Is it possible to have a successful reef tank without a sump?

[KrisReef]

Hello,
my tank has been running for 4 years now 65 gal. I have never gotten it to be under control EVER. It's always hair algae and high nitrates, I'm constantly trying to lower them however recently I've started doing 15 gal water changes. I've always run an HOB filter no skimmer no scrubber no refgugium. But that's all going to change. I'm ordering an icecap k-50 Seachem matrix purigen marineland floss and pure blue carbon then I will put some red macro algae into my filter with a light on it I am taking reccomendations for that. Is it possible for me to get successful with a HOB? Or do I have to switch to sump? Post pictures and explain your filter media if you are successful with HOB.

This will be interesting to see how it turns out.

Maybe start a tank log, or whatever they call that now? USed to be a build thread and I think your effort could be documented to the benefit of others, win or lose!

Hoping for the win!

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

Those are the tanks of someone with experience

And dedication

Thank you, dedication is a must for anything you want to take care of. I don't know about the experience part lol. My approach is simple. Weekly 100 percent water changes and feed food that doesn't foul up the water clean everything including sand. Sand is a hard thing for me. I have only had success bare bottom so I'm still learning with this one.