Needing advice regarding a hang on skimmer

[abbyoneshoe]

Hi i'm a noob i filled up my new tank 145 litres and placed the live rocks and sand in wooohoo. Now i have a problem i have been looking at skimmers but my tank has a glass shelf running around the top about 3" all the way around the top.

The gap either side is pretty small to fit pipes for the inflow of a hang on the back skimmer.I have looked all night at diffrent models and cannot work out how the inflow pipe is going to fit through such a small gap on a hang on the back skimmer.

Any help or advice would be fantastic i'm not sure if i would need a internal pump with a pipe going to a hang on back skimmer or if i can get a all in one model what the inflow pipe would fit through such a small gap.

Thanks in advance and happy fishys.:beer:

 

[mcgyvr]

For a eurobraced tank where you want a HOB skimmer you likely just need to modify it by extending the horizontal sections of the inlet and outlet tubes..
Depending on which skimmer that may be accomplished by just cutting the tube and using tubing and hose clamps to extend it or PVC/slip unions..

 

[abbyoneshoe]

Dang there expensive is there a cheaper option with just one inflow pipe that is a hang on the back skimmer i'm not cheap skate but seems a bit pricey and thanks for your reply

 

[Uncle99]

Flex pipe is maybe all that may work and working around the shelf as mcgyvr suggests.

 

[mcgyvr]

Well...no tank needs a skimmer so you always have the choice of not having one...

 

[abbyoneshoe]

Urm now i'm more confused than ever!! I set up my fluval sea 13 gallon 8 weeks ago with live rock, live sand and a mini skimmer and my four fish seem very happy, the corals i bought did not do too well but one mushroom coral is growing great yippee.

Now i have a bigger tank what i have set up using the same method but i still need to purchase a skimmer and i think i will get a Hob.I did watch lots of videos on how to start a reef tank but i think i made a few mistakes by purchasing starter kits including a canister filter what came with the bigger tank.

The canister filter is a pain to clean and i end up with water everywhere so i will save my pennies and invest in a Hob.

My blue cheeked goby is called Bob and digs holes all day just like bob the builder, my tomato clown fish is called nim and begs to be feed constantly, my coral beauty is betty and is shy and last but ;0not least is my six line wrasse who can tell when its night time what i find quite weird.

Thanks for the advice and soon as i have a coral garden to be proud of i will post pics!!!

happy reefing!!

 

[ryeguyy84]

Have you considered adding a sump and putting a skimmer below the tank? Though I'm sure you would have the same issue with a HOB overflow

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Uncle99]

Not sure why your confused?
All mcgyvr points out (and of course is 100% correct) is this hobby does not require a skimmer, in fact I have seen great tanks without skimmer, or filter, just good LR, flow, light, and water changes.

Filters, sumps, plenum, skimmers, reactors, ATO, dozers, help us reduce the frequency of water changes or replenish elements used.

So you don't need tons of equipment at a large cost to be successful.

If you go this way, please research what is required on this site.

 

[Fourstars]

Doesn’t Tunze make a internal fully contained unit?

Here it is, held on by magnets. COMLINE DOC SKIMMER Bulk reef supply carries them.

 

[abbyoneshoe]

I was unaware that you can have a tank without a skimmer i guess i'm just looking for a simple method to get started and live rock and a skimmer seemed pretty good. Thanks guys for the information and i will watch more youtube vids until i understand the basics of keeping a marine tank.

 

[Fourstars]

If your new and it’s a new tank a skimmer is a must. Gotta have.

 

[on the spot]

If your new and it's a new tank a skimmer is a must. Gotta have.

Nonsense.

 

[sde1500]

Nonsense.

Agreed

 

[abbyoneshoe]

I think i have solved my problem i took a razor blade and carefully cut the silicone and removed the lip on one side of the tank now i can fit any hang on the back skimmer on one side of the tank or maybe even a internal skimmer i'm a genius!!

Can't wait to get my bigger tank started and have some pretty wrasses and corals, thanks all for the advice you learn something new everday.

 

[mcgyvr]

If your new and it's a new tank a skimmer is a must. Gotta have.

yep.. total BS...
NO tank needs a skimmer.. new or old..
There are plenty of people running successful tanks without skimmers..
They are not that efficient (30% at best) and are certainly not mandatory equipment..

 

[mcgyvr]

I think i have solved my problem i took a razor blade and carefully cut the silicone and removed the lip on one side of the tank now i can fit any hang on the back skimmer on one side of the tank or maybe even a internal skimmer i'm a genius!!

Can't wait to get my bigger tank started and have some pretty wrasses and corals, thanks all for the advice you learn something new everday.

I would caution against removing what is likely a structural aspect of your tank.. You may have just created a situation where your tank will fail/break...

Lets see some pictures so we can see if you have caused any serious damage and need to immediately repair what you have done..

 

[abbyoneshoe]

So here we go hope i aint broke my tank!!

 

[abbyoneshoe]

The lip ran all the way around the inside of the tank to hold the liftable cover in place for feeding and keep condensation in i suppose. I just took the right hand corner piece out so my skimmer can hang on one side.The lights are on a flexi spring operation thing and can bend upwards.

I don't think ive done any damage the tank seems stable but i'm no expert.

 

[on the spot]

...i took a razor blade...I'm a genius...

I would caution against removing what is likely a structural aspect of your tank...

The lip ran all the way around the inside of the tank to hold the liftable cover in place for feeding and keep condensation in i suppose...

A 38 gallon tank isn't huge, so the end might just be fine. BUT that part isn't a shelf, or for limiting condensation.

I'd suggest cleaning it really, really good and put it back like you found it with new silicone. let it set for a week to cure and then start again.

HTH, and best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

[billdogg]

If your new and it's a new tank a skimmer is a must. Gotta have.

Nonsense.

Agreed

What the last two guys said!

I kept my 60g cube for 22 years and never had a skimmer. I used a dual biowheel HOB and a canister filter and although it required more regular maintenance it was a great tank.