Live rock tank evolved…now has fish and shrimp. No sump or filtration other than rock. Is this sustainable?

[clowndaddy420]

Tank progression. 75 gal found behind Petco near me. Have been topping off heating and circulating water.. no sump . No skimmer. No mech. Filtration, anyone have any advice as this its more or less an experiment at this point.

 

[I never finish anythi]

Some can manage it . I wouldn't like to try tho.

 

[I never finish anythi]

Good luck tho! I will follow if you try.

 

[clowndaddy420]

I have an established reef tank incase the fish need to be moved so its no such a big deal for me to try. here are some pics of current tank and a bunch of others awaiting equipment or just in line to be set up.

 

[I never finish anythi]

Love the tank looks very nice . You seem to know what you are doing so give it a shot . I'll tag along for the ride . I ain't been in the hobby long so I will learn a few things hopefully

 

[Nano sapiens]

Certainly!

Decade and a half old 12g nano run just as you describe. My previous 55g was run the same way for a decade with just a sump (old wet/dry tank system) with just a pump and a heater.

A couple of the main important aspects to running such a system:

1. Be kind to your reef tank microbiome (avoid chemical treatments/other extremes)
2. Keep a reasonable balance between the fish and the invertebrates (to minimize excessive nutrient loading)
3. Consistent maintenance routine (balanced nutrients in/nutrients out)

 

[clowndaddy420]

thanks man good to see, beautiful tank by the way.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

It's absolutely possible!

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Personally I'd add a skimmer but that's just me...

 

[V A R I A N T]

Yes, done before by many. I built a 5.5G that ran with a heater, MP10 for circulation, a Duetto for top off, and AI Prime. It ran this way for 8 months until I had to relocate for work.

@Nano sapiens is a great example of stability, perseverance, and beauty. Another example is Danny who has a YouTube channel for his 40G shallow reef running the same way.

 

[clowndaddy420]

Yes, done before by many. I built a 5.5G that ran with a heater, MP10 for circulation, a Duetto for top off, and AI Prime. It ran this way for 8 months until I had to relocate for work.

@Nano sapiens is a great example of stability, perseverance, and beauty. Another example is Danny who has a YouTube channel for his 40G shallow reef running the same way.

that's really cool was there regular water changes done?

 

[clowndaddy420]

Personally I'd add a skimmer but that's just me...

give it til you hear the chorus....One Night in Bangkok - YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com › watch

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

give it til you hear the chorus....One Night in Bangkok - YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com › watch

My friend was playing that song the other day...it's a good song but can almost guarantee you whoever wrote it probably just spent one week here...you see things different after being here for a while that the song doesn't really reflect

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I run 3 tanks on just rocks and flow (and a heater and light of course), 2 are fish only tanks, and the third is full of soft corals. I do water changes weekly usually.

 

[V A R I A N T]

that's really cool was there regular water changes done?

I performed weekly water changes, 2g each

 

[Tired]

Absolutely! All you need is water movement, light, and heat. I've had a pico up for a couple years without any filtration other than a canister filter (completely empty of media) for water movement and extra volume. Mechanical filtration and skimming is good for removing gunk, but corals like some of that gunk, and neither is mandatory for a successful reef.

 

[Nemo&Friends]

2 tanks, one with fish only, one with fish and macro algae, only heat, light, power head and HOB filter, plenty of live rocks.

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

Sure. Prioritize the following

1. Gas exchange
2. Temp
3. Steady salinity
4. Manage required ions
5. Some water movement