Surface skimming with HOB

[freddy4130]

I have searched a thousand times. Does anyone have a not so ugly set up for surface skimming with a HOB? I have an AC110 on a 40 breeder. I was thinking I could just silicone a regular overflow box to the back and have the HOB pull from inside that. But I have no clue as to what size box to build.

 

[E.intheC]

I don't see why that wouldn't work, and it can't be too difficult to make.

Maybe try posting in the DIY forum as well

 

[freddy4130]

LOL, I thought this one was DIW. Thanks for the reply. I'll be setting this tank up tomorrow. Not sure if I am gonna make an overflow. I don't know how large to make it.

 

[Nereaga]

Here is my Octo 800S surface skimming box. Small clean and clear! I really like it. It's 2.5x2.5 and 5'' high. Works nice...

 

[Nereaga]

It all depends on what pump you are using.... Make it just a tad bigger than the pump. I would make it black to hide the pump tho...

 

[freddy4130]

I think you misunderstood. Imagine a regular internal overflow box that sits on the back glass. Normally it would be drilled and the drain would lead to a sump. Now think of of not being drilled. Now envision the intake tube for a HOB filter sitting inside the overflow box. This would allow for surface skimming without the use of one of those awful contraptions and all the drilling into the tube.

 

[pb4ugoout]

I too would like to do that. I hate looking at my giant ugly mag 5 in the bottom of my tank, tired of moving rock out of the way to rinse the sponge, and tired of skimming the film off the top of the water every other day. I might just try this and see what happens. The only thing I would worry about would be fish getting inside the box. Is this an issue anyone has to deal with?

 

[Nereaga]

I understand completely. It would work, you just need to drain your tank for a full 24hrs for the silicone to dry. Or glue one to the rear glass of the tank.

You might be able to just buy the internal side from say eshopps or life-reef and just use that.

Actually the dimensions of the lifereef inner box is 8''x8''x3''.

HTH

 

[freddy4130]

Well, until just a couple hours ago the tank was empty and new just like the filter. I decided not to to an overflow. One thing I had not considered was evaporation. I top off manually and this set up would leave no room for error.

 

[yankeereefer]

you could drill some holes in the bottom or sides of the "box". this way, if evap took the water line below the skimmer box teeth, it would still take on water via the holes then your AC won't run the box dry