chuck

If you mean to cycle the tank sure you can you dont even really need a filter for that just water movement. The question is kind of vague tho Chuck should be alittle more specific to get a better answer I could go into 100s of different scenarios but I hate to type and if I did type that much my spell checker would probably blow up :P

Sorry DJ i did not type what my brain was trying to process I was trying to ask if they are effective as filtration if you are not able to use a sump as in the case of a nano cube.

Yea I have run salt tanks with hob filters before its not optimal but you just have to adjust your maintenance accordingly. The thing that is going to suck is cleaning that thing because upkeep on it is going to be key. They make some decent hob all-in-one units reef octopus and cpr. If your not going to run a sump you should probably read about the berlin style setups or remember you can make a all in one tank with a compartment in the tank to house a small nano skimmer and return pump and mechanical and chemical media. Long term, I can say from past experience, you would not be happy with a canister filter for salt they are a real pita to keep up. Man I get long winded If i was not going to use a sump I would make a all-in-one tank I probably could have just said that

lol DJ that is what I was afraid of .... not worth the trouble. I will look into the in tank setup or just buy one of the Oceanic BioCubes and be done with it