Non skimmer filter?

This is new to me.. I saw a filter/sump that is all in one box. It has multiple levels of filtration. It causes microbubbles inside it without a skimmer.. Which overflow into the blue air trap balls, etc. I didnt understand it until I went to visit Gtank120 yesterday and he had one rocking on his 110G and it was doing great.

My LFS has one for $129.. most people I see have skimmers. Just trying to understand this. If this will successfully run my tank like it does Gtanks this would be a cheaper way to go. Now I know those with skimmers will of course tell me to run a skimmer, etc. Honestly, will this run and filter my tank well? It is rated for up to 80G. It looks interesting.. and will get me to my goal of water in my 75 a lot faster.

 

might have put this in the wrong forum.. oh well.. bump! LOL

 

Guess this would be a wet/dry filter... this is all new to me.

 

It sounds like a wet/dry, but i always thought they were trickle filters?? Well if you go for it, there is nothing stopping you from using a skimmer aswell.

 

My buddy rocks a wicked one on his 110.. all he has in it is a return pump. He took the lid off and microbubbles started spilling out out of the box. Its crazy. I have never seen anyone use one before. Check my other post about them. Now that I realize what they are I posted it in the right forum. Will let this post die or can delete it mods.

 

Assuming you are referring to the canister filter? Yes, you can run with a canister and without a skimmer but the canister filter itself is going to need cleaning more often and they often end up producing more nitrates than the system can get rid of.