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Filter or not

B

BarrWarr

Member
Joined
11 Oct 2024
Messages
66
Location
England
Evening,

I have seen a few posts discussing filtration and I’m wondering if it really is possible not to have a filter on a tank?

My (one month old) tank is 58l, with Tropica soil and is probably medium-to-heavy planted. At present, there are a few Ramshorn, plenty of Bladder, single Nerite and an Assassin snail. I hope to get some shrimp in the next few weeks and maybe some more Ramshorn/Nerites.

I’m doing 50% WC twice a week.

Fish wise, I may just get a single specimen although I’m not absolutely sure I will get a fish.

I’ve read that the plants and substrate could be enough not to have a filter and just have good circulation/surface disturbance.

Is this a possibility or should I keep the filter?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
 
You already have a suitable filter by the sounds of it? I don’t really see the point in not using it if so. Yes you can run certain tanks without, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should though.
 
BarrWarr said:
I have seen a few posts discussing filtration and I’m wondering if it really is possible not to have a filter on a tank?
Click to expand...
It is possible. My low-tech tank does not have a filter. My high-tech tank has (in theory) an under-substrate filter but I haven't done any maintenance in years so I doubt it does much filtration any more. I understand why the filter selling people like filters but haven't really seen the point personally. No one seems willing to do the experiment of taking all the filtration media out of their filter to discover whether anything obviously bad happens. I expect the filters are useful e.g. at LFS where they are dramatically over-stocked and under-planted.
 
I’m not particularly happy with my filter for a few reasons and I’ve tried three different types now. I’m the kind who likes to keep things as natural as possible and although I do understand the need for filtration, the single sponge on my filter is rather small and of course it will be adding some value, but in the grand scheme of things, I’m not sure if it’s worth it?

It was more a curiosity thing rather than I’m seriously looking at going no filter.
 
Andy Pierce said:
It is possible. My low-tech tank does not have a filter. My high-tech tank has (in theory) an under-substrate filter but I haven't done any maintenance in years so I doubt it does much filtration any more. I understand why the filter selling people like filters but haven't really seen the point personally. No one seems willing to do the experiment of taking all the filtration media out of their filter to discover whether anything obviously bad happens. I expect the filters are useful e.g. at LFS where they are dramatically over-stocked and under-planted.
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Thanks. My tank is certainly low tech and I have no intention of going high tech. As I say, I’m just looking at a well planted tank with several inverts - I’m 90/10 about not having fish.
 
Whilst only a small sponge, it will be doing something as sponges are one of the best bio media around.

I seem to remember another thread of yours where you were considering an external filter…what have you tried since the , as you mention three filters that you’re not happy with? Not happy why?
 
hypnogogia said:
Whilst only a small sponge, it will be doing something as sponges are one of the best bio media around.

I seem to remember another thread of yours where you were considering an external filter…what have you tried since the , as you mention three filters that you’re not happy with? Not happy why?
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It wasn’t possible to use an external one because of the hood. I’ve tried the filter that came with the tank (only 380l/ph and media was rubbish), a 500l/ph but that was too powerful and I’ve currently got an Aquael Pat mini filter but the sponge traps snails and it’s borderline powerful enough.
 
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A quick google suggests that it came with a Ciano CF80 Filter with 1x 30 PPI Medium Foam and 1x Medium Water Clear. The 30ppm foam is an excellent bio filter medium. Not sure what the water clear is, but can it be replaced with another foam?
 
Ratvan said:
Is it just the fact that you can see it that's bothering you? I'm much the same and don't enjoy seeing equipment in the display
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Kind of - I did have it initially hidden behind decor but I’ve since re scaped it and it’s now at the front (easier to access). What also made me wonder about no filter is my bucket pond in the garden (I know it’s probably a poor example) but the water is crystal clear and all the plants (including duck weed) and inverts thrive.

If it was possible, I would be much happier to have a tank with just a couple of pumps/power heads but that’s probably not realistic.
 
hypnogogia said:
A quick google suggests that it came with a Ciano CF80 Filter with 1x 30 PPI Medium Foam and 1x Medium Water Clear. The 30ppm foam is an excellent bio filter medium. Not sure what the water clear is, but can it be replaced with another foam?
Click to expand...
As I mention above, that filter wasn’t providing enough flow.
 
Maf 2500 said:
The thing is, if you ditch the filter but go for a ciculation pump or powerhead instead, you are going to need something to stop inverts getting sucked into the pump. Something like a foam. So you will be back to square one.

Envobee shrimp do a good upgrade kit for the Pat mini, btw: It would probably spread the load enough to stop snails getting trapped in it.
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Thanks. I have actually ordered one of these larger sponges so I’ll see how it goes with that. I may have to move a couple of things as it is much larger than the sponge that comes with the filter.

Trying to get the right flow is difficult too - I’m yet to find a way/positioning so that all plants receive some without some getting absolutely bent over.
 
You mentioned the media is rubbish, and as I mentioned, foam isn’t rubbish and there may be an option to replace the other media with more foam. 380lph is plenty of flow in a low tech 58L tank, and only marginally less than the pat mini. I used to run a 60L planted tank with an air pump driven foam filter that probably turned over only 120lph and had crystal clear water, healthy fish and healthy plants.
 
On my journal, someone mentioned that the crate filter media that came with the filter are useless and a waste of money.

trouble is, I’m finding some plants (such as the mosses and hair grass) that are out of flow are getting bits trapped in the foliage so I’m having to use a turkey baster to blow it off and then siphon it away.

Maybe I’m being too much of a perfectionist and wanting everything to be absolutely pristine!
 
Maf 2500 said:
The thing is, if you ditch the filter but go for a ciculation pump or powerhead instead, you are going to need something to stop inverts getting sucked into the pump.
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I have hardly ever had either healthy fish or shrimp sucked into a powerhead. Is that an actual thing? I have had snails crawl into one and you hear their little heads rapped by the impeller until they back out again with no harm seemingly done.
 
Andy Pierce said:
I have hardly ever had either healthy fish or shrimp sucked into a powerhead. Is that an actual thing? I have had snails crawl into one and you hear their little heads rapped by the impeller until they back out again with no harm seemingly done.
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Yes it is a thing. No different to the inlet to a canister filter which shrimp keepers will make sure is screened.

It is mainly for the protection of baby and juvenile shrimp and fish - if these entered your powerhead they would exit as mincemeat and you would be unlikely to see any evidence of their passing.
 
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