Anyone else use no mechanical filtration?

[Slocke]

No socks, no sponges, no fancy filter rollers, anyone else use absolutely no mechanical filtration in their tank?

I had two problems using socks and sponges. Laziness of cleaning them and them killing fish if they got pulled down the overflow. Yes my phosphate is high but my phosphates were even higher before. Nitrates are so low I have to add more. My water is clear (unless I use GFO which turns my water orange). Now I'm not claiming this is the new secret to reefing. As you'll see I'm not even remotely close to any of the awesome tanks I see on here but it does seem to work. Tons of macro algae and carbon dosing with an oversized skimmer just work better for me. Anyone else?

Nitrates 0-10
Phosphates 0.2-0.4

 

[Troylee]

I have a skimmer and live rock for filtration and nothing else! I’ve always rolled this way and always will! It’s simple and it works. I also carbon dose as you do. People get carried away with these filter rollers, uv etc.. here’s my numbers with no fuge, no chateo, no roller, no nothing but a skimmer and carbon dosing of bacto balance.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

awesome stuff

 

[Slocke]

I have a skimmer and live rock for filtration and nothing else! I’ve always rolled this way and always will! It’s simple and it works. I also carbon dose as you do. People get carried away with these filter rollers, uv etc.. here’s my numbers with no fuge, no chateo, no roller, no nothing but a skimmer and carbon dosing of bacto balance.

And you do have a very impressive tank. That certainly helps me feel vindicated!

 

[JayM]

I get your point, but a skimmer is mechanical filtration.

I currently run a skimmer and socks, but I think I'm about to pull the socks and see what happens. Not a fan of constantly changing and cleaning them. And to be honest, the only reason I even use them is they came with the tank and I was under the impression at the time that they were a necessary evil.

 

[Miami Reef]

In my experience, filter socks are ineffective for nutrient prevention. I use it for 3 reasons:

1) Removes particles in a reef tank
2) Prevents a mud from forming in the sump
3) quiets the overflow into the sump compartment

 

[Slocke]

I get your point, but a skimmer is mechanical filtration.

I currently run a skimmer and socks, but I think I'm about to pull the socks and see what happens. Not a fan of constantly changing and cleaning them. And to be honest, the only reason I even use them is they came with the tank and I was under the impression at the time that they were a necessary evil.

Darn I guess you are right. Should have called it no particulate filtration.

My tank is a lot of shoddy diy so never had your sock issue lol

 

[Garf]

No socks, no sponges, no fancy filter rollers, anyone else use absolutely no mechanical filtration in their tank?

I had two problems using socks and sponges. Laziness of cleaning them and them killing fish if they got pulled down the overflow. Yes my phosphate is high but my phosphates were even higher before. Nitrates are so low I have to add more. My water is clear (unless I use GFO which turns my water orange). Now I'm not claiming this is the new secret to reefing. As you'll see I'm not even remotely close to any of the awesome tanks I see on here but it does seem to work. Tons of macro algae and carbon dosing with an oversized skimmer just work better for me. Anyone else?

Nitrates 0-10
Phosphates 0.2-0.4

I got a mesh bag full of sand that the water flows over and change 1.5% water a day, that's it for me.

 

[Slocke]

In my experience, filter socks are ineffective for nutrient prevention. I use it for 3 reasons:

1) Removes particles in a reef tank
2) Prevents a mud from forming in the sump
3) quiets the overflow into the sump compartment

Thats the weird thing. This tank doesn't have a buildup of particulate. The sand in both the DT and sump is nice and white. Don't know why as logically it should be though. Maybe because I have a good cuc and highish flow on each side.

Also my tank has been quieter since removing them. The sponge that was in the overflow box caused the water to backup and fall a greater distance which was loud. Then on the other side I couldn't find a way of adding socks without decreasing the pipe length and having the water fall into the sump from above. Without the socks I can use longer pipes that go deep into the sump and are thus silent.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It can be done. In the 80's and 90's, we relied on undergravel units only, then came the age of bio-wheel and bio-sponge filters. Power filters are often regarded as mechanical units, it is doable but requires close monitoring of water quality.

 

[Garf]

This tank doesn't have a buildup of particulate

Same here. The only build up I get is a small pile of "sand", presumably old coralline algae. The sump is also clear. The return pump has become a housing facility for sponge growth.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I ran 5+ years with zero mechanical, including skimming, ATS, water changes etc.

I have a skimmer now, no other mechanical and no water changes still. Tank is 20+ years old.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I have considered adding a filter roller, but the logistics suck and I am not sure what I gain or lose.

 

[Troylee]

I have considered adding a filter roller, but the logistics suck and I am not sure what I gain or lose.

Hypothetically thinking I would imagine you lose a ton of bacteria and nutrients since the roller strips the water of heavy particulate and doesn’t give the tank any time to process it.. I feel it’s one of the main factors in the dino explosion of the last few years. That’s my thoughts anyways..

 

[Cthulukelele]

Same here. The only build up I get is a small pile of "sand", presumably old coralline algae. The sump is also clear. The return pump has become a housing facility for sponge growth.

This is the most annoying thing for me. Whenever I cycle the return pump, it sheers some of the sponge, and then it sprays sponge pieces into the DT when I turn the pump back on haha

 

[ChrisPPolys]

No socks, no sponges, no fancy filter rollers, anyone else use absolutely no mechanical filtration in their tank?

I had two problems using socks and sponges. Laziness of cleaning them and them killing fish if they got pulled down the overflow. Yes my phosphate is high but my phosphates were even higher before. Nitrates are so low I have to add more. My water is clear (unless I use GFO which turns my water orange). Now I'm not claiming this is the new secret to reefing. As you'll see I'm not even remotely close to any of the awesome tanks I see on here but it does seem to work. Tons of macro algae and carbon dosing with an oversized skimmer just work better for me. Anyone else?

Nitrates 0-10
Phosphates 0.2-0.4

yes. Strictly live rock and water changes, nothing else.

 

[Thales]

I have not used mechanical filtration on reef tanks (I think a skimmer is a weird thing, not really mechanical, but kinda), unless for spot cleaning, in like 20 years - including all the focus tanks and holding tanks I worked on at the Steinhart Aquarium.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have considered adding a filter roller, but the logistics suck and I am not sure what I gain or lose.

For me, a hang on skimmer such as IceCap K1 would be my preference

 

[exnisstech]

I just pulled the roller off of one tank so it will just be a skimmer. I think the roller is pulling too much out and corals are suffering. Time will tell.

 

[Starbuxxx]

Hypothetically thinking I would imagine you lose a ton of bacteria and nutrients since the roller strips the water of heavy particulate and doesn’t give the tank any time to process it.. I feel it’s one of the main factors in the dino explosion of the last few years. That’s my thoughts anyways..

Yea, I feel the same about rollers and sock. It removes some of the good things want to remain. Not worth it. I'll just deal with my moody skimmer.