Soft plumb skimmer to skimmer pump

[cybrook1421]

Hello! I am starting my journey into saltwater with a 75g tank. I will have a 20 long sump. But... I have a problem. I am going to use the Figi sump baffle kit but am having trouble fitting all my equipment in. I bought a Reef Octopus Classic INT150 that just barely does not fit (12.5in skimmer with 12in wide tank). Trying to solve this problem and also have enough room for a refugium, my husband came up with the idea of soft plumbing the skimmer pump into the skimmer and then putting the skimmer pump under the filter socks to save room. We would need to cut the baffle a little, but technically it should work.

Are there any downsides to doing this? Is this even possible? I know I messed up buying the wrong size skimmer, but what's done is done and I can't return it now.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated!

 

[blaxsun]

Myself, I'd sell it and get a skimmer that fits.

 

[sergifed91]

Although I soft plumbed my skimmer to the pump . But I have a lifereef skimmer.