Hey guys! So I just recently upgraded from a 20 gallon to a 55 gallon, and I was just curious to see if I really need any kind of mechanical filtration.. Right now I have two over the back filters. I have seen videos of tanks that just have powerheads that seem to be doing well. Do I really need my filters??
Filtration
- Thread starter Bradley
- Start date
- Tagged users None
I don't think so. The rock you have will be your primary biological filter. The mechanical filtration will remove particulate matter and such, but this needs to be cleaned on a regular basis or it could become more of a downfall than anything else IME. You might be better off keeping the filters empty & just using them for flow, but when you do your water changes and stir things up then incorporate the sponges, a filter sock etc to polish the water for a few hours. FWIW my reef tank has been set up for about 7 years now and I've never found the need to use a mechanical filter on a regular basis. Just as an example, I would much rather have any leftover food keep making revolutions throughout the system until something can utilize it as opposed to sitting in a filter sock or sponge for days on end rotting. GL.
Last edited:
One more question though. How do I stop fish fry and copepods and stuff from being sucked into the filters? I don't have any of those things right now, but I do have two mated clowns and I hope they start laying eggs eventually.
Dtackett
Valuable Member
you can use sponges over the intake as an easy to clean mechanical filtration. the fish can eat the food off the sponges. but its not really needed. I wouldn't even run the hobs. bad for salt creep. only thing I would run is a ato, hob skimmer, rock, and powerheads.
Cleo642
2500 Club Member
Auto top off system, automatically replaces water that has evaporated.
Dtackett
Valuable Member
you can build your own for around 30 bucks, but I find this is something best bought. I use the hydor smart level ATO. paid 60 bucks for it. hasn't failed yet, I use an aqua lifter for my ato pump.
You can't really, but as long as there's no media in the filters what goes in should come right back out. These things were probably going to be eaten by something else anyways so don't even sweat it.
