Advise With Protein Skimmer

See my tank stats. In spite of a consistently well balanced sytem. My tank is on a small armoire that is 4' 5" tall (caddy-corner). The tank itself 20" tall....(water changes are fun!). I would like to get a protein skimmer ...something compact, basic and nonintrusive. Behind the armoire, I have the chiller on top of a small sturdy table (that offers no more room). I want to be a realist here, but is there a skimmer that is compact, uninvasive, inexpensive. I just dont want to see anymore contraptions errupting from my tank. Kind of defeats the purpose of enjoying a natural simulation.

 

The problem, if I can use that word is when you get into the smaller, convienient skimmers the trade off is 'Quality".
I've trashed the Aqua line pretty well from my own personal experiances. The Remora which is their HOB was OK, bit not worth 160.00 dollars-
I understand the whole intrusive look, but you either gey the HOB or have intake/return tubes-I say that because your tank is set up, if it was a new start you could hide all (most of) the plumbing.
The Remora I used also added heat to my 24 gallon, which caused me to by a 1/10 hp chiller.
Glad I upgraded to a larger tank-HEY thats your out, you need a decent skimmer and to do so you need a new tank-

Problem solved-LOL

Im married I need to sell the misses on the upgrades-

Good luck you are venturing down a very "opinionated" road

"The Skimmer..."

 

can you somw how run a sump or filferbox? you would be able to hide almost everything if you were abe to use one.

 

The Eshopps HOB skimmer is great when it works, I liked ours when we ran it at the shop, Aquabee pump with a modded impeller, mesh and needle wheel, bubble plate and external pump. Great features but we scraped it because it is persickity and flooded our store twice when it decided to skim so wet it skimmed out 20 gallons!!!

 

LOL ...I would LOVE to buy a new tank ....but not until I buy a much larger home.
Dasco ...honestly, I dont know what or how a sump or filterbox works. My system has been so basic, and with no plan to upgrade for a few more years, Ive done no homework on these things and what they do. I can tell you that I have not an ounce of room behind my unit to accomodate another peice of equipment ....unless it sits on top of my chiller.

 

Dr.Frag ...lol, great alias btw ....Im looking at the Eshopps HOB skimmer online now. Im assuming this whole thing goes into the tank ...or ...is it just and inlet and outlet tube going into the tank, with the main body of the skimmer hanging on the outside? Thanks for sharing your knowledge ...all of you.

 

Thank you, I like it too As for the Eshopps I am warning you I punted mine and will be talking to Bob next time I see him at a trade show... I have heard some great things about it, it worked great for us, but like I said on two occasions it spilled 20 GALLONS of water on the floor NO GOOD!!

Only the inlet and outlet go in the tank....

 

Ok shark, go to this site;DIY Saltwater Aquariums Overflow Box Plans and study up on overflow boxes and sumps. If there is nothing under the stand, that is where the sump will be and you can get rid of that intrusive pump in the tank. It shouldn't cost that much and you will not regret it.