No mechanical filter

[reef344]

I’ve decided to stop using all mechanical filtration and use just live rock and sand along with 2 wave makers. I will do a water change every week. Is this sustainable? I keep seeing mixed responses.
Thanks!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Welcome to reef2reef.

It could work, but I find a filter sock really is worth it.

If you have food or debris, after a long time of just moving in the water current, it will finally settle into your sand, and then decompose.

A filter sock removes that, and then you can easily take the sock out and rinse the stuff out of it.

That's just my opinion, but I find it really helps to keep the tank clean, and helps to keep the tank looking clean because there won't be a lot of debris in the water column.

 

[MoshJosh]

I think the answer is, it CAN work. Going to depend on a bunch of factors, stocking and feeding being some of the more important I would think. . .

 

[JC1977]

As others have said it could work but in my experience without some sort of mechanical filtration the water column never looks clear due to all the particles floating around. Even some padding or floss would be better than nothing and it’s super easy to swap out.

 

[Bpones]

My understanding is the Berlin method doesn’t employ any mechanic filtration.
I personally don’t use any in my main system and have zero issues. Just a big dump full of macro algae and skimmer.

 

[ryanjohn1]

I currently only run a sock.