I do not have a sump in my 10 gal long. Is this okay?

[HaiFish]

Do i need a sump? I have a filter and a heater right next to it. It's not as aesthetically pleasing as a sump but will it still work?

 

[Marquarium]

Many people use canister filters and HOB filters with great success even in large systems. You don't need a sump by any means. It's nice, like you said, to be able to hide equipment and in larger systems you can fit more equipment in the sump.

 

[Cell]

If you have a separate tank connected to your display that houses equipment, you have a sump. If you have one single container with livestock and equipment all together, you have no sump. Either way works, sumps just allow for more space for equipment and hides it away.