FIlterless 29gal advice needed

[NanoDrummer09]

Ive been running a 10gal filterless for about 6 months now and as long as i have kept up with water changes and feeding/dosing i have seen awesome growth and limited to no algae blooms or problems. Im thinking about upgrading to a slightly larger tank and was wondering about some concerns. What can i do to maximize the filterless experience? Should i go bare bottom? I currently have a one inch black live sand bed and about 15lbs of live rock. Any advice of tank size for a small student apt? My dream tank is a 40 breeder but i think i might be moving within a year and can see myself hating myself by that time unless breaking down a tank isn't as bad as i think it is. I have a 24" 150w sun pod that i can't sell so i would use it for a bigger aquarium i just need some extra info or first hand experience. Thanks for listening and for any advice! h

 

[Timfish]

Here's what I do on a 240 filterless system I maintain, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eCQSVdqBQA

Water changes are typically every other Tuesday and every other Friday. Probably quarterly water changes are stretched to two weeks and very occasionally three weeks. First thing is to add dechlorinated tapwater to replace evaporation since the last water change. Mix up 20 gallons add a 1/4 cup of CaribSea's Araga Might powder and very occasionally some super buffer then perform a 20 gallon water change. Occasionally check the two Aquaclear 70 and 2 Korallia 2 and clean if neccessary. About once a month I remove a bunch of Xenia. Usually some of the other corals get trimmed monthly. Depending on how many are left in the tank BTAs get removed (had one split into triplets last year and one this year, swear it was just to jerk my chain because one will always do a walkabout and sting something ). You probly won't need to run carbon or GFO but you need to have a small canister filter or reactor ready just in case.

Delbeek and Sprung, "The Reef Aquarium" Vol III, discuss Lee Chin Eng's and Dr. Jauberts pumpless, skimmerless systems I would reccomend getting it, I believe it's available on ibooks.

 

[SoonerE39]

You may find this thread interesting about a sumpless, skimmerless 40 breeder tank that looks awesome
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=893433&pp=25

 

[NanoDrummer09]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions! I was thinking about going bare bottom but after seeing these tanks withstand I still like the look more with. So overall stay good about water changes and chem levels. I'm already running an ATO on my 10gal so I can keep that and my lights will do fine with a slightly larger upgrade.