Tank filtration question...

I have a 55 gallon reef tank with roughly 35-40lbs of live rock and live sand. I've always used a HOB filter because I do not have room for a sump.

However, the HOB filter I own is a bit noisy. I went ahead and turned it off and am wondering whether or not this is ok? Do I need some sort of mechanical filtration? I have heard that the blue filters inside house nitrates after some time.
I do not have a protein skimmer but I have 2 koralia powerheads circulating the water.

Thoughts? I would be grateful. It is much quieter without the filter and I love it!

 

You'd still need something to filter nutrients/uneaten food. I think no filter is a bad idea.

 

I'd look into an Aqua Clear brand HOB. They are little more costly but well worth it as they are silent and very effective. Sometimes the lid will vibrate but it usually because of salt creep. Just rinse it, or tape it down, or just run it without it.

Now if the filter is noisy because of "water splash" you just need to keep up on top offs. I have to add anywhere from 1/4 - 1/2 a gallon every one or two days in order to not hear a splash on my 40b. You may want to look into some way of auto top off.

Hope this helps...

 

Wow thank you for that last post! You are correct in that the noise is from the splash! I try to keep up with it but I have to make an hour drive just to get RO water and when I can't do it immediaty, somedays the water leeks just get a little low.

I will definitely look into that brand of skimmer. I'm also looking at a reef octopus bh100f filter... I'm almost sold on it but don't know anything about noise level. Any advice or thoughts?!

Thank you all again!

 

Not sure on skimmers because I don't run one. I just do water changes. I can't get RODI water very quickly either, but I use distilled water from Winn-Dixie. It is steam distilled and ozonated and runs about $0.69 a gallon.

 

Good one Coastie... Glad you guys figured it out Geaux

 

For most people, their Live Rock is their primary filtration. I would say that their secondary is a protein skimmer, but like Coastie Reefer, I just do water changes every week. I do have two aquaclear 50 HOB filters myself though.

 

A mechanical filter like a HOB isn't going to do much besides remove Detritus anyhow. It's not reducing any NO3 or P04. (though, neither is a Protein skimmer... but it does remove the nutrient before the breakdown to that point)

What size tank, how much do you feed. What are the contents and what are your goals with the system?