no room for sump but might get an external filter

[sergifed91]

I don't have any room for a sump. but still thinking about a external filter. don't know much about them. but wanna use media for nitrates and phosephates. any suggestion on this? Thank you.

 

[Brittleyak]

A canister filter maybe?
Though people always call them “nitrate factories” lol
I think it’s a good way to implement some different pellet sized media though.

 

[HawaiianReef]

If you dont have room for a sump, I'd suggest hang off back (hob) filtration. If you already have some kind of mechanical filtration like an hob with a slide in cartridge, you can add a hob reactor and put whatever media you'd like. Two little fishies has some nice options and are probably the most popular due to the affordable prices for what you get.

 

[HawaiianReef]

A canister filter maybe?
Though people always call them “nitrate factories” lol
I think it’s a good way to implement some different pellet sized media though.

Oh yeah a canister would be really nice. They have a cleaner look to them and hold a lot more media. The nitrates build up in anything doing mechanical filtration, you need to clean that section out regularly no matter what you use. But a nice canister will have multiple sections for all your needs.

 

[Dom]

I have a sump on one of my setups. But I also have 2 HOB Aquaclear 70s for extra flow (I think power heads are ugly) and use them to run things such as carbon when needed. I would choose an HOB option over a canister, although canister filters are effective if you are disciplined enough to be faithful in your husbandry.

 

[sa6hir]

I did go to abyss in Manchester and their main display tank was run off external filters (eheim) They cleaned them out weekly. I did enquire about nitrates and they didn’t have a problem. Grate looking tank with SPS, LPS & softies... can’t see why you can’t do it.