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Unread 11/09/2017, 11:32 AM   #1
navvet8992
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Can I run reef tank with no mechanical filter

Been running a 150 gallon tank with a canister filter for year and a half. The filter just died so looking at options. Drilling is not an option. What do y’all recommend? Do I have to have filtration or would love rock be enough? Thanks


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Unread 11/09/2017, 11:44 AM   #2
RobZilla04
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You're asking about zero filtration at all? Sure. Just up the frequency of water changes and monitor the levels.


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Unread 11/09/2017, 11:52 AM   #3
ssky
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Live rock and a little less bio load and that's all.


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Unread 11/09/2017, 11:55 AM   #4
MurphyLong
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While a skimmer isn't required, it wouldn't hurt to hang one off the back.


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Unread 11/09/2017, 12:53 PM   #5
Uncle99
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You need water movement for the exchange of gases.
So skimmer, powerhead, wavemaker......or lots of frequent water changes.
A cheap hang on filter like an aqua clear or 2 would suffice.....


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Unread 11/09/2017, 01:10 PM   #6
mcgyvr
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You can absolutely run a saltwater setup with no mechanical filtration at all.. In fact the "pros" would recommend against mechanical filtration..
And yes live rock and more importantly the bacteria that colonizes on and in it is more than sufficient..

But as stated you NEED circulation in the form of powerheads (typically shoot for around 20-30x display tank volume for the gallon per hour).. So 10 gallon tank needs a powerhead or multiples totaling about 200-300GPH..


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Unread 11/09/2017, 01:43 PM   #7
navvet8992
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I have a tunze 6105 that moves a ton of water and looking to add another one as well so water flow will be very good. I think ill give it some time with no mechanical filters and see how things go. If needed I'll get a hob overflow and a sump. Thanks all!


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Unread 11/09/2017, 02:45 PM   #8
mcgyvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by navvet8992 View Post
If needed I'll get a hob overflow and a sump. Thanks all!
A sump just gives you a place to stash your equipment,etc...
It by itself is not beneficial in anyway..


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Unread 11/09/2017, 03:06 PM   #9
ktownhero
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgyvr View Post
A sump just gives you a place to stash your equipment,etc...
It by itself is not beneficial in anyway..
That's not really true. A sump increases water volume and provides an opportunity for tons more surface area for bacteria and other beneficial life to thrive. If all someone does with a sump is put some live rock in it, it's still most certainly worth using.


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Unread 11/09/2017, 03:19 PM   #10
mcgyvr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ktownhero View Post
That's not really true. A sump increases water volume and provides an opportunity for tons more surface area for bacteria and other beneficial life to thrive. If all someone does with a sump is put some live rock in it, it's still most certainly worth using.
kind of..
The additional surface area of the sump itself is really minimal so thats really not much of a benefit... There is some sure.. but not when you look at the surface area of a sand bed or porous rock..

But you are right the added water volume helps to keep parameters more "stable" as it takes more of a change to well.. change the parameters..
That is one benefit to having "more water volume"

And yes you can put stuff in it but still just a sump with no details on what you are doing with it was what my comment was about..
It was generalized too much I guess..


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Unread 11/09/2017, 03:32 PM   #11
Jeramirez85
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Agreed with enough live rock and maybe a hang on back skimmer should be sufficient


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Unread 11/10/2017, 06:28 AM   #12
cedwards04
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I think what mcgyvr is saying is that a sump by itlsef does very little to help. What helps is the stuff you can put in the sump, such as extra sand/rock/macro algea.

For what it's worth, I've been running a 20 gal fowlr with no mechanical filtration for nearly 5 months now. I do weekly 10% water changes. So far so good.


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Unread 11/10/2017, 09:05 AM   #13
Timfish
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Yup. This system just has circulating pumps:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eCQSVdqBQA

Over the years though I've shifted my attitude towards sumps. Looking at the research cryptic areas in reefs being equal to what we see and what's going on in them, I now consider a cryptic sump an asset to a reef system.


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