Recommendations for filtration without a sump.

[Pooky Barr]

I know sumps are strongly recommended- but I have had floods in the past with my last tank, so I really don't feel comfortable with using a sump. I have a 75 gallon with lots of live rock and sand. I run a HOB protein skimmer. I was thinking about getting more filtration to polish the water and take out any particles of unused food. I do have a cuc. Is it recommended that I get an additional filtration system and if so suggestions for which ones are best would be appreciated? Thank you. ( I know some might still want to advise that I should use a sump, I just am not comfortable with the flooding issues) Thank you!
BTW my tank is 4 months old. Currently fish only, 2 clowns, but my slow plan is to add more fish and some corals.

 

[bigfruits]

I think a hang on filter like an Aquaclear 70 would be an easy way to run different media at the same time in bags. A canister filter would be better but requires more cleaning.

If you only want to run one type of filtration, a hang on reactor might be a good option. I think you can mix GFO and carbon in there actually.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I run a large Fluval (formerly Aquaclear) on my 40 breeder. It's a great place to run media, adds a bit of extra flow.

 

[Moray26]

I have the same setup as you. 75 sumpless with a hob protein skimmer. I also run a canister filter with pads and carbon. Also a reactor with gfo. Works great! I had a moray eel that was a huge bio load and this seemed to keep my water perfect.

 

[Pooky Barr]

Moray26, can I ask what brands you use?

 

[Pigpen17]

I am no expert, but I bought a Two Little Fishes media reactor. I am running GFO in it now, but I have run it with filter floss and carbon in it as well. It's hang on and pretty easy to clean.

The only down side is I bought the 150 first, and the pump was really loud, so I upgraded to the 550 reactor using the MJ600 pump and it runs very quiet. I suppose you can do the same with the 150 reactor and the mj400 pump.

 

[Moray26]

My set up is:
Lighting - Maxspect Razor 320W LED
HOB Skimmer - Reef Octopus BH1000 HOB
Canister Filter - API Filtstar XL with sponge (20 and 30) as well as carbon
Reactor - Two little fishes 150 with Rowa Phos
Pump - Maxspect Gyre 150

Hope this helps! It does wonders for my setup as my tanks bioload was very high due to the eel... But never had any issues. I do monthly water changes also.

 

[Leyth]

You can also look into AquaClear HOB refugium conversions. Or run two aquaclears, one as fuge and one as media filter.

 

[SFish]

Sumpless can be done but you should know if your sump is properly designed you won't have a flood. A check valve and a siphon break will prevent back flow and the sump should be designed to hold the water from the over flow. That being said nothing wrong with going sumpless.

 

[fijisrfr]

Here's a 90 gallon cube, no dump, internal tune skimmer & filter

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[carrots]

I have been running a 125 gallon mixed reef with an Aquaclear 300 for the past 3 years. You just have to remember to clean the sponge out weekly. There is still room for GFO etc in the filter. I also use two MP40s with sponges to keep dirt suspended. Mp sponges get cleaned a few times per week.

 

[jbvdhp]

Paint the back pane black and use any HOB filter you'd like. I see your concern, that's what I would do. Aqueon makes some nice, Italian made HOB filters. You could throw some ceramic rings in there for more bio filtration or live rock rubble. I used it as a HOB fuge and tossed some macro in it when I was running one temporarily.


Sent using your IP address

 

[Percula9]

I recommend a canister filter because it has much more filter surface area than a hob filter.

 

[MuShu]

I'm running an Eheim pro canister filter on my 55 gal. Maintenance appears to be really easy- just change the scrubber pad every three-six months and carbon if you use it in one of your media baskets, and then the blue pad gets changed once a year. All the other media stays.

 

[Pigpen17]

Here's a 90 gallon cube, no dump, internal tune skimmer & filter

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh, I love that tank! Makes me want to buy a second cube tank!

 

[ATATT]

Have you considered Tunze multipliers?

 

[saveafish]

I ran a 120 with two marineland imperial 400 bio filters. Prolly the best hang on filter.

 

[Uncle99]

I use two aquaclear 110's, run carbon 24-7 in them, change the sponge each week.
I use an under gravel filter system covered by 3" of sand, then nylon window screen,,then another 3" of sand. I use two aqua clear power heads to make the draw. I have used this system for 27 years.