Do I need filtration?

[h1p1n3]

Hello!
I currently have a 75 reef tank, with about 150 lbs of live rock(fills the tank), a freedom protein skimmer, (I believe they are out of business) and crushed coral substrate. The tank has been established for about 7 years. The protein skimmer has about 700gph flow and has a sponge filter before it aerates.
I did have two hang on filters that recently bit the dust, penguin 350....
So, now that I do not have any sort of filtration, I need to explore my options.
Do I get a canister filter,
Build a sump
or as I have been reading online, just run what I have right now.
Timing is horrible, being right after christmas, so my budget is $100
I'm very handy also and could probably build a custom sump if possible.
If I go the sump route, what size tank should I use?

 

[garick]

I vote for a sump. They can do so much more than just filter.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by h1p1n3
http:///forum/post/3200011
Hello!
I currently have a 75 reef tank, with about 150 lbs of live rock(fills the tank), a freedom protein skimmer, (I believe they are out of business) and crushed coral substrate. The tank has been established for about 7 years. The protein skimmer has about 700gph flow and has a sponge filter before it aerates.
I did have two hang on filters that recently bit the dust, penguin 350....
So, now that I do not have any sort of filtration, I need to explore my options.
Do I get a canister filter,
Build a sump
or as I have been reading online, just run what I have right now.
Timing is horrible, being right after christmas, so my budget is $100
I'm very handy also and could probably build a custom sump if possible.
If I go the sump route, what size tank should I use?

With that much rock and a skimmer..then you have the tank established 7 years, you may not need a filter.
After 7 years, you know when things look off. If everything is doing fine then no need to worry. Maybe test regular every other day to see what is going on and be sure. I would be ready to buy a filter if need be.
Me, I am not handy, so I would go with a canister filter. No drilling, no plumbing.

 

[h1p1n3]

Well I was going to do the Remote Deep bed to lower nitrates like in the DIY comment, then someone said in the thread along the lines of adding a light and making it a reefugium. Well I also have a spare 55gal, and also a big void underneath the tank downstairs because I just sold my pool table. So, I figured I would make a huge sump, and I also get to do my maint. next to a hose adapter for top offs and Ill run a suction pump directly to the sewage line for changes. Ill probably do 1 ft of substrate, move some live rock around, and make a chamber for bioballs/charcoal.
That now raises a few more questions..... anyone know what kind of pump I would need to lift water a whole floor? Im thinking a small pool pump and use the chamber to store my charcoal bags with a ball valve to control flow rate.

 

[beaslbob]

A refugium made from a 30g $10 plastic container connected to a smaller container to serve as a sump. get macro algaes growing in the refugium and you probably will not need the skimmer.
my .02

 

[bluetang66]

With that much lr you will probably be in good shape, I use a canister just for carbon and zeo stones.

 

[ophiura]

I am assuming you have circulation in the tank with powerheads?
You do have biological filtration (which is your live rock). What you are lacking is mechanical filtration (which you may or may not need) or possibly chemical filtration (the option to run carbon or similar).
All tanks need "filtration" but they may not require all 3 types so long as the biological capacity is there.

So overall you are probably in "sustainable" shape

The decision to add a sump/refugium, IMO, is slightly different from the filter concept. There is only very limited similarity of something like a cannister and a refugium.
So really this is a question of your goals and what the tank needs. When you had the hang on filters...which are primarily mechanical filters...were the filter pads filled with gunk? Do you heavily feed the tank, or see detritus accumulating? This requires a combination of mechanical filtration and increased flow.
If you did not have particularly dirty filter pads, and don't see detritus, then your tank ecosystem may be balanced enough with your feeding.
If you do run carbon, this is another consideration - but a cannister, hang on, and sump all give you similar options there.
What is your nitrate level at? I personally would go with the sump/refugium option as I think it does several things, not the least of which is increase to total water volume in the system. However, you would need a large external pump to do this (as you noted) and that can be cost prohibitive. Definitely need to review some of the head pressure charts for some of the pumps.