[Max]

Ive been looking at all the skimmers available and I really want one that sits under the tank in the cabinet out of sight. Ive seen nice ones for sale and even a few I could build but I dont have an overflow and dont plan on drilling my tank and Im having trouble picturing how I can bring the water out of my tank into the skimmer and back into my tank with out pumping it both ways.
Or is that the only way?

Currently I am getting a fair amount of surface scum and that is a problem to.

Im new so take pitty if these are easy to fix and if so please help

[Poseidon]

Hey Max Welcome to Reefland!!!

I would have to point you to a Hang On skimmer. Without an overflow or sump, your options are very limited. Look at Aqua C and CPR Bakpak, they are both somewhat loud, but very effective.

[Reefland]

Hi Max, Welcome to Reefland!

Poseidon is correct, there is no way to hook up a skimmer externally without a sump. That only leaves you with the HOT models that are available, any of which are going to give you, at least to some degree, problems with micro bubbles.

[Max]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

Hey Max Welcome to Reefland!!!

I would have to point you to a Hang On skimmer. Without an overflow or sump, your options are very limited. Look at Aqua C and CPR Bakpak, they are both somewhat loud, but very effective.

Thanks for the welcome, You people are great!!

My tank is a corner tank and only as a LAST resort do I want to have a hang on.
Should I drill it? or Is there a way to create a sump undernieth with the skimmer in it or inline with it? Ive been racking my brain trying to come up with a way but as of yet none have come to me beside a 2 way pumping and that dosent seem very good since if not working perfectly at all times with both pumps running at the exact same rate it would be problematic.


Ill try anything !!!!

[Max]

Like I said, my tank is a corner tank so it makes my lighting a self made unit because of the size so Im going to make a nice size dome on top to house my 250w MH. I have been thinking about putting the skimmer up on top of the tank and that may work ok but it will be very hard to get at once in place...is the only thing i can think of...pump it up run it through the skimmer and let gravity bring it back to the tank.

[Poseidon]

Sorry Bud, anything in in cabinet without a sump would be a huge risk... Cause the pump you use to drive the skimmer would empty your main tank if the return pump ever failed. And getting the 2 pumps to match would be very difficult in itself, since one pump is Gravity assisted and the other working against gravity. I wouldn't risk it myself. I have had excellent luck with my overflow, but if you can get your tank drilled that would be much better!

[Reefland]

I would strongly suggest using an external overflow and connecting a sump to your system if you do not want a HOT skimmer. In fact, it is the only way to do it. Drilling tanks can be done but obviously you would have to emtpy the tank and then it's difficult to find someone to drill it and insure the tank if it cracks during the process.

[SPC Ray]

Hang on overflows may be too bulky for you too, if you don't want a HOT skimmer... I'd get it drilled.

[Max]

Originally Posted by SPC Ray

Hang on overflows may be too bulky for you too, if you don't want a HOT skimmer... I'd get it drilled.

Yea Im looking into doing just that. I saw that the drill for a 3/4" diamond hole saw is only 30 bucks so I may just drill it.

I did have an idea that would remove the drilling option, I was thinking about taking 2" strips of plexiglass and raising the rim of my tank. I could put the hole
in the extended 2" and with my custom hood you would never see it.
Dont think I would have gotten another tank had I thought about it before hand but it definetly is a prroblem...

I am going to buy the diamond drill for future tanks though so ill have it.
30 bucks it a no brainer

[Samper]

30 bucks seems steep. An lfs near me only charges 6 bucks.

[Max]

Originally Posted by Samper

30 bucks seems steep. An lfs near me only charges 6 bucks.

6 bucks to drill it or 6 bucks for the bit to drill it your self?

[Samper]

6 bucks per hole drilled.........It takes a while to drill a hole in a tank and to do it right you need a drill press IMO. 6 bucks isn't bad.

[Reefland]

I think he is saying that he found the drill bit for $30, which is a good price.

[Max]

Originally Posted by Reefland

I think he is saying that he found the drill bit for $30, which is a good price.

Yup 3/4" diamond hole saw made just for glass.

Oh and by the way, I am an newbie's newbie but im learning alot here.

THANKS to all of you !!!

[Poseidon]

Ya 30 for the bit is a good deal, I would skip the Plexi Idea though, to much potential for problems, can you imagine what the Mrs. would say if she came home to 2" of salt water on HER carpet???

[Samper]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

can you imagine what the Mrs. would say if she came home to 2" of salt water on HER carpet???

NO I can't even begin to imagine the expletives.

[Poseidon]

[Max]

Originally Posted by Samper

NO I can't even begin to imagine the expletives.

I have the greatest wife in the world, she'd never yell at me over a little spilt water

Its the money she yells at me about