Protein skimmer hidden w/ sumpless setup?

[CaliCO]

Hi,
So Im running a 29 gallon reef tank with a fluval 307 canister filter (due to space and location) and Ive been thinking about a protein skimmer to help with nitrates. I do weekly maintenance on my canister and I'm running filter floss, polishing pad, and 2 levels of seachem matrix. I currently don't have a nitrate problem because I only have one fish but Im just planning ahead for the future. I really don't want a HOB skimmer where I can see the gunk buildup all visible because my tank is in my living room and I like a clean aesthetic. Is there a way to route my canister filter to an external skimmer somehow so I can stash it away next to my canister? Any tips or skimmer ideas are appreciated!

 

[scabbedwings616]

I have a 29g with a sump and have a hob skimmer on it. I like it and it’s a talking piece for me As mines in my living room too. Someday soon I’ll get a real skimmer for that tank. it’s hard to run a skimmer off the return pump.

 

[Trylobyte]

The only way I could even wrap my head around trying that is

• Water goes through intake to canister filter
• Water exits output of canister filter into a modified skimmer intake (braided vinyl hose attached before air intake?)
• Would skimmer pump with needle wheel burn out from this?
• Water exits skimmer through modified output (braided vinyl hose to return nozzle/spray bar?)

I just don't see there being enough flow from either the protein skimmer or canister filter to go through both processes then lead back up to tank. I also think that most of stuff the protein skimmer would be beneficial for will get stuck in the canister filter and never make it to the skimmer. I have a reef octo classic HOB on my 50 so I know what you mean by eyesore. Hopefully more innovative minds will be able to chime in on this.

 

[DSEKULA]

I don't think I'd run the skimmer off the same pump I could see issues if more or less resistance was in the filter with build up etc changing flow to the skimmer. Why not toss a small bit of something in the canister, a small bag of chemipure comes to mind personally but I'm sure others could make suggestions. KISS and all that, if you keep up with the canister it could work and not add anything unsightly.

 

[fcmatt]

Bigger water changes more often will handle any nitrate problem in such a small tank. 5 to 10 gallons per week would knock it down to normal mighty fast if you don't overstock and feed a ton assuming nitrates went higher.

 

[Trylobyte]

I don't think I'd run the skimmer off the same pump I could see issues if more or less resistance was in the filter with build up etc changing flow to the skimmer. Why not toss a small bit of something in the canister, a small bag of chemipure comes to mind personally but I'm sure others could make suggestions. KISS and all that, if you keep up with the canister it could work and not add anything unsightly.

I don't think it would even be possible to run off the same pump though would it? I mean wouldn't he still need the "needle wheel" in the skimmer pump to actually create the foam needed and not just large bubbles? That's what concerned me about the skimmer pump burning out as the canister filter would be trying to push in water faster or slower than the needle wheel would be trying to take in.

 

[CaliCO]

Yeah I could add some chemipure or something as well. I just like the idea of having a skimmer vs replacing bags. I think the way to do a skimmer like Im describing would be to set it up separate from my canister all together... different pumps, intakes and returns.. probably more trouble and cost than its worth. I do weekly water changes so I should be good I think. If I really want one, I'll probably just go HOB.