thinking about going filterless

[tripleup05]

Well, mechanical anyway. I'm sick of cleaning my HOT Magnum every week. Its a pain, and I was wondering if my liverock and live sand would be enough filtration. I have about 36lbs of liverock, and 40lbs of live sand in my 46gallon tank. The only thing is, I dont have a skimmer. I think if anything yall will say not to do it without having a skimmer, but I'm kinda curious. Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I haven't used mechanical filtration since the early eighties. A skimmer is a totally seperate issue.

 

[NMreefer]

I agree. The only thing I use a HOT filter for is to run carbon for 2-3 days a month. I actually hang it in my sump. Probably better ways to do it, but it works for me. Buy a good hang on skimmer (assuming you don't have a sump) and you're set!

Phillip

 

[tripleup05]

I like the replies lol...I was under the impression that unless I had a good skimmer, I would still need to have a regular hang on back, canister, etc filter. Would I still be ok to go without the HOT mag? I will admit I find a good amount of "crap" in the filter when I clean it

 

[KLGreene]

I would have to agree with the others...I use a Magnum 350 canister for running carbon about two days per month, and to occassionally vacuum without doing a water change. But I do like my skimmer alot!!. I feed heavily, and usually dump about 1 1/2 - 2 cups per week of skimmate from my skimmer. You'll get as many different opinions as there are coral on this subject. But I believe that it's all in what works for your tank. JMTCW

 

[Tackett]

You should be ok without either of them. As long as you have good reefkeeping skills and keep up with your husbandry. IMO a skimmer is only a safety net and is not necessary for a thriving aquarium. I would keep the Little magnum for running carbon 2 or 3 days out of the month. Keep all your maintenence on schedule and you should be good to go. I would save up money for a good skimmer though, even though I said they are not necessary, they sure do give you a lot of leeway.

 

[Nanogasm]

I'm new to the reef scene and I'm a little confused when you refer to having active carbon for 2-3 days a month. Currently I have carbon in a mesh bag that sits in the back housing of my tank. I have a skimmer and excess LR for my tank dimensions. Am I over-carbonning? Should I remove the bag and plop it in only on occasion?

 

[zombiereef]

you are not "over-caarboning" there is no such thing. everybody runs their tank differently. you can run carbon once a month or all year long. it is good to change it fairly frequently though. a well known reefer i trust recommends changing it every week or two, minimum.

 

[Anonymous]

Fwiw, I would agree with changing it every week, too.

 

[Nanogasm]

you are not "over-caarboning" there is no such thing. everybody runs their tank differently. you can run carbon once a month or all year long. it is good to change it fairly frequently though. a well known reefer i trust recommends changing it every week or two, minimum.

thanks for the reply. Seems I need to do some more reading on the role of carbon. I've been replacing my bag every month on the advice of the LFS people. Then again, I've only had my tank 2 and half months. Well, now I have a reason to go to fishstore this weekend!

 

[Anonymous]

I've been replacing my bag every month on the advice of the LFS people. Then again, I've only had my tank 2 and half months. Well, now I have a reason to go to fishstore this weekend!

What your LFS people probably don't know is that in saltwater, GAC (Granular Activated Carbon), is only useful for about 48 hours after it in placed in saltwater. After that it's simply surface area for bacteria and a phosphate leech point.

That's why many reefkeepers (including myself) use it for a couple of days and then remove it.

 

[WayneL140]

The one thing you will see is an increase in debris floating around in the current. I've been fighting this. If you're like me, you want crystal clear water. Having no mechanical filtering, this may not be possible.

I'm one of those who doesn't use carbon all the time. Five days a month, and out. I wash it, let it dry out, then put it back in at the beginning of the following month. Who knows if this works, but it feels right to me.

Wayne

 

[Anonymous]

I have a 46 as well and a 55 before this. I only use a skimmer. I have never owned a filter. I use about the same sand but a bit more rock than what you described. There is some more particles in the water, but everything does well in the tanks. I have never had issue with not having a filter. Just my opinion, but the less tech the better.

 

[tripleup05]

yea the debris thing kinda gets on my nerves, but i think it would be worth it. i'm gonna get about 10# more of LR before i take out the filter. probably wont make much of a difference, but it will make me feel better

 

[EVO]

I run a micron sock filter where the overflow goes into the sump. Awhile ago I purchased 5 sock filters, they get dirty every 2 or 3 days, I change it with a clean one and toss the dirty ones in a bucket with some water. Once a week I wash them inside out in the washer, they spin dry. I think this is the most effective way to filter out particles, as you are actually removing them from the system and not leaving them there to mix back into the water. So now the filtration system is LR->micron sock->ETSS deluxe reef devil->spoonge block to remove bubbles->return I also installed a chiller and it keeps the temp at around 77, I noticed this keeps the waste products down also. And last but not least... hermits, snails, brittle stars, sand sifters... these keep the sub clean

 

[tripleup05]

a chiller to keep it at 77...dang what is your house temperature?

 

[EVO]

HAHA! I'm in one of these old houses without AC. In the summer it can get to 85 or 90+. Actually, the amount of pumps and power heads and the hilides tend to heat up the water so even when the house temp is low the water will go over 80 without the chiller.

 

[Tackett]

Didnt we have a huge thread at one point about the use of activated carbon?

IME activated carbon looses its effects after one week in a reef tank. Running it longer just winds up leeching crap into your tank.

Ill search the forums for you and find the thread.

 

[coralfarmin]

hi

I used to have a tank that had a 40 gallon rubbermaid attached

I had 6" of sand in the rubbermaid and about 20 mangroves planted in it

I run 2 4ft fl fixtures lit 24 7 over it

man what a tank that was

I had to chop the mangroves down to remove it

they filled the container with roots, had prop roots branches and all

 

[Anonymous]

I haven't used any filtration in three weeks. The skimmers been off for 3 months.


No water changes in 4 months.


I'm not sure why my tank still looks so good. I've been promising myself I'll do a water change this weekend...for the last three weekends. :lol: Gotta clean the skimmer before turning it back on. Motor seazed up and I didn't have vinegar. As for the filter fiber, I just ran out a few weeks back and kept forgetting to buy it.


So far so good. :roll: