External Protein Skimmer

[BrokeReefer]

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? :/

 

[Tumey]

Hello,
Check out the Lifereef website. You should be able to work with them on a custom made external skimmer. Just an option to look in to.
http://www.lifereef.com/venturi.html
Tumey

 

[ENVY]

Aquac Ev-120 is 18 inches height. You can use it external or in sump. Hope this helps!

 

[rainmaker]

What size tank do you have and are you looking for a hang on skimmer if you don't have a sump?

 

[BrokeReefer]

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.

 

[rainmaker]

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

 

[vetteguy53081]

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

 

[rainmaker]

I’ve use the Sro 5000 external replaced it with a Diablo 250 external with the varios6

 

[vetteguy53081]

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

 

[rainmaker]

Yes like both using the Diablo now the Sro 5000 is in box in storage same collection cups so spare parts

 

[BrokeReefer]

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.

 

[rainmaker]

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

 

[rainmaker]

How many inch’s do you have between top of tank and the glass top?

 

[BrokeReefer]

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.

 

[Fin]

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¢.

 

[rainmaker]

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

 

[BrokeReefer]

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.