I need skimmer help!

[Dapple]

Ok here goes. New setup. New tank 75g. 20g sump. I want a skimmer but due to the size of my sump/ style of it I cannot put it in it. I need one that I can plumb in beside the sump. Someone give me a few models to look at for the size tank I am setting up. Thank you all.

 

[gflat65]

MRC skimmers are generally external skimmers. They have to be mounted with the outlet from the skimmer located above the sump to prevent extra back pressure. I've run them for years and am happy with them. I have a friend who ran an ETSS skimmer in similar fashion and was happy with the results. Not as many bells and whistles, but a good bit cheaper, too, I believe.

 

[gflat65]

An MR2 is a decent smaller size. They may have some smaller (haven't looked at the site in a while).

A 20 gallon sump is pretty small volume, though. Is it a 20L or a 20H? I was able to squeeze a 30 under my wife's 75, but it had to be done before the tank was placed on the stand...

 

[Dapple]

Well I got this sump at a good deal from tangboy so I'm trying to incorporate it into my setup but I do agree it may be to small. If anyone has one that is chambered more modernly let me know. I don't really need the skimmer just yet but before I start the tank up I would at least like to have my sump or a bigger one installed so I can start my cycle.

 

[EvilMel]

Can you not rechamber it? Like cut out the baffles and move them? That's what I'd do or better yet, get a 20L and remake the entire thing. It's cheap and super easy.

 

[Dapple]

I hate to say it but I will most likely be looking for a larger 3 chamber sump that I can put a skimmer in. Someone has to have a used for sale.

 

[bruce 1]

I have a sump . It is 36x14x11

 

[EvilMel]

That would certainly do it.

I'd just buy a tank and put the baffles in myself. It's really not difficult at all!

 

[Dapple]

Hi Bruce send me some info on that sump.

 

[Dapple]

Yeah I got me a skimmer. I love craiglist.

 

[tangboy]

Excellent Dapple!

 

[EvilMel]

I saw the picture of his skimmer and it doesn't look too shabby! I hope it pulls out loads of green gunk!

 

[Dapple]

I wish I find out what kind of skimmer this is . Lol. It has no name or part number on it. It's brand new. But it was a CL FIND. I hope it can keep up with my 75g. It is a hang on model. I don't want it on the tank rim . It's small enough to fit in my acrylic sump. I am going to make a perch of egg crate and place the intake PH lower into the sump. I don't want water that high in my sump. I hope the PH is strong enough to push a extra 9-10 inches. I am going to route the exhaust side back across into my refugium section.

 

[Dapple]

Well its official. EPIC FAIL. My CL skimmer is a POS. LOL. Reef octopus here I come. Some things are too good to be true. It is way too noisy .

 

[EvilMel]

If you can fit one, I'd recommend one of the Vertex Skimmers. I've got an IN180 on my 120 and it's rockin' and rollin'. Everyone knows I'm biased towards that type of skimmer though.

They are price-fixed so they're going to cost the same everywhere, which is nice.

Their footprint is a little large so you might need to switch out those baffles like we were discussing.

They are more appropriately size-rated than most skimmers too, so no real need to get one that's twice the rating for your tank...maybe just a slightly larger rating than your tank.

 

[llpoolej]

I have an MRC-1 for sale. It needs to find a home really badly

 

[EvilMel]

THIS is a good idea!