72g bowfront, no skimmer?

[geaux xman]

I have a 72g FW bowfront that i'm about ready to give the 2 fish away and convert it to SW.

Inside the stand is very tight, so I really dont think I can do much. I could run a couple of AquaClear HOB and a couple of Koralia powerheads. I really dont want to end up dumping too much into this tank and rather save the money for a big upgrade.

This tank will sorta serve as a holding tank for a few 3-4" fish. Probably moderate bioload.


So could I run no skimmer and do 20g WC every 2 weeks?

I have seen people squeeze in a 20g long sump in these stands. Or maybe I can do some sort of wet/dry filtration?

I wouldnt mind spending $3-400 max in converting this tank.(not including price of dry rock/livestock/lights)

Any ideas?

 

[randomfishguy85]

skimmers are great, but they arent absolutely neccesary. i think your plan sounds good as long as you stock accordingly.

 

[geaux xman]

I have the powerheads and AquaClear HOB filters already.

So for the most part, I just need to decided on the HOB filters or run a glass-holes overflow+skimmer/sump.

With the skimmer/sump, I would still do 20g WC once a month. With the HOB filters, I would do 20g WC every 2 weeks. My only concern is the 20g WC every 2 weeks isnt adequate for a no skimmer FOWLR system.

I really want to keep this simple, as if/when I do a bigger upgrade, I will still keep the 180g FOWLR. So I dont want to have to constantly keeping an eye on all 3 sumps.

 

[randomfishguy85]

if you are willing to drill the tank and do the whole sump/skimmer thing than go for it. it will make for a better looking display. but whatever you do, try to get a ato system set up. you could do it cheap with an autotopoff.com set up. It all depends on how much you want to spend. you could do alot with the $3-400 you said you were willing to spend in your first post.

 

[geaux xman]

thanks for the feedback. i just tried sticking in a 29g tank into the stand from the front and it wont go.

not sure how this guy stuck a 20g Long in there. a 29g is just taller, same length. i would do a 20g long, so i can get the skimmer in and out.

 

[randomfishguy85]

maybe you could take out the centre bar on the stand, add the sump and then reinstall the bar? just make sure you take the tank off the stand before you do it just in case.

 

[geaux xman]

My tank still has water and FW fish in it, so I cant really test anything til everything is empty. I just realized the owner of that tank has a build thread on here, so I just messaged him.

I just did some measuring. I think a 20L will slide in from the top of the stand.

glass-holes overflow
eheim 1260/1262 return pump

skimmer ?

 

[Meanmike]

It looks like he put the sump in from the top.


Lol if I would have read your post above I would know that you already know

 

[jcw]

I modified my stand and put in the aqueon proflex 4 sump that I bought used.

Dimensions are 36.9" x 14.8" x 19"

I even was able to fit a ATB 840 in the center section. the cup comes out ONLY if I remove the lid, it's that tight. But I can still remove the skimmer body.


Basically, I removed the rear center support replaced it with a 2x6 across the back held up with 2x4.

Been up and running about 6 months. No issues and i love that I crammed all that stuff in there. 3 filter socks that I can use or not use. Big area for live rock, oversized skimmer.