“Sump Skimmer”

StPatrick89 · May 24, 2021

Can I place a skimmer inside a 10gallon tank and bring the water up to the level it’s supposed to be in my “acting sump” and not put anything else in there? So just skimmer and nothing else? I’m asking because I’ve never seen this before.

BeltedCoyote · May 24, 2021

Yeah, you can. Will the 10g be plumbed into your main system?

main reason why you probably haven’t seen this is if you have a sump that could accommodate a skimmer, it would be a lot more work to set up a separate tank solely for a skimmer, plumb it in, etc.

but if done right I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Just going to need to make sure that there’s enough water going through the aforementioned 10g for the skimmer to properly filter out all the organics from the system

G Santana · May 24, 2021

You can put anything in a sump, as long as it fits.
I have a 30 gallon long with 8" of water for my skimmer. You would be doing the same but in a 10 gallon!!!

monkeyCmonkeyDo · May 24, 2021

Ebay and amazon sell kits. With plastic sheets ect for.turning regular tanks into.sump tanks
D

StPatrick89 · May 24, 2021

BeltedCoyote said:
Yeah, you can. Will the 10g be plumbed into your main system?

main reason why you probably haven’t seen this is if you have a sump that could accommodate a skimmer, it would be a lot more work to set up a separate tank solely for a skimmer, plumb it in, etc.

but if done right I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. Just going to need to make sure that there’s enough water going through the aforementioned 10g for the skimmer to properly filter out all the organics from the system

Eh, idk about plumbed in, I should be able to grab some pipes right.

BeltedCoyote · May 24, 2021

StPatrick89 said:
Eh, idk about plumbed in, I should be able to grab some pipes right.

Well yeah, but what’s the layout with this tank va your system?

StPatrick89 · May 24, 2021

BeltedCoyote said:
Well yeah, but what’s the layout with this tank va your system?

So I’m a newbie so forgive ignorant thoughts. I’m thinking if I have this thought out right. 10g tank underneath my 75g tank. I saw a skimmer that needs 8” of water in the “sump”. A 10g is 12” high. Place skimmer in “sump”/10g tank and run a hose or pipes up to the back of the tank. Is this correct?

Gtinnel · May 24, 2021

You will need to have an overflow on your tank to feed water to the "sump" and then a pump in the "sump" to pump water back to the tank.

The issue is without baffles the water level in the sump with the skimmer will fluctuate (which most skimmers do not like) as water evaporates so you will need to top of regularly to keep the water level somewhat consistent (or even better use an ATO).

The other issue is with an overflow on the tank is that there is extra water that drains from the tank to the sump if the return pump is turned off, so you have to make sure you have room in the sump to accommodate the extra water.

Setting up what you are suggesting is adding a sump to the tank and I'd reccomend if you are going to do it use a bigger tank and add some baffles. You can do it for cheap.

Jekyl · May 24, 2021

Just get a HoB skimmer instead. Problem solved.

StPatrick89 · May 24, 2021

Jekyl said:
Just get a HoB skimmer instead. Problem solved.

I really don’t wNt nothing hanging on the back. ThTs why I got rid of my hob filter, and with protein skimmers those cups when they get filled are a sight for sore eyes

Jekyl · May 24, 2021

StPatrick89 said:
I really don’t wNt nothing hanging on the back. ThTs why I got rid of my hob filter

Then the only option is to empty your tank, drill it, and refill. Without drilling you at minimum would have to use a HoB overflow to feed your sump.

StPatrick89 · May 24, 2021

Gtinnel said:
You will need to have an overflow on your tank to feed water to the "sump" and then a pump in the "sump" to pump water back to the tank.

The issue is without baffles the water level in the sump with the skimmer will fluctuate (which most skimmers do not like) as water evaporates so you will need to top of regularly to keep the water level somewhat consistent (or even better use an ATO).

The other issue is with an overflow on the tank is that there is extra water that drains from the tank to the sump if the return pump is turned off, so you have to make sure you have room in the sump to accommodate the extra water.

Setting up what you are suggesting is adding a sump to the tank and I'd reccomend if you are going to do it use a bigger tank and add some baffles. You can do it for cheap.

Sheesh, sounds like a headache.

Gtinnel · May 24, 2021

StPatrick89 said:
I really don’t wNt nothing hanging on the back. ThTs why I got rid of my hob filter, and with protein skimmers those cups when they get filled are a sight for sore eyes

Are you able and willing to drill holes in the tank?

Gtinnel · May 24, 2021

Jekyl said:
Then the only option is to empty your tank, drill it, and refill. Without drilling you at minimum would have to use a HoB overflow to feed your sump.

Ah you beat me to it. Lol

StPatrick89 · May 24, 2021

Jekyl said:
Then the only option is to empty your tank, drill it, and refill. Without drilling you at minimum would have to use a HoB overflow to feed your sump.

Sheesh, I guess I’m better off having the hob and building a canopy

Gtinnel · May 24, 2021

StPatrick89 said:
Sheesh, I guess I’m better off having the hob and building a canopy

Hooking up a sump isn't hard, but it's harder if your tank doesn't already have an overflow (I'm assuming yours doesn't). Thats made even harder if it's already filled with animals in it. To make it easier you can use a hob overflow, but those have fell out of favor in the hobby and IMO for good reason. If they lose siphon (which in theory shouldn't happen) they will overflow your tank with the water from your sump.

Adding a sump to put a skimmer in isn't as easy as I believe you thought it was. If you're going to do it at least make the sump big enough that you can use it for more than a skimmer. If not willing to properly add a sump my suggestion would also be to just use a hob skimmer.

StPatrick89 · May 24, 2021

Gtinnel said:
Hooking up a sump isn't hard, but it's harder if your tank doesn't already have an overflow (I'm assuming yours doesn't). Thats made even harder if it's already filled with animals in it. To make it easier you can use a hob overflow, but those have fell out of favor in the hobby and IMO for good reason. If they lose siphon (which in theory shouldn't happen) they will overflow your tank with the water from your sump.

Adding a sump to put a skimmer in isn't as easy as I believe you though it was. If you're going to do it at least make the sump big enough that you can use it for more than a skimmer. If not willing to properly add a sump my suggestion would also be to just use a hob skimmer.

Any suggestions for a good hob skimmer? I assume would have to be double the tank size correct? 75g