Do I need filter items on reef tank ?

[Shark888]

Hello,

I have noticed that most of you guys dont use any kind of filter like balls, ceramic, sponge, etc... Instead most use only a filter sock with a skimmer and liverock.

My question is if I can get rid of my filter (see attached pics), I bought the tank (all in one), with a lot of filter items (sponge, balls, etc...) and a skimmer sitting on the back of the tank. So I would like to know your advise about this.

By the way on the display I have liverock sitting.

 

[thegrun]

Using a filter does help remove small food particulates before they break down and turn eventually into nitrates, but only use them if you are willing to clean them every three days of use or they simply trap detritus and make the problem worse. Many of us do not run any mechanical filtration at all. I've gone back and forth and currently I am using them on my 120 gallon reef tank. I was getting a fair amount of detritus settling in my sump during the time I didn't run filter socks.
I would not use the balls or rings, they are too difficult to clean and if you don't clean them often they actually will raise your nitrate levels.

 

[JUNBUG361]

I would probably use them, just to see they work

 

[jonto]

I use an Aquaclear 110 with sponge, bio-spheres, charcoal, and Poly Fiber. Also use an Octo1000 HOB skimmer. My water is crystal clear after 5 months of settling in.
The Aquaclear pulls out all kinds of gunk.

 

[Drix]

God, I hated my aquaclear with a passion. In a well balanced tank a filter probably isn't strictly necessary, however, filters just make life easier sometimes. I'm not a proponent of heavy filtration, but some charcoal and a particulate filter goes a long way hen combined with a swimmer.

 

[mcgyvr]

I don't use nor recommend any sort of mechanical filter floss/sponge/socks,etc...
Ceramic media is just alternative live rock so its fine.. carbon fine too..

 

[PeteStarks]

Same thing everyone else is saying. They work well if you clean them at least twice a week before the food trapped in the padding can rot and go back into the water. I would even be careful with settlement inside the media sections. You won't want to rise it and kill the bacteria, but you want to avoid chunks of things settling in there to decomp by swishing it in tank water before you toss it during a water change.