external vs internal sump skimmer

[Tank14]

besides space inside the sump, are there any other reasons to choose one vs the other? how reliable are external skimmers? I worry about the skimmer failing and somehow flooding the stand and floor.

 

[Gonzalex]

Heat issues is a + for external.

 

[mastershake72]

External protein skimmers are more efficient. In sump skimmers will keep pulling in the same water that you have already skimmed, whereas external skimmers dump the skimmed water and pull in unskimmed water. And, has already been mentioned, no added heat to the system which is a major plus. But of course the major downside is plumbing issues resulting in the dumping of water all over the floor and running all the pumps dry in the sump.

 

[tkeracer619]

But of course the major downside is plumbing issues resulting in the dumping of water all over the floor and running all the pumps dry in the sump.

If the skimmer overflows it can be bad news. A simple float switch in the skimmate locker resolves all that.