Skimmers

[rdnelson]

I have a 45g tank with 30 lbs of LR and run a canister filter. I just picked up a 20g tank I plan on turning into a sump/rugs. Obviously, space is limited in a 20g but I want to maximize the space. The problem is I know nothing about skimmers. So help me out her please.

First, how much room do I need to leavefor the skimmer when I set up the baffles? Second, please giveme an explanation of how to plumb one up (or are they self contained). Last, on a related subject, is the bubble trap intended to elevate the bubbles created by the skimmer or the water returning from the tank. The reason I ask is because I have seen lots of designs where the pump was in the middle and they had no bubble trap between the five and the pump but did have it between the skimmer and the pump.

 

[jead85]

 

[rdnelson]

Thanks guys. My plans for this weekend got sidetracked as soon as I walked in the door tonight and found that my wife and daughters have planned what little free time I had set asside for what I wanted to do. Some day, I will be able to do what ever I want on my weekends. Yeah, and someday pigs will fly. LOL

 

[the-bubonic-one]

I have a 20L under my 72. 3 compartment setup. I have both holes from my tank as drainage and plumbed the return up the back of the tank. The (return drain 3/4") hole goes to the far right with a ball valve closed mostly to allow slow water movement for the fuge. The (main drain1") is on the left with the baffle set just big enough for the skimmer and skimmer pump to fit in. Bubble trap then the return pump sits in the middle.

 

[rdnelson]

Got any pictures? I would love to see them if so. In my case, my tank is not drilled (if I had only known). I did build a DIY HOB Overflow that is just waiting on me to build a sump. :yay:

The-Bubonic-One;709523 wrote: I have a 20L under my 72. 3 compartment setup. I have both holes from my tank as drainage and plumbed the return up the back of the tank. The (return drain 3/4") hole goes to the far right with a ball valve closed mostly to allow slow water movement for the fuge. The (main drain1") is on the left with the baffle set just big enough for the skimmer and skimmer pump to fit in. Bubble trap then the return pump sits in the middle.

 

[jead85]

Make sure that you compensate for drainage when pump shuts off, you don't want it to overflow

 

[umbrellacorp]

Just get a hang on back sea clone. Everyone says they are junk but i disagree. As long as u take it apart and clean it ever few months it does great. My nitrates are 0. "knock on wood"


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[mufret]

You have 3 types of skimmer alternatives (in sump, HOB or external). The in sump is the easiest to setup but will require the most real estate in the sump. Definitely, get the skimmer you want first before you start installing your baffles if you decide to go this route. You can hang a HOB skimmer off the sump and it will only require enough room in the sump for the pump that's used to feed it. If you go this route definitely go with one of the better brands. It can sometimes be a challenge finding a good spot to hang a skimmer because of stand limitations. The external models are usually the most expensive option but they take up the least amount of room in the sump but there's more plumbing involved. You can even feed them directly from the drain.

 

[snowmansnow]

rdnelson99;709493 wrote: Some day, I will be able to do what ever I want on my weekends. Yeah, and someday pigs will fly. LOL

haha ya.. good luck with that

Edit:

UmbrellaCorp;709672 wrote: Just get a hang on back sea clone. Everyone says they are junk but i disagree. As long as u take it apart and clean it ever few months it does great. My nitrates are 0. "knock on wood"


Sent from my iPhone4s via Tapatalk

IMO DO NOT get a seaclone. I've had one. I've also had EuroReef, Octopus, AquaC, and Bubble King.

The clone was NO WHERE Close in performance.

again, just my opinion, so take it for what its worth.

If you want a decent HOT skimmer for a decent price you can find a used AquC Remora. They aren't 1st class, but they are ok skimmers for the price, and much better than the seaclones.

 

[rdnelson]

Thanks eveyone. I appreciate all the input. I was able to knock out wiring my neighbors basement in just a couple of hours yesterdays so I had a bit of time to play. I decided I would take a swag at the spacing of my baffles. It is going to be a while before I can fork out for a skimmer so...... My sump will not be going in the stand. My tank sits on top of the entertainment center which is angled in the corner of the Family room. That means, footprint is limited but I can go as tall as I want. That is what limited me to the 20g long. But, that means I can live with a HOB if they work well and are a bit cheaper. I am building a short stand which will put the top of the sumb about belt high so that should make it easier to work with on a regular basis.

Again, I appreicate all the help guys.

 

[captain copper]

rdnelson99;709759 wrote: Thanks eveyone. I appreciate all the input. I was able to knock out wiring my neighbors basement in just a couple of hours yesterdays so I had a bit of time to play. I decided I would take a swag at the spacing of my baffles. It is going to be a while before I can fork out for a skimmer so...... My sump will not be going in the stand. My tank sits on top of the entertainment center which is angled in the corner of the Family room. That means, footprint is limited but I can go as tall as I want. That is what limited me to the 20g long. But, that means I can live with a HOB if they work well and are a bit cheaper. I am building a short stand which will put the top of the sumb about belt high so that should make it easier to work with on a regular basis.

Again, I appreicate all the help guys.

good HOB skimmer can be had for under 200 bucks if you dont have the room for an in sump. With a 20g long though, i would think something around the size of an INS80 reef dynamics would JUST fit.

 

[rdnelson]

Thanks Captain. That should JUST fit. LOL I am going to run for a little while without one. Got to past all the Christmas expense first. But, at least I know I can get one in the space I left.

 

[eagle9252]

<span style="font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size: 13px">One thing that I have decided to do on my next sump is either put the pump in the middle or on the end. I will slightly angle the glass a couple of degrees. So the water can slide down instead of fall down. This will mean hopefully no bubbles at the pump. As for the baffles I did ¾” because I used a 1x4 as a spacer. The 20L I redid and sold the guy wanted the last one with a 1 ½ gap so he could put a sponge filter in it and set carbon bags on it. I also did only 7” for the first one thinking it would be big enough and it’s not. i cant run a large soc and my seaclone in the sume together. So at the moment it’s on the DT. But before anyone complains I’m going to replace it but it is working and I have thought about doing the seaclone mods to it.</span></span>

 

[raz0945]

+1

ajduncan15;709470 wrote: hey boss, i'm kinda in the same boat. Consider googling "melev's reef. Never met the guy but i have spent hrs on his sump diy . He's got all sorts of stuff even measurements on how to build your own wier! Dudes my hero... Hope this helps.