Micro/self contained-climates dont work completely on their own for to long a time, they need a little help =) I was going to add a filter to my set up but didnt at the end, I to chose to do partial water changes every two weeks or so, But I really dont see what harm a filter would do? It would be benificial I would think, I just chose not to use it becuase it would be just another item to buy, have you seen the prices on canister filters lately! and you still have to do water changes even with the filter! I had a couple of frogs in an old set up and boy can they go! and chose to do so in the water! so needless to say the water got a bit nasty even with a filter, so yeah, water changes to me are a must!

I would think that the filter would need to be cleaned, so it still doesn't make it maintenance free. I will probably just not use one, I can do water changes. Thanks! I was thinking "out loud".