Mechanical filtration

[whizingdonkey]

I'm thinking of starting up a marine tank (FOWLR) but was wondering what carries out the mechanical filtration. Is it the protein skimmer? Or should I keep a filter running with just some mechanical filtration media in it?

 

[chkltcow]

Crabs, snails, bristleworms, starfish, and various microfauna. You can run something with mechanical filtration, but make sure you clean it often so it doesn't become a nitrate factory.

 

[whizingdonkey]

So a "clean up clean up crew" would provide adequate mechanical filtration?

 

[steelhealr]

Depends on the tank size, but, in general yes. The LR provides biologic...cleanup eats detritus and algae...powerheads keep other material in suspension for removal with water changes or a skimmer if you use one. If you use a NC and add LR rubble in the middle chamber, or, use a lot of media inserts, these can act as mechanical filters and will need to be cleaned periodically. SH

 

[whizingdonkey]

The tanks 180l. Would a clean up crew and protein skimmer suffice for mechanical filtration

 

[parker313]

Yup! I have 2 Aqua Clear filters on my tank, in lieu of powerheads. I had sponge media in them both but just recently went ahead and removed all of the filter media completely. Now, they are a handy spot for putting in meds or the phosphate remover or whatever else I want to put in without being IN the tank and they provide a good flow rate. The liverock is the best biological filtration you can get and if you have a good cleanup crew (approx 1 per gallon), they'll take care of the gunk that would normally get trapped in the mechanical filtration.