Mechanical filtration needed?

OK, im a bit confused. Some posts say all you need is protein skimmer, sump and live (which I have) and some say you need to add some type mechanical filtration (which I also have). Which one is it? Can I get away with dumping the HOB filter? Ive been debating on dropping some money a canister but would rather spend it on more live rock. My specs are 30 gallon fowlr (for now), 10 gallon sump, skimmer rated for 100 gallons, 2 ph's in main tank and about 40lbs of lr. Also have HOB rated for 60 on sump.

If I can get rid of the hob and go totally Berlin, what would happen to the suspended material in the water column? Would my watter not get cloudy? My stock is only 1 clown, bi-color psuedo, condy anemone, and a few crabs and snails. Also, I didnt add a refugium to my sump and dont plan on it.

 

you dont need the HOB or canister with a sump. the water movement will keep the particles suspended for the skimmer to do its job. LR,LS with skimmer and fuge is my suggestion.

 

Although you don't want to add a fuge, that would be your next best step. Ditch the filter and get a fuge goin!

 

Thanks for the fast response guys! What if a fuge is not used but water testing and changes are done religously?

 

If you are not careful when using a mechanical filter you can pollute the tank--they need to be cleaned very regularly. If you have FOWLR you may also consider adding a UV sterilizer to cut down on fish pathogens and bacterial blooms that cloud the water.

 

keeping on top your tank is always good, but a fuge is also one step better. GFO, carbon?

 

Your probably going to get a different response from each person. I've got a filter sock for mechanical filtration whenever I end up stirring up the sand for one reason or another. A common answer you are going to see is to add a fuge and I'm suggesting the same thing, it can only help. More live rock is always a plus and invest in a good quality skimmer. If you can't afford live rock then use dead rock and it will go live after a time. Filters are a pain in my humble opinion.

 

I like my water clear though. I use a filter media from the fabric store. It is just fine enough to need changing every week. Planned it tha way because I do my maintenance every week.

I thought the whole point of mechanical filtration was to remove stuf before it gets broke down. I do know the skimmer is considered a mechanical filter.

I use a fine filter from time to time before my return pump. I really like clear water.

So is it right to say by ditching the filter pad, my skimmer will do the same job??? Suggestions. (And yes, I'm working on seting up a fuge.)

 

no, but i dont know if i would use a filter pad from a fabric store. clear water comes from keeping the particles suspended for the skimmer and other items to collect them. but depending on the corals housed particles in the water are good. if the water is to clear then the corals have nothing to feed on.

 

Well, you know, it's polyester filler/batting. 1" thick and a bit finner than regular blue filter pad. I made sure just to get 100% poyester. Does not mean there is not some sort of contaminate though. I have been running carbon and chempure though to keep things clean???

Of course there is still stuff in the water, just not as much. Mainly I tried to get a pad that would be used in a week. The blue stuff seemed like it was not "full" yet, but I didn't want it in there longer than a week so it would not get biological.

And yes, I get your point. Too fine of filtration will take out too much stuff from the column. Maybe I'll give it a try. Take out the pad and just let the skimmer run and see how it goes. I added sand once and talk about cloudy! But yes, my skimmer was full of very fine stuff.