A question on Filtration

[adam_anzivino]

So live rock acts as a major filter in a saltwater aquarium, theres no need for screen filters or bio wheels, since they will trap and remove the helpful organisms in my tank correct? So would it be possible to run a tank with just a powerhead to keep the water flowing? I was told I need both a power filter and a powerhead. Thanks for your help!
-Adam

[greg97527]

we need more details, what size is ur tank, are you going to grow corals or fish only with live rock etc?
I will say that you were told wrong and a Protein Skimmer at the least is a must.

[jojo22]

For the short answer yes that is possible. I would however suggest that you invest in at least a protien skimmer if you are planing to have a deciently stocked tank. I must also say that I disagree with Greg since it is not uncommon for people to run nano tanks without a skimmer, the only downside to not haveing a skimmer is that you must be that much more aware of your matinence habits and stay closely on top of them or you will have problems. I have had a 2.5 gallon that started in a one gallon almost two months ago and I have not had any problems from not haveing a skimmer. This makes my case even more so considering the dificulty of runing a tank this small to begin with.

[adam_anzivino]

Ok heres my setup so far:
10 gallon glass aquarium
penguin 200 power filter (50 gph with meshscreen filter + rotating power wheel)
200 watt heater
2" argonite reef gravel on bottom
salinity at 30
specific gravity at 1.022
I keep my tank at about 74 degrees
[ this weekend i was planning on putting 10 pounds of live rock in my tank and a few frags in my filter to replace the screen]
I was thinking if I ran it like this for two weeks then I could get a powerhead and get rid of the power filter, maybe ad a damsel or such to my tank.
Thanks
-Adam

[jojo22]

I would also up your heat to somewhere between 76-80 degrees. I would keep the filter (minus the media) and add an aquaclear20 powerhead

[Sweetpea]

I have kept a 10 gallon tank for 1 1/2 yrs. with one powerhead and a small HOB filter. I removed the biowheel and added a cut-to-fit piece of PolyFilter. It has worked great for me. (and by the way, before I started using the PolyFilter, I had live rock rubble in there.) In the beginning, I had to be very careful about tank maintainence, but as the tank matured, I found that the less I "messed" with it the better. Water changes and PolyFilter replcement (and the occassional glass scraping) was all I had to do. Just patience and self-control...

[jojo22]

Self control being the more difficult of the two!

[carpenterwrasse]

when you get the tank where you want it my suggestion is don't mess with it unless its routine maintence..as the old saying goes if its not broke don't fix it...evryone here will be a great source of info..

[adam_anzivino]

thanks again for all the help guys!
-Adam

[jojo22]

No problem, thats why we all hang out here!