Mechanical filtration or not?

[davben2001]

I am curious about how many people do not use any mechanical filtration. I currently use filter socks, but I see a lot of atricles were people don't use any mechinical filtration. I am having trouble keeping my nitrates below 20ppm. Maybe because of the filter socks?

Without the filter socks, won't the sump get full of detritus?

I would appreciate any comments or experiences.

 

[Lotus99]

You can find out if it's the filter socks causing the nitrates by changing them two or three times a week.

If you could tell us more about your setup, there might be other reasons for the nitrates, such as bioballs, crushed coral, a high fish load, overfeeding, etc.

Many new tanks can take six months or a year before they become balanced enough in the bacterial colonies to reduce nitrates efficiently.