On my 46 gallon I am running an AquaClear 500 with just a sponge for mechanical. 50bls live rock for biological, a Eheim 2213 canister filter for carbon phosgaurd and other chemical filtration, and a remora hang-on-tank with a maxi-jet 1200.
My water quality is excellent, I have a minimal clean up crew (6 snails & an emerald crab) I
f you do not want a sump, I recommend this setup.