Skimmer without mechanical filter?

[hanmisi]

Hello, all! I'm new hear & have a question about skimmers (obviously). I've seen mentioned a couple of times that some are running their systems with only skimmers & LR, no mechanical filtration, & I just can't wrap my head around it. Do any larger "chunks" get pulled out in the skimmer? & is the water as clear as with a charcoal (etc.) filter? Thanks for the input... my Skilter (I know!) went out today & I'm trying to decide what to replace it with.

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[usctrack]

I have only run a filter a few times in the last couple years. I run skimmer and refugium in my tanks. I will occasionally throw a sock on there for a little polishing.

 

[subielover]

Skimmer and refugium here as well, no mechanical filtration at all!

 

[dakotasreef]

I run a filter sock and just a skimmer. I also have quite a bit of liverock, even my sump is filled.

I do run carbon one in a while to help remove any built up toxins.

Best advice, every tank is different so what might work for one person might not work for you. Trial and error might be the best way to find out. See how your tank reacts over time to certain filtration setups.

Good luck

 

[papagimp]

Mechanical filtration has it's uses but not always neccessary depending on the setup. Many of the CUC and other micro life will take care of much of the stuff that a mechanical filter would pull out anyways. A skimmer 'can' remove larger bits but it's not really designed to, just happens as it's bubbling and frothing. i keep an HOB cheapie around with a roll of filter material for those just in case times when I'm going to need it, such as doing a little reaquascaping and kicking up enough to cloud the water. Or oops, dumped too much food in, stuff like that. I often keep an airpowered sponge filter going in my sump, keeping the sponge rinsed very well a couple times a week. it's more for added flow in refugium portion of my sumps, but I'll also use it for QT purposes as needed or whatever else I might need a seeded filter.

 

[rkaires]

Live rock and skimmer here. My skimmer seems to work better when I don't run a filter sock.

 

[cdness]

Live rock, Refugium and Skimmer here too. I occasionally use a filter sock as well but haven't in a year at least.