Do reef tanks really need a filter...?

[S2G]

No if you have enough flow but now your into huge fw level water changes like 75% level. That's a huge swing all at once imo and I would do multiples throughout the wk. Siphon your sand, blow off your rock, and water change.

Even on reg IO salt that's going to get pretty expensive pretty quick on a tank that size

Ive done with and without. Hob, canister, manual changes, you name it. A sump with the least amount of baffles is my favorite for fw and sw. Dont think filtration. Think nutrient export. Find the easiest way to maintain the levels you want. A skimmer and fuge are my most valuable tools. I have a 180 sitting by a fw 29 with a hob and a 5" puffer. Take a guess which one is harder to maintain? Lol

 

[MnFish1]

No if you have enough flow but now your into huge fw level water changes like 75% level. That's a huge swing all at once imo and I would do multiples throughout the wk. Siphon your sand, blow off your rock, and water change.

Even on reg IO salt that's going to get pretty expensive pretty quick on a tank that size

Im curious - a filter only gathers 'stuff' in a place - unless you remove/clean. that filter daily - or at least quite often - what are you gaining? Now - a skimmer that actively removes 'chemicals' - or an algae scrubber are different - but a mere 'filter' does not mean you can change less water (BTW - I do not think you would need to change 75% of water either way) but maybe you have some more information?

 

[Malifry97]

I think I’m going to get lots of live rock...some macros...and a HOB skimmer...I think this will deal with nutrient export...how does this sound!

 

[Malifry97]

Im curious - a filter only gathers 'stuff' in a place - unless you remove/clean. that filter daily - or at least quite often - what are you gaining? Now - a skimmer that actively removes 'chemicals' - or an algae scrubber are different - but a mere 'filter' does not mean you can change less water (BTW - I do not think you would need to change 75% of water either way) but maybe you have some more information?

I just have to say something....every time I see you profile picture...I think it’s STEAK....LOL...I know it’s off topic but I just had to say it

 

[MnFish1]

I just have to say something....every time I see you profile picture...I think it’s STEAK....LOL...I know it’s off topic but I just had to say it

Its manganese crystal:)

 

[Malifry97]

Its manganese crystal:)

Hahaha

 

[Fourstars]

Here’s a pretty simple tank. Only using algae to filter but do now run a HOB skimmer also.

 

[S2G]

Im curious - a filter only gathers 'stuff' in a place - unless you remove/clean. that filter daily - or at least quite often - what are you gaining? Now - a skimmer that actively removes 'chemicals' - or an algae scrubber are different - but a mere 'filter' does not mean you can change less water (BTW - I do not think you would need to change 75% of water either way) but maybe you have some more information?

I don't have scientific info and I'm not conducting an experiment. I do have 15-20yrs of personal experience on improvement based on trial and error though lol

I said don't think filter think nutrient export. I had 9 fish split between 2 40b's with eh 10x flow. Those tanks were so yellow and nasty in a wk it was ridiculous. It took so much time and salt to keep those tanks in adequate condition. I also had a 12" sfe in a 20L and it's tank was even worse. I was able to add aquaclear hobs to those which was better than before, but still a lot of work. I burned through a lot of salt trying to maintain acceptable water quality.

I guess it depends of bioload and feeding. However, @ 50% WC's these tanks were still pretty high nitrate wise so 75% isnt far off what I was doing. Unless you're a 20-50ppm is ok person.

I'd quit salt if I had to maintain tanks long term like that if I'm honest.

 

[S2G]

That's not an absolute. Everybody can do whatever they want but that's just my experience. 1 4" emp angel once eating pellets and nori 50% wc's were enough. The water still looked like a jar of pee by wks end

 

[Yanos]

All you need my friend is good refuge and return pump in your sump.
Works for me.

 

[Pntbll687]

I think I’m going to get lots of live rock...some macros...and a HOB skimmer...I think this will deal with nutrient export...how does this sound!

You don't have to have any "filter" to be successful.

I ran my 20 long nano with just two powerheads, heater, and sumpless ato. I had a schedule where I knew I could do a 5g water change every weekend so everything stayed stable. The tank was barebottom, and you would be amazed how much crap two fish and couple crabs can create. The vare bottom made it much easier to siphon out detritus during water changes.

I grew mainly lps, with some plating montis as well. Light was a generic T5 from amazon with ATI bulbs.

You don't need to go crazy with equipment. I think sometimes we get caught up with the newest and "best" way to keep a reef. Heat, light, flow, and rock and I think you'll be fine.

 

[Malifry97]

Thanks for the insight!

 

[MnFish1]

I don't have scientific info and I'm not conducting an experiment. I do have 15-20yrs of personal experience on improvement based on trial and error though lol

I said don't think filter think nutrient export. I had 9 fish split between 2 40b's with eh 10x flow. Those tanks were so yellow and nasty in a wk it was ridiculous. It took so much time and salt to keep those tanks in adequate condition. I also had a 12" sfe in a 20L and it's tank was even worse. I was able to add aquaclear hobs to those which was better than before, but still a lot of work. I burned through a lot of salt trying to maintain acceptable water quality.

I guess it depends of bioload and feeding. However, @ 50% WC's these tanks were still pretty high nitrate wise so 75% isnt far off what I was doing. Unless you're a 20-50ppm is ok person.

I'd quit salt if I had to maintain tanks long term like that if I'm honest.

I think we're kind of saying the same thing - If you just have fish in a tank without live rock - You will have to do a lot of water changes. I think the question is/was 'do you need a (presumably) mechanical filter. Thats what I'm talking about - Unless you clean that filter 'all the time' does it really help with nutrient export as compared to not using any 'mechanical filter'.

 

[Malifry97]

I think we're kind of saying the same thing - If you just have fish in a tank without live rock - You will have to do a lot of water changes. I think the question is/was 'do you need a (presumably) mechanical filter. Thats what I'm talking about - Unless you clean that filter 'all the time' does it really help with nutrient export as compared to not using any 'mechanical filter'.

Yes that’s correct on the question ;)

 

[S2G]

I think we're kind of saying the same thing - If you just have fish in a tank without live rock - You will have to do a lot of water changes. I think the question is/was 'do you need a (presumably) mechanical filter. Thats what I'm talking about - Unless you clean that filter 'all the time' does it really help with nutrient export as compared to not using any 'mechanical filter'.

Hey I dont like that tone. Be nice :)

This was with live rock and sand. Mechanical filter wise it will hurt more than help if you don't clean it like everyday. However cleaning it all the time helped save on water change costs and gave the ability to run carbon. I had a decent bioload with no sand shifters so I was behind the 8 ball from the get go.

I don't run socks on the 180 unless I blow the rocks off. Switching from frozen to pellets and nori helped tremendously as well. I spot feed my cleaner shrimp and eel with a skewer.

 

[MnFish1]

Hey I dont like that tone. Be nice :)

This was with live rock and sand. Mechanical filter wise it will hurt more than help if you don't clean it like everyday. However cleaning it all the time helped save on water change costs and gave the ability to run carbon. I had a decent bioload with no sand shifters so I was behind the 8 ball from the get go.

I don't run socks on the 180 unless I blow the rocks off. Switching from frozen to pellets and nori helped tremendously as well. I spot feed my cleaner shrimp and eel with a skewer.

It was nice:).... you are misreading my tone. was meant to be totally nice. I think you know that. and see - we do agree - I am just too lazy to change a filter every day - especially a canister type filter - Now - I tried at one point to clean my filter socks every day - but gave up on that.

Now - to the OP - one thing that can help with some of the issues brought up by @S2G is carbon - which again is not a 'filter' per se - but it can help.

 

[Malifry97]

It was nice:).... you are misreading my tone. was meant to be totally nice. I think you know that. and see - we do agree - I am just too lazy to change a filter every day - especially a canister type filter - Now - I tried at one point to clean my filter socks every day - but gave up on that.

Now - to the OP - one thing that can help with some of the issues brought up by @S2G is carbon - which again is not a 'filter' per se - but it can help.

Ok Thanks

 

[H3rm1tCr@b]

I have a filter, I just use it for flow. It is essentially a criptic refugium of sorts at the moment. I think you absolutely could get away with no filter. Just make sure to feed properly and have a lot of live rock and flow. Macroalgae also helps a bunch

 

[Malifry97]

I have a filter, I just use it for flow. It is essentially a criptic refugium of sorts at the moment. I think you absolutely could get away with no filter. Just make sure to feed properly and have a lot of live rock and flow. Macroalgae also helps a bunch

Thanks

 

[Isabel’s Hobby]

Never even thought about running any fish tank without a filter. I have a 225G saltwater now but first fresh then the past 4 years saltwater for over 27 years. Never ever did I not have at least 1 kind of filter. Did not think that’s possible.
i did. have a 72G bowfront as my first SW tank and ran that one with2 fluval canister filter and a hang on protein pump it and works but nothing ever looked as good as I have it now with my sump before I would put the money in a canister filter I would run a sump ... that’s just me ;)