Any benefit to filters?

[GiannisK]

Hello, I'm a new saltwater tank owner. I'm considering a "FOWLR" tank design. My question is, is there any harm to also having a hang-on-back filter in addition to the live rock? Could it hurt in any way? Thanks!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Hello, I'm a new saltwater tank owner. I'm considering a "FOWLR" tank design. My question is, is there any harm to also having a hang-on-back filter in addition to the live rock? Could it hurt in any way? Thanks!

The live rock is for biological filtration. Filters are mechanical filtration -- you need both.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

The live rock is for biological filtration. Filters are mechanical filtration -- you need both.

*I know that hob filters often have biowheels. If this is what you were asking about, then no, there's no problem with that extra biofilter.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

My current system has no filtration except the rocks, refugium and a protein skimmer. No socks. The refugium is a 40 breeder with sand, live rock and macro algae. Basically a second tank with lots of clean up crew. Water is crystal clear.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

My current system has no filtration except the rocks, refugium and a protein skimmer. No socks. The refugium is a 40 breeder with sand, live rock and macro algae. Basically a second tank with lots of clean up crew. Water is crystal clear.

This is good.
But the OP only mentioned live rock and we don't know if they have any other type of flow, filtration, etc. Obviously they don't have a sump... probably don't have a skimmer or fuge.

 

[GiannisK]

Yes, unfortunately I don't have the space for those. I'd love to get an inexpensive skimmer if I can find one but right now I don't wanna spend 80+ dollars on just a protein skimmer when it seems its not necessary. It's just a 20 gallon tank. Thank you for your responses!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I run a 20 gallon fish-only tank, flow and rocks (and a heater) are all I use for filtration. Weekly water changes will keep the water clean and replace the need for a skimmer.

I use a hob on my 15 gallon, but that is a softie tank full of leathers so the purpose of the hob is to run carbon to pull the toxins out of the water.

But to answer your question, there is no "harm" at all to use a hob, but I would suggest to remove the biowheel or any other biodedia, the biofilter is in the rocks.

 

[Gill the 3rd]

How big a tank are you looking to get and how stocked will it be? I ran a 180 gal reef tank with a fairly heavy stock with no mechanical filtration. I did use a skimmer and a refugium though.

 

[Bpones]

Yes, unfortunately I don't have the space for those. I'd love to get an inexpensive skimmer if I can find one but right now I don't wanna spend 80+ dollars on just a protein skimmer when it seems it’s not necessary. It's just a 20 gallon tank. Thank you for your responses!

The Berlin method of aquarium keeping relies pretty much solely on live rock and water changes for maintaining water quality/aquarium health. So as others have said, an HOB filter isn’t strictly necessary. I would help with catching debris in the water column and I feel more importantly help with water movement and surface agitation. It will Not be of any harm to the system. It only serves to benefit you.

But, if you were asking my advice on getting a HOB vs a skimmer, which I realize you’re not, I’d suggest the skimmer you could hang on the side/back of the tank. Pulling nutrients out of the water before they breakdown will help with needing to do such frequent water changes. It’s a good piece of equipment you’ll likely purchase eventually if you stay in the hobby anyhow. I feel it would be worth saving up a little and starting out with one instead of an HOB that you’ll likely ditch down the road.

Best of luck though. I’m sure you’ll find success either way.

 

[GiannisK]

I run a 20 gallon fish-only tank, flow and rocks (and a heater) are all I use for filtration. Weekly water changes will keep the water clean and replace the need for a skimmer.

I use a hob on my 15 gallon, but that is a softie tank full of leathers so the purpose of the hob is to run carbon to pull the toxins out of the water.

But to answer your question, there is no "harm" at all to use a hob, but I would suggest to remove the biowheel or any other biodedia, the biofilter is in the rocks.

I see-- I do have some bio stuff in there I had used for a freshwater tank previously. This filter has been dry for over a year, however. Not sure if that would kill off everything. I was wondering if it could actually make the cycle faster.

What's the benefit in removing them? Thanks!

 

[GiannisK]

How big a tank are you looking to get and how stocked will it be? I ran a 180 gal reef tank with a fairly heavy stock with no mechanical filtration. I did use a skimmer and a refugium though.

I don't have a refugium or skimmer - it's just a 20 gallon with around 4 2-inch fish.

 

[GiannisK]

The Berlin method of aquarium keeping relies pretty much solely on live rock and water changes for maintaining water quality/aquarium health. So as others have said, an HOB filter isn’t strictly necessary. I would help with catching debris in the water column and I feel more importantly help with water movement and surface agitation. It will Not be of any harm to the system. It only serves to benefit you.

But, if you were asking my advice on getting a HOB vs a skimmer, which I realize you’re not, I’d suggest the skimmer you could hang on the side/back of the tank. Pulling nutrients out of the water before they breakdown will help with needing to do such frequent water changes. It’s a good piece of equipment you’ll likely purchase eventually if you stay in the hobby anyhow. I feel it would be worth saving up a little and starting out with one instead of an HOB that you’ll likely ditch down the road.

Best of luck though. I’m sure you’ll find success either way.

Thank you. I haven't been able to find a highly recommended small skimmer for a nano tank. I'm looking for 70 dollars at most. If you know of any, I'd appreciate it!

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I see-- I do have some bio stuff in there I had used for a freshwater tank previously. This filter has been dry for over a year, however. Not sure if that would kill off everything. I was wondering if it could actually make the cycle faster.

What's the benefit in removing them? Thanks!

Anything left in the "bio stuff" is dead and will, at best, be an ammonia source to help you cycle the tank. Probably better to just replace it though.