External Protein Skimmer

BrokeReefer

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I have a unique tank situation thats hard to explain, but my tank equipment space is very very limited. a sump is out of the question, but I do want to get a protein skimmer so I am interested in an external setup. After searching for quite some time, I have not been able to find an external skimmer that is 18" tall or shorter, and this is ALL the hight I have to work with. Does anyone know of a rig that I am missing or have yet to find? :/
 
Aquac Ev-120 is 18 inches height. You can use it external or in sump. Hope this helps!
 
What size tank do you have and are you looking for a hang on skimmer if you don't have a sump?
 
thank you for the responses.
My tank is 65 gallons and I am not looking for a HOB. That also in my situation is out of the question.
 
No sump right?
If no sump u won’t be able to run a external skimmer.It would have to be above water level in sump or tank to allow it to drain back
 
All I use are EXT units and had the monster Reef Octopus 5000EXT which was massive, and replaced it with a smaller Reef Octopus EXT
 
I’ve use the Sro 5000 external replaced it with a Diablo 250 external with the varios6
 
I’ve use the Sro 5000 external replaced it with a Diablo 250 external with the varios6

My big one was diablo with varios. Easy to maintain and super quiet
 
Yes like both using the Diablo now the Sro 5000 is in box in storage same collection cups so spare parts
 
Thanks again for the responses. After further research and talking with Jeff at Lifereef, it seems my particular setup has left me in a way where I can't use the protein skimmer. Just like you said Rainmaker also... the lack of sump leaves me stranded with a canister filter. Im Fresh into this hobby and I would be open to any advice and good council about the best ways to maintain and keep my tank thriving.

I thought it would be interesting to build a aquascape fish tank into a coffee table, so I did. and I set myself up with a 65 gallon tank and a API filter xp L canister filter. I built the table with a little compartment to house my filter and the other electrical components but after I got the table built and brought it home, I went to see my brother in laws reef nano tank. I didn't want to do fresh water anymore. Went and got 45lbs of live rock and some live sand and started to cycle a saltwater tank instead. Set up a rodi station at my house and started mixing water so I didn't have to keep running to the shop when I needed to make changes. The tank cycled in 5 weeks and then I started adding a few things. Im now 3 months into it and I realize how many things I should have done different, but now I just want to make the best of this and hopefully have a proper functioning tank with naturally as low maintenance as possible. I seem to change between 20-25 gallons a week right now in 5 gallon portions. I clean the filter regularly (every 2 weeks or 3 weeks), and I'm just looking to improve the tanks overall quality and lower nitrates from 40-50 ppm. I was looking at a korallin BioDenitrator, but I am open to being told otherwise. Any and all advice, Id be open to hear.

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It can be done with a canister filter, in tanks I’ve had in past I’ve used hangon filters and canister. Most recent was a 40 breeder used a canister on. Just keep up with water changes an clean filter often and have good flow in tank
 
roughly 5"
But the glass is easily removed as it is not very heavy. I take it off with my wife every time I clean and make a water change. If I'm just scrubbing the glass with the magnet scrubber or feeding the tank, it doesn't need to come off.
Do you have any recommendations for how I should set up media in my canister? I currently have two course sponges at the bottom, followed by Biomax media, then carbon, then purigen, then carbon again and a fine micro filter at the top.
 
To me, a support system for that tank would be more important than magazine / book storage. I would take that shelf out of the back and put a sump in that space. Make a removable wooden panel (attach with magnets) to match the coffee table to conceal it. Add a refugium or an algae turf scrubber and a skimmer would not be needed. I would ditch the canister filter altogether. Just my 2¢.
 
What you have in there sounds good
But what Fin says is a good idea,measure your space and see what size sump you could but there
 
Ive considered that Fin. I just dodnt want to break the bank, but maybe I should go that direction. Building a nice set of doors is no problem to close the area up, and I can do that, but I guess I was hoping to fall on that as a absolute last hope (even though I now know its the more ideal setup). If it was possible to improve on what I have in a simple way, or less full blown revamping this arrangement, naturally I would prefer it. The space I would be willing to possibly lose in the book shelf is 21" wide x 12" deep. The hight of the opening is exactly 18 1/2" tall. If I do change the opening, I'm not going to close it all the way. My wife likes the book shelf and so do I.
 

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