Which would be the best filter

My cat broke my sump.... bugger. anyways I cant afford a new sump (YAY)...
I have a 20 gallon standard nano reef, which would be the better filter for hang on back
Aquaclear
FLuval C3-C4
Or Marineland Emperor
Ideally I would love to have a sump, but knowing my cat, I would rather not risk it again I have a hob protein skimmer as well

 

id say probably marineland emperor for good+cost effective but fluval is probably #1 out of what you have listed...you could also try a hob fuge....but if you cant afford a sump why not check out CL for some cheap tanks or someone giving one away and make it into a sump or even just use a 5 gallon bucket or rubbermaid tupperware?

 

Marineland's are awful for SW. Something about the water really lessons their lifespan a lot. They are also noisy and if the pump goes you have to buy a whole new filter instead of just a new pump with the hagen stuff. I would go with the C4 or the aquaclear 50.

 

I would go with neither. With enough LIve Rock in the system and a big enough skimmer, you don't need a filter. They will in the long run, cause you trouble with Nitrates.

 

Yeah I've heard that before, but I replace my cartridges regularly on all my tanks, for that reason. and also I'd feel a bit safer with one, on top of not having enough flow with out it

 

I have an aqua clear 30 on mine... atm, it has a mangrove in it, i may add some chaeto again to it.. I have the right light to grow it now.

 

thanks I think I might do an aquaclear, anyone tried the fluvals?

 

I agree fully. Mechanical filters in general for sw are a bad idea. They can't handle the harsh environment regardless what the mfg claims.

You said your sump broke. What part? If it's the sump itself a regular 5 or 10 gal tank will do the trick. Install a few baffles and you'll have a great sump.

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the tank itself broke, and I dont feel like going through the trouble to have my cat break it again. its only a 20 gallon reef so I think I will go HOB