Skimmer help

[legacy2mj]

im currently in the process of building my sump for my 92 gal corner tank. After I put my micron filter holder on the first chamber the remaining space is very limited. Does anybody have a recommendation of a skinny low profile skimmer? Or should I be looking more towards a HOB skimmer for the sump?
The demensions I'm dealing with are not the issue at the bottom of the sump tank but at the top. It's about a 4X4 inch area... And that's squeezing it in there.

 

[CodyRVA]

What size sump is this?

 

[sc50964]

You got a tough one here. If you can somehow find 1.5" on the top or if the height of the following skimmer allows more head room, then the following skimmer may fit.

 

[legacy2mj]

You got a tough one here. If you can somehow find 1.5" on the top or if the height of the following skimmer allows more head room, then the following skimmer may fit.

The area above the sump isn't the problem, I have plenty of room there, it's just clearing the micron bag holder right at the top of the sump tank. This looks like it might work. Here's a picture of the room I'm working with. The piece of metal in the picture is just supporting the bag holder from leaning forward.

 

[legacy2mj]

It's a 24 gal sump

 

[ngvu1]

If you want to use a HOB skimmer, make sure the water surface is 4inches or less away from the sump rim.

 

[legacy2mj]

If you want to use a HOB skimmer, make sure the water surface is 4inches or less away from the sump rim.

Do you think with my limited space inside the sump I would bennifit more from a HOB? I'm just trying to get the best skimmer with the limited space I have.

 

[sc50964]

In addition to HOB, you should also consider external skimmer.

 

[legacy2mj]

In addition to HOB, you should also consider external skimmer.

Ok. What are some examples?

 

[BoneXriffic]

http://m.marinedepot.com/products/cv5131/reef-octopus-classic-ext-recirculating-protein-skimmer

Example of external...not cheap

 

[ngvu1]

It depends on your setup. Might not be possible to have a HOB skimmer in you case.
with the space you have now I don't think you can use any decent in sump skimmer...

Do you think with my limited space inside the sump I would bennifit more from a HOB? I'm just trying to get the best skimmer with the limited space I have.

 

[Irsug1]

Go external if space is an issue

 

[legacy2mj]

Go external if space is an issue

Ok! It seems like this is my best option

 

[sc50964]

Ok! It seems like this is my best option

Need a good and powerful external pump and an appropriately sized skimmer for your setup. You will also need to either drill a hole on your sump, if the sump doesn't have one already, to connect to the external pump and skimmer, or you will need to do some additional plumbing to go over the sump height. Either way, you got some re-plumbing to do.

 

[legacy2mj]

Need a good and powerful external pump and an appropriately sized skimmer for your setup. You will also need to either drill a hole on your sump, if the sump doesn't have one already, to connect to the external pump and skimmer, or you will need to do some additional plumbing to go over the sump height. Either way, you got some re-plumbing to do.

The cycle will have already begun by the time I land on the right skimmer so I will have to plumb it over the top. The skimmer won't come with a pump already? I figured it would

 

[sc50964]

The cycle will have already begun by the time I land on the right skimmer so I will have to plumb it over the top. The skimmer won't come with a pump already? I figured it would

Most do have their dedicated pump that's designed to provide the right gph to run the skimmer but that's rated with straight plumbing. In your case, the pump will not be enough since it has to pull water that clears the sump height and that's a lot of head loss.