Why no filters?

[iechy]

Why do many suggest not having additional filtration if you have enough LR and a skimmer? I understand that it is no longer needed but what could it hurt? Is it just a matter of buildup in the filter causing high nitrates? Wouldn't the bio-media stuff do the same job, although probably not as well, as the DSB? I currently am running a Fluval 304 and am using bio-media and carbon in it but am wondering if I should remove it for now and just use it for water circulation.

 

[shadow678]

Most say it is just not necessary. I keep mine on for water polishing and circulation purposes. There is nothing wrong with keeping it on, as long as you do regular maintenance on it.

 

[bang guy]

Mechanical filtration besides foam fractionators remove valuable zooplankton from the water column. I go to great lengths to produce zoos and I'm certainly not going to filter them out of the water before the coral can eat them. I have quite a few visible particles but under close examination most of the "floaties" are alive.

 

[reefin_with_jesus]

Bang Guy,
I've heard that foam fractionators do the same. Are you claiming that they do not? I'm no expert on the subject, but I've heard of people not using a ff for the same reason (keeping alive all the zooplankton and phytoplankton in their tank). It makes sense to me that the ff could extract such life from your system. What ya think?

 

[shadow678]

Very good point, but it would also depend on the intent of the tank. If there were no planktivores in the tank that couldn't be supplemented with frozen foods or other target foods, then there would be no need for concern about removing it from the water column. But, as you said, many corals benefit immensely by the presence of a good plankton population, and for those you would want to do anything possible to preserve it.

 

[iechy]

Bang Guy and all thanks for the info. That is the kind of reason I was looking for. i hadn't really seen any good reasons before other than that you just don't need one.
So then I guess I'd be better off just using it as an oversized powerhead and keep it for carbon if needed correct? I rarely see any pods in my tank do you think that this could be causing that as well? Maybe they're getting sucked into my filter and dying in the foam filter.

 

[shadow678]

How long has your tank been set up? It takes a while to develop a good pod culture. It's not very likely that pods would be sucked into your powerhead. They usually stay in and on the rock and sand. If you have anything in your tank that eats them, it may be controlling the pod population.

 

[saltyrich]

Iechy, I think that you missed a valuable point. Bang Guy is right, but you can have the best of both worlds. It was noted that a power filter increases circulation. It also increases the gas exchange in your tank dramatically. You do not have to run a filter in it that may remove phyto/zoos. I run mine and periodically place some activated carbon in it to clarify the water etc. Then, I simply remove it, allowing the water to continue to flow through. My circulation and gas exchange are increased and all is well.

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by reefin_with_jesus
I've heard that foam fractionators do the same. Are you claiming that they do not?
I'm not claiming Skimmers don't remove Zooplankton. I personally don't believe they do. I've never seen a copepod or Amphopod or anything else stuck in the foam. I believe they have some mechanism that prevents them from getting trapped in the bubbles.
Most people (99%+) I talk to tell me that skimmers remove plankton. Nobody (0.0%) can show me proof that a significant amount of plankton is removed by skimming.
I agree with you that it seems like common sense that the bugs would get trapped in the foam. I've looked... they're not there in my system. Maybe my skimmer isn't powerful enough (DIY).
Guy

 

[charvel]

I have a fluval 304 and no skimmer my water is crystal clear and my trites, trates and ammonia are perfect. It is very dirty when I clean it,so its doing it's job.but then again I don't have many fish in my tank and it's only been running for 5 month's. I will probably get a skimmer eventually and maybe remove my media not the carbon though.

 

[iechy]

Salty I did not miss that point. i meant that I would continue to run it without the filter media when I said I'd use it as a large powerhead. Besides it cost me enough to use it for something so I might as well let it circuate water if nothing else.
Thanks for the comments...I learn more everyday.
BTW Shadow the tank hasn't been set up for very long - two months- and I don't expect to see many pods I was just wondering if that was a concern.