Recommendations for filtration without a sump.

Pooky Barr · 06/16/2016, 09:56 AM

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 · 06/16/2016, 10:07 AM

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 · 06/16/2016, 10:12 AM

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 · 06/16/2016, 10:33 AM

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 · 06/16/2016, 10:58 AM

Moray26, can I ask what brands you use?

Pigpen17 · 06/16/2016, 11:02 AM

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 · 06/17/2016, 08:04 AM

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 · 06/17/2016, 08:59 AM

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

SFish · 06/17/2016, 09:13 AM

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 · 06/17/2016, 09:15 AM

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

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

carrots · 06/17/2016, 10:13 AM

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 · 06/17/2016, 12:29 PM

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 · 06/18/2016, 03:33 PM

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

MuShu · 06/18/2016, 04:34 PM

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 · 06/18/2016, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fijisrfr

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 · 08/17/2018, 04:02 PM

Have you considered Tunze multipliers?

saveafish · 08/18/2018, 05:19 AM

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

Uncle99 · 08/19/2018, 08:05 AM

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.

06/16/2016, 09:56 AM	#1
Pooky Barr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bakersfield, Ca. Posts: 54	Recommendations for filtration without a sump. 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.

06/16/2016, 10:12 AM	#3
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	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. __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

06/16/2016, 10:33 AM	#4
Moray26 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Ontario Posts: 153	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. __________________ 75 Gallon Mixed Reef, Reef Octopus BH2000, Sumpless, Maxspect Razor 320w Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Mixed Reef

06/16/2016, 11:02 AM	#6
Pigpen17 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tacoma, Wa. Posts: 1,006	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. __________________ Never trust a man with a castle in his tank. 56g Column \|Aquamaxx HOB-1 Skimmer \|Reef Breeders Photon 24 LED \|850gph Koralia (X2) \| Maxspect Gyre XF130

06/17/2016, 08:04 AM	#7
Moray26 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Ontario Posts: 153	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. __________________ 75 Gallon Mixed Reef, Reef Octopus BH2000, Sumpless, Maxspect Razor 320w Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Mixed Reef Last edited by Moray26; 06/17/2016 at 08:09 AM.

06/16/2016, 10:07 AM	#2
bigfruits Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NOVA Posts: 406	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.

06/16/2016, 10:58 AM	#5
Pooky Barr Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bakersfield, Ca. Posts: 54	Moray26, can I ask what brands you use?

06/17/2016, 08:59 AM	#8
Leyth Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Atlanta Posts: 73	You can also look into AquaClear HOB refugium conversions. Or run two aquaclears, one as fuge and one as media filter.

06/17/2016, 09:13 AM	#9
SFish Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 2,062	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.

06/17/2016, 09:15 AM	#10
fijisrfr Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 594	Here's a 90 gallon cube, no dump, internal tune skimmer & filter Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

06/17/2016, 10:13 AM	#11
carrots Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Mendham, NJ USA Posts: 395	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.

06/17/2016, 12:29 PM	#12
jbvdhp Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,131	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 __________________ This hobby = no more money Current Tank Info: 8' 240 gallons of headache

06/18/2016, 03:33 PM	#13
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	I recommend a canister filter because it has much more filter surface area than a hob filter.

06/18/2016, 04:34 PM	#14
MuShu Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 322	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.

08/17/2018, 04:02 PM	#16
ATATT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 10	Have you considered Tunze multipliers?

08/18/2018, 05:19 AM	#17
saveafish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: indiana Posts: 873	I ran a 120 with two marineland imperial 400 bio filters. Prolly the best hang on filter. __________________ If it was'nt for the sea I could not see or sing ( Jimmy Buffet ) I like to glue animals to rocks and put disturbing amounts of electricity and saltwater next to each other Reefing is'nt how long you been in it. It is how deep you get in it. Current Tank Info: 400g display build, 300g sump, 75g ATO, 75g refug and a few more. Close to a 1000g. 200g mixing station.

08/19/2018, 08:05 AM	#18
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	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.