Anyone go without any filtration?

[codyreefs]

I was. Just biological filtration as constant filtration method along with weekly or twice a week water changes. So as needed

 

A heater a powerhead and lights.

[seabass]

I have for short periods of time, but it would work long term too. There are a number of operating tanks which rely strictly on biological filtration and water changes. Mechanical (which I would include protein skimming) and chemical filtration aren't required, but are generally beneficial. However, I don't see any particular advantage in not using these other filters (besides the cost, noise, and bulk of the equipment and media).

[gkarris]

i've gotten into low tech/no tech aquariums so nothing beyond biological...

[khuzdul]

As long as you are on top of your water changes, it works great. The frequency and amount of water to be changed really depends on how much you need to replenish trace elements and how many nutrients you need to export. If you stock lightly, don't feed and your coral does not use trace elements up very fast, you can get by with really infrequent and small changes.

[Exodus]

Did it for 4 1/2 years only using live rock rubble in the back chamber, I personally would never do it again, water changes or not detrius builds up. You can have success with it for sure but if I could give you 1 tip I would strongly advise replacing your substrate every couple years, and if this is an AIO and your using live rock rubble be sure to put in mesh bags (Like the big orange ones) for easy removal, you will have to vacuum it out.

[brandon429]

Hey one neat point regarding the biology, you must feed or the whole system will die. not that it has to be often, or much, but some is required and not flexible here. There are zero coral systems that can live without some form of feed input.

 

Where death wouldnt occur would be a tank stocked with autotrophs. Heteros? yep=death.

[codyreefs]

I think it can be done with larger water changes like 30 percent weekly. I have ran a tank medium stocked without a skimmer of fuge I think going with a minimalist scape that I can get all debris waste out with a siphon.

[Hig789]

I only run 20lbs of live rock, sand and filter floss on my 15g with 10-15% weekly water changes. No fish though. Only CUC and corals. Will be adding my Tunze 9001 soon though.

 

There are many systems out there that don't run mechanical or chemical filtration. As long as your not over feeding, stay on top of your water changes, and don't add fish too quickly and give the bacteria time to grow to be able to keep up with the new added biolosd I don't see why it can't easily work.

[Nano sapiens]

Having run a 12g mixed reef for 7 years this way...

 

Whether or not it is a preferable method depends a lot on the type of aquarist, IMO. Not for the impatient or for those who want a 'quick-fix' solution to every issue, though.

 

What I can say is that once the system has stablized (and is kept that way through appropriate maintenance) it can be extremely stable, long term.

[Alexraptor]

My Mantis/Mandarin tank went without any filters for several years and with month or bi-monthly water changes.

Worked like a charm. Though I run a skimmer now as a precaution after a calcerous macro went sexual and almost killed everything.(I had not been on top of my Ca/Alk dosing regimen!).

[FlowerMama]

I'd think you'd want plenty of macros to eat up excess nutrients but looking at the macro threads there are so many insanely gorgeous tanks and it gives such a natural look that can't be beat.