NO FILTER???really???

[grimreefer86]

I heard of a local guy who operates his tank with only a protien skimmer, no canister filter or anything, i dont even think he has a sump/refugium. Apparently he has had a healthy tank for a very long time and only has had livestock die when he used a canister filter:S?
What is everyone's thoughts on this? .. and im interested in hearing from people on here that dont use one !

 

[nycbob]

yes, u dont need a filter if u hv enough liverocks. i dont run a filter either, since the liverock and skimmer do all the bio filtration.

 

[aquaknight]

If you keep the bioload light, you can do some really interesting things.

All I have on my 25 is a powerhead, and a HOB Magnum I occansionally run some carbon in. Otherwise it's just water changes that keep it healthy.

 

[florida joe]

I assume you are talking about mechanical filtration, not needed as stated but you do need excellent water movement.

 

[lion_crazz]

When there is adequate live rock present, and a strong water flow, a mechanical filter is not always needed on a lightly stocked tank.
That is not how I run my tanks, but yes, it can be done.

 

[alix2.0]

i may be wrong, but i think reefkprZ once mentioned that he does not run a mechanical filter on his tank. id like to try it, just use a skimmer & LR. maybe on a larger tank.

 

[coraljunkie]

Have always just run a skimmer with live rock for my filtration.

 

[grimreefer86]

Very interesting indeed !
And yes I am talking about mechanical filtration, I just took a break from reading that post on turf scrubber or w/e

and noticed that some of the "experts" aren't using mechanical filtration!
Upgrading my power heads is next on the to do list, after that- I will unplug the ehiem ... jeeze the things you learn that you wish you learned sooner !!

My dad and I spent 3 hours priming my ehiem after i moved into my new house, and he managed to flood my BRAND NEW HARDWOOD FLOORS ! with about 8 gallons ! aha frig .. i would have done away with that filter long before that if i knew better !

 

[ninjamini]

Live rocks and sand are a filter. So are water changes per say. You wont be keeping any hard corals in this type of tank but you can keep some. You also want to keep the bio load low. I have done it often.

 

[m0nk]

A sump itself doesn't act as a mechanical filter, it simply adds water volume (which helps keep parameters stable) and gives you a place to put things such as heaters, skimmers, etc. This would technically constitute the same function as running a tank without a mechanical filter overall. Running a fuge in your sump is more advanced and is recommended for reef tanks, but if you have light bioload, it's not absolutely necessary. Live rock is the best filter you can have in a saltwater tank.
At any rate, your best bet for keeping parameters in check is through water changes, no matter what you have for filtration.

 

[deejeff442]

i ran a 90 gallon for 10 yrs with just a rubbermaid tote as a sump.
90 lbs lr and cc.
water change once a month.
the fish were great but the corals didnt fair very well.
now i run just about everything there is on my 150 but i plan on putting alot of livestock and corals in it.
like the other post said as long as the bio load is small and the tank is mature it will work.

 

[coral keeper]

I have a 28 gallon HQI Nano-Cube soon to be SPS/LPS dominated.(It's already mostly SPS/LPS dominated, but I only have a few leathers/softies which I will soon replace with more SPS/LPS) The only filtration I have is Chaeto, 32 LB of Live rock, and 30 of LB sand. I'm going to make a turf scrubber later on. Here is a link to my diary if you want to check it out.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/322862/coral-keepers-28-gallon-nano-cube-hqi-diary

 

[matt b]

I always think the opposite. I see someone using bioballs or chempure or even carbon and think how are they keeping a healthy reef? I have NEVER used anything but rock and a skimmer. And I keep all SPS. Well a few softies here and there but 95% SPS.

 

[matt b]

Originally Posted by ninjamini
http:///forum/post/2870937
Live rocks and sand are a filter. So are water changes per say. You wont be keeping any hard corals in this type of tank but you can keep some. You also want to keep the bio load low. I have done it often.
So where are you getting your info on reef keeping?

 

[mr_x]

i have an sps dominated tank with a reasonable bio load. i use a skimmer, and a refugium, along with live rock. that's it. my stonies are doing quite well.