What will happen if i don't have a sump for 3 ft tank?

[Dreams]

I've bought a 3ft x1.5 tank without a sump. But with 3 T8 lighting and a Top filter. This tank is for marine fishes like clownfish and some lps corals.

But i dont think the tank is able to have a sump. What am i suppose to do? Will i still be able to keep marine fish and lps corals without a sump?

Is it necessary to buy a Deltec protein skimmer or a canister filter to make up for the sump? pls advise !!

Thanks in advance.

[artxakis]

im not sure abt other but for my first tank is same 3ft tank by 18inches straight from lfs bcos my wife wanted to keep nemo. i used canister filter stuffed it with floss and carbon no problem for a while even can keep palys with cheap aquatronic t5. but fish only setup. i think its hard to get away without a sump with corals

[DerrickLim]

I had a similar issue with same size tank. Tried canister with hang on protein skimmer.

In the end, I bought a 2 ft sump and DIY PVC overflow.

[DerrickLim]

Forgot to mention that the main motivation to convert to sump is the unsightly equipment in the tank. Hate the idea of pumps visible in main tank.