No mechanical filtration in reef tank?

[KevinPuppy]

I just purchased a rimless 8 gallon shallow fish tank and I am considering not using any mechanical filtration. I will rely on the biological filtration provided by the rock and sand. What are your thoughts on whether or not I should use a filter? I only plan on having a maximum of 3 fish with a few invertebrates and soft corals in the tank.

 

[bobnicaragua]

I would run a skimmer.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The tank is far too small for 3 fish, very few fish would be happy in that tank size. Always a good idea to google suggested tank sizes for fish before purchase for their health and happiness

 

[F i s h y]

This can be done with a small bio load easily. You will want to periodically vacuum your sand to remove particulate matter and organics. A routine water change schedule once established will help keep No3 and Po4 in check.

 

[KevinPuppy]

The tank is far too small for 3 fish, very few fish would be happy in that tank size. Always a good idea to google suggested tank sizes for fish before purchase for their health and happiness

I plan on keeping a pair for 2 clown fish and still deciding on the other one

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I have what would be considered a heavy bio load and don't use any mechanical filtration.

This allows the skimmer to work to its full potential... hehe

 

[The_Paradox]

Biggest issue I can see is surface biofilm.

I have what would be considered a heavy bio load and don't use any mechanical filtration.

This allows the skimmer to work to its full potential... hehe

Skimmer is mechanical filtration.

 

[KevinPuppy]

The width of the aquarium is quite long and most fish need room to swim side to side. I plan on only keeping a pair of clownfish, and still haven’t decided on the other one yet.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Skimmer is mechanical filtration.

It's considered a biological filter... water isn't passing through any filter media.

 

[Gretchacha]

Hi KevinPuppy
Why not?
If your tank is very mature so that sandbed and rock is deeply evolved, all the better. Otherwise rely on frequent water changes until then.
The surface skim will be your challenge with this set up. A bubbler would help, such as the result of a sponge filter, but it sprays droplets everywhere that dry into corrosive salt crystals and frosts the glass between cleanings. A lot of turnover at the surface, like a gyre wavemaker or return pump nozzle directed parallel with the surface is an idea, too. Ocassional lifting of skum with paper towel may be necessary. I have had many small tanks. New pico has a sponge filter. Waterbox with canister filter has no overflow. The challenge is to keep things oxygenated everywhere, no dead corners.

Clowns get pretty big and eat a lot. It seems smaller fish would suit your filtration idea better. I think you would get a lot of oily skum with two adult clowns. FWIW, I read a pair needs a square foot of territory, at least. Might be uncomfortablely tight for a third fish when the fish mature.

Maybe a pink streaked wrasse, firefish, shrimp goby and pistol shrimp pair, striped fang blenny, royal gramma, something along those lines. 2” or less

 

[The_Paradox]

It's considered a biological filter... water isn't passing through any filter media.

I mean I guess here is probably some nitrifying bacteria in the neck. The primary action is from the lift pump and surface tension of the water though.

 

[F i s h y]

It's considered a biological filter... water isn't passing through any filter media.

I would disagree with this statement. A biological filter insinuates that some form of bacteria or other organism is breaking down or removing waste. The premise behind a skimmer is a mechanical introduction of fine bubbles that remove the waste due to the foam fractionation. It is essentially the same concept as a filter floss...

 

[Jekyl]

I plan on keeping a pair for 2 clown fish and still deciding on the other one

Clowns should be in a 20g tank. As far as filtration you need something providing gas exchange.

 

[CopepodsForSale]

I just purchased a rimless 8 gallon shallow fish tank and I am considering not using any mechanical filtration. I will rely on the biological filtration provided by the rock and sand. What are your thoughts on whether or not I should use a filter? I only plan on having a maximum of 3 fish with a few invertebrates and soft corals in the tank.

ive seen it done before just be vigilant on water changes and not to have a huge bio load.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

I just purchased a rimless 8 gallon shallow fish tank and I am considering not using any mechanical filtration. I will rely on the biological filtration provided by the rock and sand. What are your thoughts on whether or not I should use a filter? I only plan on having a maximum of 3 fish with a few invertebrates and soft corals in the tank.

it can definitely be done here's a video I just watched about this, sounds like a good idea to me with waterchanges, and it will look very clean without a bunch of equipment.

 

[KevinPuppy]

Clowns should be in a 20g tank. As far as filtration you need something providing gas exchange.

i have a wavemaker for gas exchange

 

[KevinPuppy]

it can definitely be done here's a video I just watched about this, sounds like a good idea to me with waterchanges, and it will look very clean without a bunch of equipment.

I’ve seen this video before. I want to have very little equipment, I only have a wavemaker and a heater. I think I’ll give it a try without any chemical or mechanical filtration!!!

 

[BeanAnimal]

Far too small for two clowns.

Maybe a SINGLE Randall’s goby or similar fish that is mostly stationary. That is even pushing it.

 

[KevinPuppy]

Far too small for two clowns.

Maybe a single Randall’s goby or similar fish that is mostly stationary.

I’ve seen people keep a pair of clownfish in smaller tanks. The width of the tank is long.

 

[Jekyl]

I’ve seen people keep a pair of clownfish in smaller tanks. The width of the tank is long.

Can and should are two opposite things. I don't think anyone is trying to be mean. Even dealers recommend 20g and its in their best interest for that number to be as small as possible.

In my personal experience my clowns own almost half of my 90g. They are mean, territorial fish. Nothing like the cartoon.