Filter or not

[Dana]

Well recently I've been reading about using filtration. It seems lately more and more people are not filtering. I use a canister filter, but recently I visited a new and very small but clean lfs, and the owner has a very successful reef octopus 32g only running skimmer and circulation.
He suggested I may want to do away with my nitrate can but how many of you are going this route?
Thanks

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Most reefers now believe the best filtration is live rock supplemented by a good protein skimmer. If you're trying to keep corals, this if definitely the best route. Canister filters and the like are more harmful than beneficial in saltwater systems.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Coraloliseffect]

Still using filter socks on my larger systems. Find mechanical export helpful. But must be cleaned weekly if not twice a week.

I kind of equate them as similar to canister. I.e. poor husbandry =issues. Albeit cleaning a canister in detail at least weekly is a PIA.

 

[Reefing Madness]

I don't use a filter. I run Live Rock, Skimmer and Macro Aglae.

 

[FLUSA]

I just (yesterday) pulled the pad out of my filter but kept the unit in for circulation. Worth the try I guess, I always like the more natural approch so fingers crossed.

 

[Dana]

Wow thanks for the responses guys!
I'm thinking about just putting some crushed live rock in there and just using it for circulation.
Any thoughts on this? Or just get rid of it altogether?

 

[Murfman]

Crushed coral or live rock becomes a nitrate trap, just like a pad. you could put some live rock rubble in there, or better yet. Siporax beads. Siporax has 100K more surface area for bacteria than live rock does.

 

[Dana]

Well I was thinking of crushing live rock into rubble and putting it in. Is the general idea to lose the filter pads? And media? The filter is an eheim 2213 with media and the cocoa puff looking things.

 

[Reefs-A-Lot]

i have a hang on back filter only used when i re arrange my rock work or stir up something and its only used to get the fine particles out of the water faster then its removed- how ever running an HOB witha mesh met comming off the return becomes a great algae scrubber(remover all media)

 

[Reefing Madness]

the filter would be better sreved as a fuge. Throw a compact flourescent on there and soem Cheato in there and off you go.

 

[mike007]

Why don't you use live rock and not crushed rock? Take the canister filter out and only use the rock and a good skimmer. I carbon dose also and i have zero nitrates. And remember do not overfeed thats where people start having problems with the excess nutrients.

 

[Dana]

Well I don't know really. This whole non filter thing is new to me. I have the canister filter, I figure I might as well find a positive use for it. Otherwise I suppose I could just sell it.

 

[Reefing Madness]

Only thing they are good for in a SW tank is throw GFO or Purigen or Chemipure Elite in it to rid your tank of Phosphates.

 

[Dana]

Excuse my ignorance, but what's gfo?
Also I do have a problem with red slime, will running these other medias help with this? Thanks

 

[Reefing Madness]

Sorry, GFO= Granular Ferric Oxide. And yes, these medias will help with that.

 

[Dana]

Ok thanks. So should I fill the canister with one of these? And just remove everything else in the filter?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Depending on the size of the tank, but if its got a couple media trays, yea, i'd remove the other media and put in what was necesary for your size tank.

 

[Dana]

Sounds good. I'll grab one of the 3 suggested and try this method.

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Dana]