Going Sump-less/Filter-less.... Good, Bad, or Ugly?

[viking]

Wanted to get some opinions on this. I'm building my 20 Long empire and have read mixed reviews on the necessity of having a sump or HOB filter. Some swear by sump/filter while others say as long as you have enough live rock and sand (and do weekly water changes) you should be all set. The latter is appealing to me based on cost and complexity. I'm just starting out, so it would be nice to have a smaller investment until I get the hang of reefing. I'm sure once the "reef bug" is in full swing I'll want a DIY sump, but for now I want to make it simple.

If going sump-less/filter-less is not a good idea I want to start planning for these things. Basically, I want to make my first SW tank as simple as possible. If this means adding more equipment I'm all for it. Thoughts???

 

[myram]

It really depends on the bio-load you are going to have in the tank. If you go with 20lbs of good porous live rock and 20lbs of seeded live sand, have good flow, and a light bio-load............you should be all set with no filters.

Really with a 20gal tank, you could use a AquaClear 50 so you could have some carbon filtration. They are small, silent, and very dependable.

Steve

 

[jdeb101]

It really depends on the bio-load you are going to have in the tank. If you go with 20lbs of good porous live rock and 20lbs of seeded live sand, have good flow, and a light bio-load............you should be all set with no filters.

Really with a 20gal tank, you could use a AquaClear 50 so you could have some carbon filtration. They are small, silent, and very dependable.

Steve

+1 on that. I've been running my tank sumpless/filterless for years. I do however run a skimmer. But again, if your bioload is small and you keep up with maintenance you should be fine. Welcome to the hobby!

 

[Ruge13]

Agree with others, I've done it before with a 12g. Keeping up with water changes will be essential, but easy and low cost with a 20g. I had no issues with SPS, softies, and a couple fish in the 12 with weekly water changes. About half my volume was rock. I did cheat though, I used Chemi-pure Elite. A small HOB filter using a carbon insert (or filled with something like Chemi pure) will help you a bit I think. Carbon is far less expensive though if you are trying to keep costs down.

You will also need to keep up with evaporation on a small tank. You will probably need to add water daily if you do not set up some sort of auto top off system (highly recomend with a nano tank). Small tanks suffer from salinity swings quickly. Not a big deal, just be conscious of that. Automation can be as cheap as a $6 power head, $2 of tubing, and a $5 float switch off the internet or $100 for a branded ATO system. I have been using the same $5 float switch for 5 years now on 3 different tanks. Some people consider them "risky" because snails can trip them etc. but I have had 0 issues so I continue to use one.

Small tanks are fun, and you will learn a lot fast about keeping water in good condition with a smaller tank. To be honest, I found my smallest tank to be far easier to mess with than my largest tank.

 

[viking]

Sounds like HOB with carbon is the way to go. Awesome feedback. I love this forum!

I tell myself that I want a small bio load but I'm 99% sure once the tank is up and running I will want to max out my livestock. Should I plan on a larger HOB that can accommodate a nano skimmer or small fuge? I can say that my goal would be for 2 clowns, flame angel, and all coral types. Is that a large bio load for 20 long?

 

[viking]

@ ruge13 Definately want an ATO and your DIY recommendation sounds great. I will look into that further. Have two kids so any automation I can build in will save me a lot of work.

 

[Bobbofin]

I had a Nano-Cube for a while and all it had in the back was some carbon and a sponge filter so a AquaClear 50 would be fine. You would defianately would have to keep up with your maintance schedule (water changes), not over feed if you go that route.

 

[viking]

I did cheat though, I used Chemi-pure Elite. A small HOB filter using a carbon insert (or filled with something like Chemi pure) will help you a bit I think. Carbon is far less expensive though if you are trying to keep costs down.

Quick question. Never used Chemi-pure, so does this replace the need for the carbon filter? Would the filter contain a foam instert and then Chemi-pure below that? Just read up on Chemi-pure and it sounds like a good idea.

 

[Mini4x]

I run my nano with a small HOB filter just to keep some flow and filtration, and I change 1g every 7-10 days..

 

[ScottyD]

I suggest looking for a used Remora HOB skimmer to handle any bio load and you don't need a sump.

A sump is used for a few reasons. Increase system water volume which is good, possible refugium, and to hide heaters and skimmers. They do help but are not required to keep a reef.

Most reefers look down on filters because if not maintained constantly they become nitrate factories. A skimmer is the best way to go IMO.

 

[viking]

Broke down and got the Hydor Slim/Skim skimmer. Saw a really good YouTube review done by Mr. Saltwater. I'll be starting a build thread soon so that everyone can comment on my mistakes!!!