other filtration options rather than having a sump

[flobup]

starting my saltwater aquarium up and would like to know other filtration options than having a sump, my tank isn't drilled and is unfortunately temp glass so I cant drill it. im gone most weekends in the summer and afraid to get a HOB overflow box because of all the flooding horror stories ive read. what kind of filtration would you recommend I go with? thanks!

 

[JoshH]

There are plenty of Hang On Back options filtration wise, these include your standard media filters (Aqua clear, Tidal, marineland bio wheels and so on) as well as Refugiums from CPR Aquatics and HOB skimmers from reef octopus and Aquamaxx. FWIW if you do a little digging you will find endless success stories from Lifereef HOB overflows (Good luck finding a failure story). Eshopps are another good option that follow the same design.

 

[Matt Carden]

You could design you own internal chamber

 

[SDK]

I've been using HOB filters and overflows for 40 + years, dating back to the Supreme Aquaking days and have never had anything worse than a motor sticking. Not sure about the horror stories, but take them with a grain of salt...

If a sump is out, don't dismiss the many good HOB options. I prefer them to canisters for marine tanks because swapping media and keeping them clean is quicker and easier. If you want a sump, a quality HOB overflow should work fine...

 

[Retro Reefer]

Anybody that has had a HOB overflow fail most likely didn’t know what they where doing.. have used them on most of my tanks over the last several decades without issue.

 

[flobup]

thanks for the reply’s ! makes me feel more confident in getting a sump, was just concerned about a power outage while I’m out of town. what HOB overflows do you all use with success?

 

[Retro Reefer]

I have used lifereef in the past and currently use a eshopps, love the design and quality of them for the price.. got a heck of a deal on this one for like $45 delivered which I’m running on my new build.

 

[beaslbob]

starting my saltwater aquarium up and would like to know other filtration options than having a sump, my tank isn't drilled and is unfortunately temp glass so I cant drill it. im gone most weekends in the summer and afraid to get a HOB overflow box because of all the flooding horror stories ive read. what kind of filtration would you recommend I go with? thanks!

If you use an in tank refugium with macro algaes that could be all the filtration you need.


FWIW HOB overflows can be made with $20 of pvc and just as reliable as drilled tanks.

With either you do need to test to insure:

1) no flood power out.
2) normal operation returns when the power returns
3) (and the one I forgot LOL) with drain failure (siphon break, blockage or whatever) the sump runs dry before the display floods.

my .02