Sumpless skimmers?

I am new to the Marine hobby, but not new to working on marine aquariums at the local pet shop where I work.

I am trying hard to avoid the hassle and potential hazard of the physics of the siphon involved in sumps. I would find myself homeless if the landlord found 125 gallons of water slowly making its way to the heads of my downstairs neighbors. :-/

I am trying to make a sumpless system, with as little intrusion by the life support systems as possible.

This entails not having anything on the back of the tank. I am trying my best to conceal everything below in the cabinet if possible.

I have been researching sumpless skimmers and have only found two so far.

D&D marine's Terminator skimmer with sumpless accessory and the Turboflotor 5000.

The terminator seems not only cheaper, but easier to use for a beginner in my position.

Does anyone know of a better solution to going sumpless?

Thanks for your time.

And for a bit of trivial info, I am making a completely artificial specimen tank for a Pterois Volitans. The only living thing in this tank will hopefully be the fish itself. No live rock, coral, aragonite. Just sand and rocks.

 

Hmmm, interesting! This explains why you like that 3D background,....it would look good with a volitans

If you are going fish only, with only one fish...you could likely skip the skimmer and go with an very good canister filter, so long as you keep up with the water changes and canister maintenace...I think ;D

BTW, siphon issues are very easily overcome by simply drilling a small hole right below the water line in any pipes going over and under the tank. All my returns have a hole and that breaks siphon right away when exposed to air.

 

Indeed. Between that background and the black sand in the tank, the results would be a striking and nearly complementary contrast.

When I first read this, it was a stroke of simple genius.

But after rereading it several times, I am still trying to wrap my head around where exactly you are drilling these holes, and how you are keeping the siphon going without the pressure being completely disrupted.

Sorry, I think I may very well be having a blonde day.

Nice african grey by the way. Is that a congolese or a timida?

 

Thanks! She is a Congo ;D

You would drill the hole just under the water line in the display tank on all pipe returning water to the main tank. You overflow will stop at the level you set the box at, no need to drill holes in the overflow. Just be sure your sump is large enough to contain any 'freeboard' (which is any water that will come over the overflow in event of power failure, and any water down to the level you have drilled the holes on your returns) My holes are about a half inch below the water line, so while they do squirt a little water out , you cannot tell, because it under water ;D My overflow box is about an inch below the water. I have a 20 gallon sump which will take on all that water. Simple Get it? I have blonde days more and more as I 'mature' LOL!

 

did you go with the Terminator? i am considering buying one.