New Skimmer that wont fit, and resulting Major Sump Alterations

I have been without a skimmer for a few months since my piece of junk skimmer that was part of my sump that I bought went out, finally I was able to get a good one, I got an AquaC EV 120 skimmer pushed by a Rio 2100. First off, I had allready done some mods on my 20 x 10 small sump, (I want a bigger one, but there is no way to get a bigger one in the stand other than thru the top, and I am NOT moving my tank!), I had allready removed the bio balls and was installed a bio bag in the first compartment. The second compartment where the bio balls were was supposed to be where the skimmer would go and than the third chamber where the return pump was. Well the skimmer did not fit. I ended up getting a coping saw and cutting the whole wall of the second chamber out, this allowed me to get the skimmer in, the return pump was placed in a bio bag which stopped micro bubbles from getting back in the DT. Today I drilled a 1/2 inch hole in the side of the sump and ran a 5/8 tube thru that hole to the skimmer drain and into a bucket to collect skimmate. Still trying to dial in my skimmer, its only been set up for about 3 days but it is allready helping my water quality, and I am noticing less algae on the glass. Wish me luck, so far the skimmer is really hard to get right and not produce super wet bubbles.

 

Congrats on the successful mod and new skimmer. It can take up to 4 weeks for the skimmer to settle in. Some skimmate after 3 days is good.

 

If it don't fit, FORCE IT or get a bigger hammer. That's my motto.;D

Good luck and I hope it works out.

 

You didnt happen to take before and after pics? We love pics!

 

when all else fails....get the coping saw!