Can I have a skimmer under the tank without a sump?

[Recife]

I was looking at Hang on back skimmers until I realized the top on my 125gal acrylic tank (that makes it look like a closed cube except for 2 small open squares inside) probably isn't hangon skimmer friendly.
Can I put one in my cabinet instead even though I don't have a sump? I'm just not convinced that the pumps that come with those skimmers will be strong enough to pump the water back up.

 

[idua]

To be honest I am not sure whether itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s possible. You need a lot of water volume to feed the skimmer (i.e. you need a pump, gravity may not be enough) and then you would need a pump to push the water back to the tank. How wide are the openings and how big is the lip on your tank? Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m just wondering if there is a HOB skimmer which would fit your tank. With a tank of that size you should really consider getting a sump. It will make things much easier in the long run.

 

[dave11]

the pump that comes with the skimmer pushes water into the skimmer - the water returns to the tank by gravity. before I fitted a sump to my tank I built a shelf beside the tank so it could work.
best off if you can have a sump.
dave

 

[crazyfingersmike]

you'll end up pumping all the water out of your system if you try what you're talking about. It cannot be done without a sump, unless the skimmer is above the water level of the main tank.

 

[fishaholic911]

this can be done but would cost more then getting a sump

 

[mg426]

I am not really seeing this happen to easy either. i think These guys are right on you would be better off with a sump.

 

[Dubbin1]

On another note, I don't think you are going to find a HOB skimmer that is going to perform well enough for a 125g tank. Sounds like its time for you to setup a sump.

 

[Recife]

Yeah, I was trying to get away without drilling the tank, but looks like that won't be an option.

So... if I go for a sump, can I use a simple aquarium, or will I need to add dividers, algae, screen, etc?

 

[BlackOnyx]

you could do it with the terminator 2 and the sumpless kit

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=11361&N=2004+113771

 

[Recife]

That looks like exactly what I needed. I just didn't understand how the water will flow from the tank to the skimmer.
Have you read any reviews about this sump-less method? Is it reliable?

 

[avshockey311]

For $120.00 I would get an overflow a 29 gallon tank and build a sump.

 

[nazzy_19]

Just a question for dave11. I don't really get how you can have the skimmer underneath the tank and still have gravity feed water back to the main display.

 

[NCreefwannabe]

He obviously cant have a sump, or doesnt want an overflow box since they suck. Everyone telling him he needs a sump is understandable but not everyone can obviously...

 

[dave11]

hi Nazzy - i had to build a shelf beside the tank for the skimmer before i went down the sump road - the shelf was high enough for a gravity return into the tank
dave

 

[BlackOnyx]

I have no sump on my tank just a HOT remora and it kicks butt. I don't even do water changes!!!! Everything is zero zero and umm zero

 

[Recife]

Emmm... excuse my ignorance, but what's a HOT remora?

 

[Dubbin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6749749#post6749749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BlackOnyx
I have no sump on my tank just a HOT remora and it kicks butt. I don't even do water changes!!!! Everything is zero zero and umm zero

A HOB Remora is NOT big enough for a 125g tank...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6737052#post6737052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NCreefwannabe
He obviously cant have a sump, or doesnt want an overflow box since they suck.

OK what makes you say an overflow "sucks"??? Overflows work just fine if you know how to correctly set it up. Also I'm not seeing why it is so obvious that he cant have a sump.

 

[Recife]

I can have a sump. I just wanted to avoid having to install the overflow-sump system if it weren't as important for a FOWLR tank.

So I'm going to drill my tank, install an internal overflow and use a wet/dry filter (replacing the bioballs for Live rock and algae) as a sump. I will also install a skimmer there.

Does this sound like a good filtration system?