no sump cant hob skimmer

I can't run a skimmer in a sump because I don't have one and I can't run a hob skimmer because I hsve no room. Is there a skimmerr that you can mount it to the floor and has a seperate pump ?

 

there is always the side of the tank...

 

How about a HOS (hang on side) lol?

It's obviously the same as the HOB skimmer but will function just as well on either the side (or if you have to) the front. If neither of these are an option - if you have floor space where you can put the skimmer, then you have floor space for a sump. A sump DOES NOT have to be directly next to or below your tank. This is why some people will put it in their basement or in another room entirely - you just need an elevation difference and a return pump. You can have a small footprinted sump for just a skimmer and a return pump. it would make your life so much easier to have one.

An external skimmer will function well - but to my knowledge does not lend the same level security as there is no safety if the bubble chamber decided to go nuts and eject a continuous column of bubbles out of the top of the skimmer - slowly but surely enough to wreak havoc or drain your tank.

In sump skimmers can overflow all day - they will just eject the water back into the system with no water loss compared to external skimmers.

 

Good point, has there been any diy type developments to making a saftey overflow device or plumbing to HOB skimmers to alleviate or control this threat?