No filter nano?

[jkennedy1007]

Huh, been in this hobby for something like eight years and I never heard that mechanical filtration was a big deal. Maybe I'm just ignorant but most folks do LR plus whatever reactors they prefer? Or is it just a pico/small nano problem?

pico issue
no one in the right mind would run a big reef without filtration

[acbaldwin]

pico issue
no one in the right mind would run a big reef without filtration

Ah, I wrote that last night while I was tired and forgot that skimmers are considered mechanical filtration.

I'm of the opinion that powerhead only can be done without issue provided you stay on top of water changes and watch parameters. I've always changed tanks before they got old so can't say from experience, but my current setup has been running since July. I added a proper skimmer a couple months ago and last week I took the skimmer out again. We'll see how it goes but the first week has been better for algae and my duncans have almost doubled their extension. I'm running a very macro heavy tank and fuge so while I think I'll be fine I can't say that my results would extend to others.

Here's a 40 that has been running low tech for three years.

[hyemp]

Ah, I wrote that last night while I was tired and forgot that skimmers are considered mechanical filtration.

I'm of the opinion that powerhead only can be done without issue provided you stay on top of water changes and watch parameters. I've always changed tanks before they got old so can't say from experience, but my current setup has been running since July. I added a proper skimmer a couple months ago and last week I took the skimmer out again. We'll see how it goes but the first week has been better for algae and my duncans have almost doubled their extension. I'm running a very macro heavy tank and fuge so while I think I'll be fine I can't say that my results would extend to others.

Here's a 40 that has been running low tech for three years.

Wow, beautiful tank. Are you still only running carbon?

[acbaldwin]

Wow, beautiful tank. Are you still only running carbon?

Oh, I'm sorry, that one's not mine! (But I sure made it sound that way, didn't I?) Mine is a ~60, grown from a 35 to a 40b. I don't have a current FTS but I have a writeup here.
I do mention having a skimmer from the beginning, but disregard that. Now that I've had an SCA skimmer I realize that the Bak Pak did *nothing*.

[jkennedy1007]

Oh, I'm sorry, that one's not mine! (But I sure made it sound that way, didn't I?) Mine is a ~60, grown from a 35 to a 40b. I don't have a current FTS but I have a writeup here.
I do mention having a skimmer from the beginning, but disregard that. Now that I've had an SCA skimmer I realize that the Bak Pak did *nothing*.

figures not urs, to hard for me to believe that post at all .still has filtration on it..and he broke that tank down
.having those results and breaking it down , is suspicious!
keep us posted on your build, it will help us out on this thread

[acbaldwin]

figures not urs, to hard for me to believe that post at all .still has filtration on it..and he broke that tank down
.having those results and breaking it down , is suspicious!
keep us posted on your build, it will help us out on this thread

I'll definitely keep everyone updated. I'm inclined to believe the guy with the 40b, but I think a big part was his bioload - four small fish.

[Squid]

My 5gal Aquatop. Been running for a little over a year. Removed a bunch of coral and a gbta and maroon clown yesterday. There's nothing in the filtration chambers except rubble rock and has not been changed since I first set it up. Power head (not sure if considered mechanical filtration) and heater were dipped in hydrogen peroxide recently so that is why they are white.



10 gal plumbed to 10 gal. Been working on both tanks moving stuff around pass couple days getting rid of some hitchhikers



10 gal sump. 1st chamber is drain with live rock 2nd is fuge with dsb live rock an red gracilaria 3rd is return with live rock. There are a couple power heads to stir things up during wc.

[jkennedy1007]

is it weird im gritting my teeth looking @ that nano ?

thanks buddy
solidifying my claims

[acbaldwin]

is it weird im gritting my teeth looking @ that nano ?

thanks buddy
solidifying my claims

Hard to tell with the 10's pics, but they both look fine to me, despite the 5 being quite sparse.

[hyemp]

Hard to tell with the 10's pics, but they both look fine to me, despite the 5 being quite sparse.

No offense meant, but no chance I am trying to have my 12 look like that.

[acbaldwin]

No offense meant, but no chance I am trying to have my 12 look like that.

Maybe I have terrible standards but everything looks healthy. To me it just looks like he's been slacking on maintenance with glass cleaning. Is there something I'm missing?

[hyemp]

Maybe I have terrible standards but everything looks healthy. To me it just looks like he's been slacking on maintenance with glass cleaning. Is there something I'm missing?

No, I agree it looks like it just needs a solid cleaning. I more so meant I just wouldn't want to let my tank get to that point. I like the look of something super clean.

[Squid]

No worries I don't take any offense. Algae is not a matter of cleanliness for me but rather nutrient presence and preference. I prefer to have some coraline on the glass and some algae present as an indication of the nutrients present. Also the 5 is not currently a dt so I kinda let it get away lol but nothing a 20 min scrub won't fix. As for the 10 gal, I jus haven't scrubbed that back left side but a 1 min scrub would take care of that as well.

No, I agree it looks like it just needs a solid cleaning. I more so meant I just wouldn't want to let my tank get to that point. I like the look of something super clean.

[hyemp]

No worries I don't take any offense. Algae is not a matter of cleanliness for me but rather nutrient presence and preference. I prefer to have some coraline on the glass and some algae present as an indication of the nutrients present. Also the 5 is not currently a dt so I kinda let it get away lol but nothing a 20 min scrub won't fix. As for the 10 gal, I jus haven't scrubbed that back left side but a 1 min scrub would take care of that as well.

I'm with you. Like I said, I didnt want to come off like I was saying your tank was bad or gross or anything.

[jkennedy1007]

No, I agree it looks like it just needs a solid cleaning. I more so meant I just wouldn't want to let my tank get to that point. I like the look of something super clean.

those corals look weeded! in nano

10 gallon is tits though good work!