125g filtration & setup thoughts

[Fish Tank Travis]

Not that I don’t want a sump, actually never used one before though, but was just trying to be Efficient with what I already have at home. Think a sump would be a better option that the above set up?

I think a sump will definitely work out better. You can be pretty economical with it also, provided you use a used tank from Craigslist or a dollar per gallon sale. You don’t need baffles, so you can just use filter sock hangers and then throw your bio media in with a powerhead or two to help aim it at the media. Then, the most expensive part will probably be the return pump. I recommend you go with two smaller pumps instead of one big one. I really like my Jebao DCP Pumps. You would probably be good with two of the 5000’s, but I’d recommend you get two of the 8000’s and turn them down.

Is your tank drilled for overflows?