Who's running without mechanical filtration?

Randy Holmes-Farley

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Are you considering bare, shallow or DSB?

I like the look of sand, and will have some, but don't see a reason to take up a lot of display space with deep sand. If I end up with an anemone or two that needs more sand than the remainder of the tank, I might have an area with more.
 

Digitalfirex

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I run a pretty simple system. I do use mesh socks but still am getting a nice build up of mulm starting because I tend to let them overflow for a day or so before I change them. Tank has only been running since March. I've never cleaned a sump on any tank. When I tore down my last tank I scooped all the sump nastiness from 7 years and dumped in the sump of the new build. It was full of life.

Rock is from the last tank. Display was started with all dry rock. It's run as a cryptic fuge so no light.
PXL_20240616_160621298.jpg


DT
PXL_20241018_004836580~2.jpg


For disclosure I do currently have a skimmer running skimming very dry when I remember to turn it back on after feeding. After I started running it I found out the smart timer for the scrubber LEDs got dumb and wasn't turning them on. After fixing that and adding the skimmer my PO4 went from 0.68 to 0.27. I'm about ready to shut the skimmer down and see how things go.

EDIT : @VintageReefer was a big help in my decision to run this tank using these methods.

That's a cool looking sump :D

Do you know the brand or manufacturer of it??
 

forestsofkelp

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I run no mechanical filtration. No noticeable junk buildup.
I used to run it, but having to swap it out, rinse it, plus letting it degrade in the tank seemed to raise my phosphate.

Instead I skim a little wet, run a powerhead in the sump and run minimal sand in the tank. Water is crystal clear.

If ever need mechanical filtration I run a power filter in the display which I think is far better than filter socks/rollers etc. I swap out the filter every day and pop in a new one. I havent used it for over a year.
 

VintageReefer

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No mech filtration. I must have a dirty dirty tank lol

Sand bed is 10 years old and never been manually cleaned
 

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Tcook

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I use a Trigger CR44 sump on my tank and pulled all the socks out. Just run a Life Reef skimmer and turned the center section into a refugium with sand, LR, clams, gorgs, rock anemones

IMG_0227.jpeg
 

Jasonak

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I just put my skimmer back in because im carbon dosing but mine was fine without it. I got rid of it to try and keep my NITs up.
 

RichReef

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The more corals you have the less mechanical filtration you need.

Corals are the best mechanical filtration out there.

So as your tank grows the less it will require. Unless you start out with a tank full of coral colonies.
 

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