Fish only system with no live rock?

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by nightster, Dec 24, 2011.

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  1. nightster

    nightster Pajama Cardinal

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    Is it possible to keep a healthy fish only system without using live rock? I'm gonna use a skimmer and a wet/dry. Just wondering if it would work.
     
    nightster, Dec 24, 2011
    nightster, Dec 24, 2011
    #1

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  2. Coastie Reefer

    Coastie Reefer Millepora

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    I would think it possible as the bacteria will be in the substrate, but you may extremely limited in the amount of fish that you could add.
     
    Coastie Reefer, Dec 24, 2011
    Coastie Reefer, Dec 24, 2011
    #2
  3. ReefPlayground

    ReefPlayground 3reef Sponsor

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    youll be 100% fine. live rock is not a necessity. as an example, i'd like to refer everyone to any casino aquarium in vegas. ;p

    we've setup countless system without the use of rock. Wet/Dry filters are great biological fitlers, as are fludized bed filters. There are countless ways to set-up a proper aquarium without any live rock
     
    ReefPlayground, Dec 24, 2011
    ReefPlayground, Dec 24, 2011
    #3
  4. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

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    1+ and IMO they are VERY ugly!
     
    1.0reef, Dec 24, 2011
    1.0reef, Dec 24, 2011
    #4
  5. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    +1

    Not too many decades ago, that's all we had... and they worked great.
     
    Mr. Bill, Dec 24, 2011
    Mr. Bill, Dec 24, 2011
    #5
  6. NanaReefer

    NanaReefer Fu Manchu Lion Fish

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    100% agree! And am finally glad to see/read/hear someone else besides me give wet/dry filters their props :)
     
    NanaReefer, Dec 24, 2011
    NanaReefer, Dec 24, 2011
    #6

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  7. The Sea Store

    The Sea Store 3reef Sponsor

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    Absolutely! You have the substrate as well as the wet/dry, these two components will house your biological filtration needed to sustain life.

    ~ Good luck :)
     
    The Sea Store, Dec 24, 2011
    The Sea Store, Dec 24, 2011
    #7
  8. rocketmandb

    rocketmandb Ocellaris Clown

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    Live rock and live sand will help export nitrates. Without them you will need some method of export. That can be anything from water changes to nitrate filters.
     
    rocketmandb, Dec 24, 2011
    rocketmandb, Dec 24, 2011
    #8
  9. SwimsWithFish

    SwimsWithFish Giant Squid

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    just out of curiosity, what would you put in the tank for decoration? will it just be an empty tank with fish? benificial bascteria will grow on anything. the reason live rock is used it because it has a very big surface area. same with wet/drys, but you have to keep your (bio) balls clean.
     
    SwimsWithFish, Dec 24, 2011
    SwimsWithFish, Dec 24, 2011
    #9
  10. nightster

    nightster Pajama Cardinal

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    I'm not sure what ill have for deco. Maybe just some random rocks I have. Still not 100% percent sure I'm gonna do it...
     
    nightster, Dec 24, 2011
    nightster, Dec 24, 2011
    #10
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