145gal...limited space, need skimmer sugestions!

[mlwoods007]

A little background: I was told it was a 145gal. 72"Lx18"Wx24H"

I caught this thing on that auction site and couldn't pass it up. Practically stole it. After I started to set it up though, I realized a few things that I hadn't took into consideration. My stand is limiting my options big time. I was smart enough to put the 20-30gal sump in it from the back before I filled it though. As you can see from one of the pics, I don't have too much room for a skimmer. Inside the stand measures 21" from floor to ceiling which sucks. I cut some 2x4's to bring up the floor behind the tank, which enabled me to hang the sump out the back of the stand giving me a little more space. MY QUESTION IS, what kind of skimmer will be able to handle this tank yet fit at the same time? With my sump hanging out the back, height is no longer an issue, but I'm now limited in width. With the hang out back method, the skimmer cannot be any wider than 4.5'. I would get a HOB skimmer, but I was told no one makes one to handle my sized tank. Honestly, i'd much rather run one and eliminate all this headache. Any suggestions?

P.S. - It's only been filled now for a few days (saved approx 30% of the old water though, and added 100lbs more of LR), but would like to get a skimmer on it ASAP.

Also please disregard lighting. Bulbs are all out of whack. New ones on the way.

Full tank display
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87810101_0305b.jpg

Stand with two of the four doors open
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87810101_0311c.jpg

Sump underneath
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87810101_0309b.jpg

Sump hanging out the back
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/87810101_0310b.jpg

[mlwoods007]

bump

[mujtba]

You can get a Hang Inside skimmer like TUNZE DOC 9010..

I use that, and it skims well.

my tank dimensions are like yours, except mines 4-5 inches taller..

look at right side of pic:

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/9686/p1000673zp6.jpg

[LobsterOfJustice]

Do you have any space for an externally plumbed skimmer? Depending on how much space you have behind the tank, maybe you could build a little stand out of 2x4. The only limitation is that it has to be above the sump and gravity drain back into it, preferably at around a 45' angle. This is how I have my skimmer plumbed:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/LobsterOfJustice/Saltwater%20Tank/newequipment.jpg

[tkeracer619]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10496724#post10496724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mlwoods007
Practically stole it.

How much did you pay? We wont be offended.

I agree get an external and plumb it behind the tank.

[mlwoods007]

I don't think i have enough room to plumb one behind the tank. If you click on the link underneath the third picture, you'll see a pic of my space behind the tank. I'm probably just going to end up getting a TUNZE, unless of coarse, you guys know of any "good" ones that are not any wider than 4.5"?

tkeracer619, to answer your question, I got everything for $650:

- tank (glass is in really good shape), stand, canopy
- 4x65w pc's (i'll be selling)
- 3 pumps
- 2 heaters
- HOB overflow w/sump
- mini pc's to light the sump
- 2 magnum 350 canister filters
- digital thermometer
- 2 mag floats
- approx 100 lbs. LR and 3 fish
- a ton of extra tubing, nets, and additivives, test kits, and other misc stuff.

[tkeracer619]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10498537#post10498537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mlwoods007

- a ton of extra tubing, nets, and additivives, test kits, and other misc stuff.

Thats the hot item (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1166440&highlight=box+junk) these days :rollface:


Looks like a clean tank and you got a nice deal.

Not sure the sump hanging out the back is a good idea, glass needs to really be evenly supported. The slightest difference in carpet compression can and will crack tanks. I would put it in the stand even if it means taking the rock out again. =[

You can probably remove the center brace easily using 2x4's to build temporary support, empty a bunch of water, then remove the brace, install the sump, reinstall the brace, and remove the extra 2x4s. Pretty easy, most of the time.

[mlwoods007]

thanks all for your input. If all goes well, I'll be posting some nice pics in a month or so. - Mike

[Kannin]

Aqua C Remora Pro or 2 regular ones.

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10499992#post10499992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kannin
Aqua C Remora Pro or 2 regular ones.


BRING ON THEY CYANO!


Build a cabinet and get an external skimmer. You're going to need a big skimmer for this thing.

[mlwoods007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10500493#post10500493 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
BRING ON THEY CYANO!


Build a cabinet and get an external skimmer. You're going to need a big skimmer for this thing.

CYNO? That's exactly what I don't want. Rich (or anyone else knowledgeable), do you think an in tank TUNZE DOC 9010 would be able to handle it? I'm really hoping so, and mujtba seems to think so.

Plumbing it is pretty much not an option. I have it in my bed room and space is limited. I really wish I would have noticed the size of this stand before I bought it. I would've thought about getting it a lot longer than i did. Lol, this think is starting to be a huge b**ch already and I've only had it for a week. I'm probably just going to drop the cash on the TUNZE after a little more research.

[carlso63]

FYI -

72 X 18 X 24 is a 125g tank (but that is still a great deal for $650...)


I think there are a few skimmer mfgs that make "shorty" models that should fit under that 21" height restriction; probably better looking at that then trying to find a 4.5" diameter unit for a tank of this size...


And I have heard the internal Tunzes are decent skimmers...


And I don't necessary think "you are gonna need a BIG skimmer for this thing"... IMO while skimming can be an important part of overall water quality management, it is not a necessity... plenty of reefers run 'skimmerless'; if you end up running an 'underpowered' skimmer due to sizing issues it may just mean a little more human input (yours) towards managing the water quality, and a little less reliance on the skimming aspect...

[mlwoods007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10504030#post10504030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by carlso63



And I don't necessary think "you are gonna need a BIG skimmer for this thing"... IMO while skimming can be an important part of overall water quality management, it is not a necessity... plenty of reefers run 'skimmerless'; if you end up running an 'underpowered' skimmer due to sizing issues it may just mean a little more human input (yours) towards managing the water quality, and a little less reliance on the skimming aspect...

Thanks for your input. I'm going to do some more research before I purchase one, but that's more or less what I was thinking.

[RichConley]

carlso, while some reefers run skimmerless, the vast majority that do, run minimal fish, and keep more tolerant corals.


Running no skimmer/and undersized skimmer severely limits what you can stock a tank with.


OP: Have a custom built. Someone can build you a shorty type model. You really need an 8" bodied skimmer for a tank this big.

[mlwoods007]

Does anyone (or know someone), who builds GOOD RELIABLE custom skimmers? - Before I say screw it and just buy the TUNZE -

[mlwoods007]

BUMP

[gabe3d]

I use a Schuran Jetskim 150 on my 210, it is very small and a pretty good skimmer in my opinion.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/gabe3d/Aquarium/210/IMG_3474.jpg

[LPCHPC]

I run a remora pro w/mag3 on a 90. skims great, fills the cup every other day, no cyano, no amm/nitrite to speak of.