What filters are ABSOLUTELY necessary?

[ericsze]

What types of filters are absolutely necessary on a marine tank, 29 gallons, 5" DSB, fish only?

Wet/Dry, Power filter, canister filter, sump, protein skimmer, etc.?

 

[Biggen]

You need some type of biological filtration. This could be either through a wet/dry, power filter, canister filter, or with live rock.

You don't really need a sump and you don't need a skimmer (although they are recommended for beginning aquarist).

If you want something cheap, set up a power filter. If you want to spend a little more money and better results, go with a good wet/dry. If you want your tank you look natural, go with live rock. It is a little more expensive, but well worth the expense.

 

[Michel]

To me live rock and skimmer is the winning combination !

 

[HoopsGuru]

5" DSB,

IMO, with that there is plenty of surface area for biofiltration. I would pick up powerheads or use an empty power filter for water movement and some liverock for aesthetics. It may be important to use some sort of detrivore kit from a retailer like www.ipsf.com to seed your sandbed.