first tank (20gal) to cycle it. It's a second hand tank so don't have instructions for any of the equipment so just wanted to ask some questions.

I have three of these boxes, from what I've been reading it's for filter media, and I think it's a trickle system but I'm not sure what to put in each and what order to put them

Second is a power head but it seems to be in an enclosure and I can't seem to figure out how it works. What's the little black lid for? And does anything go in the tank at the top?

Any help would be great

http://imgur.com/hqKogHK
http://imgur.com/iq0Hugf

 

[DrRob]

They may well be trickle filter compartments, do you have a sump arrangement under the tank?
The second picture is a protein skimmer, in general terms only for marine tanks.

 

[nxs]

Thanks - I don't have a sump arrangement under the tank but i do have an overflow system at the back. I can get pictures if needed?

 

[nxs]

My setup looks almost identical to this, with 3 compartments at the back.

So effectively if i remove the skimmer i would be left with this (excuse the crap mspaint diagram)

Would this setup work - Would the heater be best placed else where? and i'm not sure on the best filter media to get.

thanks

 

[DrRob]

Your second hand is probably an ex marine system. Perfectly usable for other set ups, but the protein skimmer isn't going to help you.

 

[nxs]

Thanks for your help DrRob. I have replied with pictures and a diagram with a couple questions but that post is currently awaiting moderation