Help needed with Protein Skimmer Setup.

[ShooterRick]

I am beginning to dry fit my 72 bow front at this time and am taking pics as I go to post later but one quick question envolving a compromise Skimmer return line.

Because I am using a empty wet dry as a sump and because of room and the tower on one side, I only have room under the stand to place the skimmer so its return line (recirculating) is on the same end of the sump as the return pump. I know this is problematic do mostly to micro bubbles.

It has been suggested before that a sponge like is used as a pre filter for a return pump could be placed on the return of the skimmer, I was also wondering if a filter sock would also work or if a better solution is available. No choice other that toss the wet dry sump and build another standard sump. I really do not want to do this as it is in very good condition and sized to this used tank I purchased.

Because of several controlls that were mounted on the back of the tank I assume the back was open and available to the previous owner and I assume the previous owner had it directly behind the tank and that was not a concern. It will not be for me in the location I have for the tank and must set next to the sump on the opposite side from the tower of the wet dry.

[ShooterRick]

On edit: If I can set the stand 8 inches out from the wall, I can dump the skimmer in the fuge section before the return. May be a problem unless I come up with something to hide the back from the wife for her decorating senses. LOL.