Absolutely you can use just the pump. Water will be filtered as it runs through the substrate. You can add an additional submersible filter, just remember to build an access for it for maintenance. The same also goes for the pump.

You don't really need a misting system or fogger. You can do like I do, hand mist every day.

If you are going to do a 36Wx18Dx24H, then I would say have the doors made to be no smaller than 16". That gives you 6" at the bottom for water supply, 16" of doors and an extra 2" to play with.

And you know you want a sump!! Lol


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