Run with no filter floss or mechanical media?

[cgr124]

Hi all, I’m starting a new tank upgrading from a nano tank I’ve had for 3 years. Soft coral, gobies, shrimp, and rock flower nem. I’m looking at the IM 20 peninsula or 25g lagoon. Curious if anyone runs tanks like this or any reef tank without mechanical media? I’ve always used filter floss but I’m wondering if I can just do weekly water changes with biological and chemical filters and forgo mechanical filters like floss, sponges, and socks? I feel like they restrict water flow and may not be necessary. If it’s a bad idea, I’ll stick with floss but just wanted to see if there are any new theories on running reef tanks this way. Thanks

 

[timber619]

This is a very common method of reef keeping. I sometimes go weeks without filter socks and my 2.5 when I had it used nothing ever.

 

[JoJosReef]

I don't run floss anymore. Just let it all flow through. Something will eat it and it will turn into mulm, which I understand is a normal part of a reef. I have an algae scrubber and macroalgae for filtration. Water change every now and then.

 

[FUNGI]

If you commit to WC weekly, you can run on just a skimmer...
especially (no offense) with that small of a tank......2.5G WC every weekend.....wont even need to dose.....

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I run my 15 gallon without any filtration, just 2 powerheads and weekly (5 gallon) water changes, its over 3 years old and thriving.

 

[fishyjoes]

I run a 20 gallon display with 10 gallon sump with no mechanical filtration.
The only "filtration" of any type I have is an algae scrubber. I used to run a skimmer but haven't needed it in a long time.

 

[Tahoe61]

I run small skimmers. Do small water changes. No socks or filter media. If you have sufficient rock you're covered with regard to biological filtration. You can use sponge or floss to polish and then remove the media.

 

[BryanM]

Hi all, I’m starting a new tank upgrading from a nano tank I’ve had for 3 years. Soft coral, gobies, shrimp, and rock flower nem. I’m looking at the IM 20 peninsula or 25g lagoon. Curious if anyone runs tanks like this or any reef tank without mechanical media? I’ve always used filter floss but I’m wondering if I can just do weekly water changes with biological and chemical filters and forgo mechanical filters like floss, sponges, and socks? I feel like they restrict water flow and may not be necessary. If it’s a bad idea, I’ll stick with floss but just wanted to see if there are any new theories on running reef tanks this way. Thanks

I typically run no filter socks. They are only in right now battling dinos.... and I put them in if I vacuum sand.

Otherwise my only nutrient export is an algae turf scrubber