Considering upgrade and going sumpless

[ponokareefer]

Seems I need a minimum 1/2 inch glass for this size of tank if I definitely don't want top cross bracing, and the Tunze skimmer and filter I was to use can only be used up to 3/8 inch thick glass. I guess that throws a wrench into this idea.

[corpusse]

Why not get a tank with an external overflow if you dislike internal?

To me a sumpless tank is a downgrade not an upgrade.

[Aquattro]

I'd guess you need thicker than 1/2" if you want no bracing at all!

Overflow boxes can be very small, or don't use one at all. Just have a single pipe plumbed through the upper back. Less unsightly than equipment hanging off the back.
Use filter socks to keep the sump clean.

My system is virtually silent, no sound of water at all. This is using a durso style pipe.
Gas exchange can be handled fine without a sump, but it does help.
Plumbing is hidden and honestly, if it's set up properly, it's never going to leak.

Lots of people run without it, but personally, I would never even consider it. My tank is clean, quiet and has no gear visible. I couldn't handle heaters and skimmers all hanging in the tank.

[whatcaneyedo]

Perhaps something has recently been introduced to the market but I have never seem a hang on skimmer that was anywhere near as good as the majority of in-sump and external skimmers available. That is my main issue with sump-less. I'll admit I haven't gotten a good look at many Tunzes but their low popularity concerns me. The other is that without something like an overflow drain providing surface skimming an oily protein/bacterial film tends to form on the surface of the water. Oh and I hate power-heads. Absolutely hate looking at them in a display tank. At the moment a large return pump allows me avoid them, later it will be that return pump and a closed loop system.