Protein skimmer

[MikeyinTX]

Any recommends for a protein skimmer that doesn't need a sump and would preferably not hang off the back of the tank?

It's a 55 gallon tank, but I plan to upgrade so I'd probably go with one that can handle around 100...

 

[mcarroll]

Tunze 9004 or 9012 are magnetically mounted in the tank.

 

[MikeyinTX]

I've been doing a bunch of research and have come up with an idea, but can't seem to find anything as to if it would work other than in my head.

I was thinking of purchasing an in-sump skimmer, but plumbing it directly to the tank much like a canister filter.

Thoughts?

 

[bobman]

No that will not work it will cause the skimmer to overflow. IF you go that route you might as well add a sump. Even if it is a small one with just a single baffle to regulate the water level for the skimmer. Another option would be a reef octopus bh-50 that sits in the tank or the above ones. Honestly if you dont want a sump I would go the hang on back route so you dont have a skimmer sitting in plain view in the tank.

 

[reef_junkie]

There are plenty of external skimmers, life reef has a whole product line of them. Just needs a pump and return in the tank.

 

[MikeyinTX]

Thanks!

Basically, my issues are that I can't find a hang on the back that will fit with how the tank is currently set up, I don't want more stuff in the tank, and the way the stand is, there's not enough room for a sump.

However, I didn't think of a small sump. Basically, what you're saying is just something big enough for the skimmer.

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

How much space behind the tank do you have for a skimmer?

 

[MikeyinTX]

It's backed up to my kitchen Island. So about 2", but from the rim to the counter top is about 10"

 

[bobman]

There are plenty of external skimmers, life reef has a whole product line of them. Just needs a pump and return in the tank.

I know they have a whole line of external skimmers but unless it is level with the water line in the tank you still need a sump. The pump pumping the water up to the tank raises the water level in the skimmer and will cause it to overflow. I have run external skimmers on all my tanks with all of them plumbed to my overflow on the tank. You can not run a skimmer like a canister filter (at least none I am aware of) by hooking it to an overflow then connecting a return pump to the output of the skimmer. It will overflow I can guarantee you that. Also even if it were possible as soon as you cut the power off and you get backflow from the plumbing would overflow the skimmer as it can hold that much extra water with no where to put it. Most of us that run external skimmers do so by either attaching it to the overflow and the output of the skimmer runs to a sump or they have a feed pump in the sump feeding the skimmer with the output flowing back into the sump. This is so we can run a bigger skimmer than can fit in the stand or to have more room in the sump by not having the skimmer in there (both in my case).

 

[bobman]

You might be able to fit a reef octo bh 1000. Or you might to eat you Wheaties when doing a water change and try move nodge the tank and inch. I would remove some rocks though before doing that so you dont have a rock slide.

 

[Battlecorals Verified Sponsor]

It's backed up to my kitchen Island. So about 2", but from the rim to the counter top is about 10"

Going to send you a pm in a few

 

[MikeyinTX]

I want a Sump, but am nervous about overflow since I am in an apartment. Also the stand I have isn't really built for having a sump. I get what you're saying bowman. Didn't think about that.

 

[bobman]

Most 55 gals are tempered so drilling (your safest bet) may not be an option. But I would test it to be sure. If not there are the hob type overflows but again if you dont have the room for a hob skimmer you wont have the room for a hob overflow. Might not even have the room for plumbing if you did drill the tank. IMO your best bet would be to move the tank a inch or 2 to be able to fit a hob skimmer.

 

[MikeyinTX]

Here's where I'm at currently...

I'm going to explore doing a sump when I get off work in a few hours. If. I can find one that will fit, it's a done deal and I'll just get another leak detector and put it in the sump mounted above the normal water line to give me extra warning if there is a pump failure.

If that won't work I'm going to direct plumb a skimmer to the tank and put it on the kitchen counter. Basically the same as if I was plumbing it to an overflow, but direct to the tank.

I think I can get a small sump to work though.

 

[bobman]

Either will work just fine. I will caution you on the leak detector in the sump just above the water line. I tried that and the sump will have bubbles that pop and stuff like that the leak detector will go nuts. Better to have it on the ground outside the sump

 

[MikeyinTX]

Is a 5 gal aquarium too small for a sump for a 55gal tank?

 

[bobman]

Any sump is better than no sump. You should be able to get a decent skimmer in there with a baffle then return pump

 

[MikeyinTX]

Well, after all the feedback, some research and advice from good ol dad... I'm going to a sump.

It's going to involve modifying the stand, but it's a pretty easy mod so I can do it in the apartment with the tank still on it.