When is a sump not worth the trouble?

[Tinnerito]

Hello, it's been a while since last posting! The single thing that is keeping my 55 gal from going underway is filtration. I realllly wanted a sump, but my tank stand interior is very long, but only 8 inches wide. I can fit about any 5 gal in there comfortably but I want atleast 10 gallons, and theres no tanks 10gal+ that are 8 inches or less in width (otherwise please prove me wrong). Moreover, spending $hundreds on a custom tank is just nit going to happen.

So, I'm considering now just getting another EHEIM 350 canister as I have before, but only as a last resort. I don't like maintaing canister filters, and I hate to think that I'll be sacrificing water volume with a canister. Is it worth the trouble to connect two 5gals with a bulkhead for a sump? Should I just get a canister? Other ideas? Suggestions? Thanks

 

[Saltyreef]

What about another stand? Is it a standard dimension 55g? 8" width seems very narrow for the inside of a 55g stand....

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

What about just getting a hob skimmer, its better than a canister IMO.

 

[Tinnerito]

What about another stand? Is it a standard dimension 55g? 8" width seems very narrow for the inside of a 55g stand....

It's a long story but I have to make do with the stand that I have

 

[Tinnerito]

What about just getting a hob skimmer, its better than a canister IMO.

Those don't filter physical debris though; I'd get a skimmer alongside a form of filtration.

 

[TX_REEF]

a cannister won't fit under your tank if you only have 8 inches of space, right? If your answer is putting the canister outside of the stand, why not put a sump outside of the stand?

If you can't replace or modify the stand, I'd just use oversized HOB filters. Aquaclear is great. https://amzn.to/4haPGmU

 

[mook1178]

If you are just looking for mechanical filtration, I ran a 55 gallon FOWLER with two 110 gallon HOB filters with the mechanical filter provided. Seem to work well enough.