How can I incorporate a Skimmer to this setup.

[Mylo]

First let me describe my setup.

I currently have a 90 Gallon Bow Front Reef ready aquarium. Under this aquarium is a PRECISION MARINE ( http://www.precisionmarine.com/html/r24.html ) refugium (roughly 20 gallons). This was the largest refugium that I could fit in the stand without going custom. I have about 130 lbs. of live rock in the tank along with some fish. ( http://www.leslieandgreg.com/SaltwaterPhoto.html ) If you go to the last link and scroll to the bottom of the page you should see the whole setup of the tank and a layout of my possible plan. Setup is plain and simple. (I used paintbrush for the layout)

History: I had an old hang-on skimmer that was hanging on the overflow of the main tank but that skimmer has died since then. So now I am sitting here wondering how can I incorporate a skimmer to this setup or if I really need to. I have a saltwater creation station in the garage so I will continue doing 20-30 gallon bi-weekley water changes. I would hate to have to drill the refugium to setup a skimmer on their as I can not place one inside the refugium. I also do not have much room to work with in this stand. I am almost thinking about getting a 200 gallon RUBBERMAID (Sump Container) and keeping that inside of my garage about 18 feet away from the MAIN TANK. Then I was thinking about running a line from the over flow to the sump and getting a big Mag Pump to run the return line all the way back. Any ideas thrown my way would be helpful. I have made a sketch of the layout of my house along with the possible location of a new SUMP in the garage. The layout is on the same page as my tank. I live in Houston, TX so I am not sure how that would affect the temp of the sump due to the location in the garage. I guess since alot of the water (MAIN TANK) is still in the house then the temps should balance out okay. Sorry to post such an unorganized paragraph but this has been bothering me for quite some time and I just now got around to doing it.

If you need any additional photos please list and I will take them and post them asap.

[Steven Pro]

You could add a Rubbermade to the system, but temperature could be an issue. I imagine an unheated or airconditioned garage in Houston could be rather hot in the summer or somewhat cool in the winter. You would know better than me though.

[Mylo]

The temp in the garage can get up to 120. But on average about 90-95 in a 24 hour period. I don't know if a CHILLER will even be enough in a garage, unless it's like a 10 HP one. Actually I should not say that because I don't know anything about chillers.

[ANGRY JOHN]

well if your not against going with another hot skimmer which i didnt see that you were then a remora would do the trick.

[MISTERFIXIT]

Hey Mylo,
If you can produce a tank like that without a skimmer---you're the man.From the pics I've seen ,it looks awsome.

Marc

[spankerbob]

I have heard real good things about the remora's, you could hang it on you sump. If cost is not a real factor detec has great looking hang on that if it work like the other deltecs I have seen should be bad ass, but it runs $470 or so, I think and the remora is $200.

[charlie]

Mylo, first off, welcome to Reefland!!!!
I think that you could go with the hang on Remora. It is a very good skimmer for the price.
How long have you been skimmerless, your tank is outstanding!!!!