Just like a dang noob...

[~reefchik~]

The new 90 gal tank is set up and running well. But doncha know, I didn't make absolutely sure there was plenty of space at the back for a HOB skimmer. :rolleye1:

We tried the Bakpak that came off the 20 gal tank, and it's a no go.

Now my question is this: who makes the slimmest HOB skimmer? I have 3.5 inches of clearance between the wall and the tank. I'd have thought that was enough but the skimmers I'm looking at (mostly the Octo line) are 4 inch deep (or wide).

 

[addicted2reefin]

i would go with an insump skimmer at that size. hobs arent big enough for that size tank. prism skimmers are the only ones that may fit, and they arent that good.

 

[~reefchik~]

No sump

 

[Henry Bowman]

To get a decent skimmer on there, you're going to have to go on one of the sides. SWX is making a HOB skimmer and then there's Deltec'$$$$

 

[sedor]

Your really going to want a sump. See about getting an overflow box, then plumb in a sump. Its so easy, you just need a couple pieces of flexible tubing if you want to do it simple. You could even just have a small tank sitting under there for right now with a skimmer sitting in it.

Of course eventually your going to want baffles and a fuge etc etc It never ends lol.

 

[HighlandReef]

+1 for the sump, your gonna need it

 

[~reefchik~]

Ah geez.....I was afraid you guys were gonna say that I need a sump.

I've always been chicken to have one. I just foresee overflow issues and floods in my future

OTOH, my DH is very handy with plumbing and stuff. If I could get him on board with it (excellent mechanical thinking and ability to build anything), to understand the workings of a sump, it would probably be ok. Problem is this is my hobby, always has been.

I just spent some time at Melevsreef DIY sump site. I'm impressed with his designs. I have a couple old tanks in the basement and even a pond pump that I think might work as a return pump.

All things considered though, I'd almost rather buy a sump from the LFS or something, and pay another knowledgeable reefer to set it up for us.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[addicted2reefin]

it is not very hard to do, make sure u drill the return line at the waterline or just below it, inorder to break the siphon from the return, just in case of a power outage. make sure that ur return pump is smaller than water u overflow is rated for, and leave 10 gallons of dry room in the sump and u wont have a flood!

the benifits go far beyond a skimmer

 

[~reefchik~]

addicted, that's all good advice. I know there are many benefits of a sump, I just never had the nerve to set one up <blush>.

You're convincing me

 

[~reefchik~]

I'm looking at this one for now:

Octopus 100F HOB. The size is right, but there are no other specs given.

Anyone know how large a tank this skimmer is rated for?

The Reef Octopus 300 Dual Hang On looks good too.

Also the HOT MSX skimmer...I can't find dimensions for it. In other threads I've seen Octo and MSX recommended a lot but I'm not seeing all the info I need to make a purchase.

In case you're wondering, the "Convince Hubby Of Need For New DIY Sump" discussion hasn't gone well so far....

 

[James77]

I've only had a sump overflow once, and that was a lesson in top-off reservoir siphon . Mine now has 3 float switches to prevent top-off overflowing the sump. Other than that, there is no real way to overflow them as long as you give enough room to hold water from the main tank in case of power outage.

Tell him you will need to tear down the entire wall and move it 1 inch so you can fit the skimmer in- see if he warms to the sump idea with that.

If you go sump- build your own with an aquarium with glass baffles and silicone-

 

[~reefchik~]

LOL, Jim. The tank is on an external wall....don't believe I'll get away with that one.

I'm eyeballing my 20 gallon tank in the LR that all the stuff except sand is out of now. It would make a nice sump.

Years ago I built a part sump/part fuge, out of a 5 gallon tank. Too bad it's too small to be of any use. But I could take it out and look at what I did with it, back when I was in the business and knew more than I can remember now :lol:

 

[whowadat]

Hmmmm, sorry to barge in guys but I'm confused about what sort of overflow works without anything hanging off the back ?? Do they make a box that has two compartments that both sit inside the tank ??

I'm using a Lifereef system which has the black overflow box in the tank with another box hanging off the back. An acrylic tube runs from the tank overflow into the box hanging off the back, this is where the syphon comes from. Should the power go off the syphon stops when the water is lower than the box inside the tank. I drilled a hole in the return to break the syphon from that line. You obviously have to leave some room in your sump for this water should the power go off - or you shut it off to feed.

The problem isn't when the power goes off, its when it comes back on....no ??? If the power comes back on and you don't have a syphon coming from the tank back into the sump, you'll empty your sump via the return pump into the display overflowing it and maybe your fishes with it on the floor.

Does anyone else make an overflow that guarantees syphon start up when the power goes back on ?? I was under the impression that Lifereef was the only one, that's why I bought their product. Which by the way cost me 125.00 and its rated for up to 750 gph from your return pump. Mine measures 4.5 inches out from exterior tank glass but I think you could squeeze 4" out of it - but I guess that's not gonna work for you either. Bummmer

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I did put together a 20L for a sump and got a EuroReef C-2 skimmer for it barely used on RC, both for another 125 bucks. (250 total including Lifereef overflow) I couldn't be happier, I sure hope you find a solution!


Mike

 

[whowadat]

BTW....I guess you could hang an overflow off the side of your tank. Gives you a bit more room to work and maitenance of a sump if you go that route. The box might be able to be hidden with a plant or some sort of fish related knick knack on a small table or something. Again, you can never have enough work space.

You could also make a sump inside your tank by siliconing a piece of glass off of one end, I seen it done with a 180 but I guess your 90 is only 4' long as it is.

Just a thought....

 

[Katmanblue]

Reefchik--just do it I fought it for 10 years, but now I have a 3 month old 90g with a sump. I also envisioned floods, electrical fires, ruined carpets, etc but at the end of the day, to achieve the optimum results from this hobby it was a corner I didnt want to keep cutting. I may have missed it in an earlier post, if so I'm sorry, but you arent the first (or last) one that set up a tank and miscalculated a measurement. You could "just" get a large clean trash bin, siphon the tank till it is empty and move it off the wall to the spot you need. And as far as this being "your hobby", what better way to get your other 1/2 involved than with a plumbing, electrical problem that can be solved. It will suck him right in
Good luck, keep us posted....

 

[Amoore311]

Hmmmm, sorry to barge in guys but I'm confused about what sort of overflow works without anything hanging off the back ?? Do they make a box that has two compartments that both sit inside the tank ??

No, she would have to drill the tank, or hang the overflow box on the side.

Does anyone else make an overflow that guarantees syphon start up when the power goes back on ?? I was under the impression that Lifereef was the only one, that's why I bought their product. Which by the way cost me 125.00 and its rated for up to 750 gph from your return pump.

I bought a generic overflow box for my old 29 Gallon tank from my LFS for $30, it held the siphon just fine during power outages.

 

[phenom5]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15481701#post15481701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by whowadat

Does anyone else make an overflow that guarantees syphon start up when the power goes back on ??

Amiracle HOB overflows work very well.

 

[Toddrtrex]

If you do go the HOB overflow route, I would suggest getting a LifeReef U-tube one. They are more expensive, but work great. I have one on my 75 and it has been running for 7+ years. It has never lost its siphon (( excluding me removing the U-tube to clean it )), and has always restarted after the main pump was off.

 

[ssavader]

I agree on the sump as the best solution by far, but if you are just not up to it, the Red Sea Prism Delux Skimmer is very thin HOB at 2.4". It is rated for up to a 40gal tank and runs about $125, so you would need two. People often slam thes as terrible, but I have had one on my 25 gal. nano for 3 years and it works great (I also have a DV-180 on my 120 gal. reef and have also used an Aqua C Remora before so I do have something to compare the Prism to). If you want to look at the Aqua C Remora, this is also a good skimmer and at 2.75" would also work (it is $159 on Marine Depot). Good luck

 

[Tigé21v]

A few trash cans and a couple of strong friends, you can have as much room as you want behind your tank.
Just measured my Deltec MCE600, just under 3 1/2 inches.