3ft shallow AIO, backsump or sidesump?

[foxngn]

Hi All,

I intended to custom-made a shallow tank, most likely the size gonna be 90"x 18" x 14". I don't want to utilise a sump tank anymore.
Thus want to get some opinion, if i do a side sump, which will limited some space for filtration but will have more swimming space for fishes, or should i sacrifice the width of the tank by allowing more filtration media?
I guess my another option if i were to have a backsump, i need to increase the width of the tank to 20" width
My plan was to just kept some fairy/flasher wrasse for fish stock, at least for now I'm counting about 6 - 7 fishes will be added.
Does I really needed to have so much of filtration space?

 

[OctaviusBrine]

Always better to have more than not enough if you ask me. Especially if you’re not going to run a sump. Who knows what you may want to do in the future. You may regret not getting a big enough compartment to put equipment or filtration in. IMO