Skimmer and/or Sump recommendations

G'day,

I've set up a 55g tank a few months ago, had it stocked for a month, then had my 3 fish die of ich (or something similar). I don't want this to happen again, and 1 thing I'm missing from my system is a protein skimmer. I already have a Fluval 405 canister filter, which is currently all my filtration.

My tank has no holes drilled in it, and currently has no sump. My #1 concern is flooding; I don't want this to be possible. I'm willing to spend a decent amount of cash on setting it up though, as I want it done right. I also don't want it to be particularly noisy.

So I see 2 options.. 1 is to use one of those syphoning overflow boxes and get a sump, the other being to use a HOB protein skimmer. Would there be much advantage in setting up a sump, and is there any way I can be sure that it won't flood or need priming during or after a power out (which are reasonably frequent where I live). I'm not particularly handy with plumbing stuff, and would prefer to buy an all in one type solution.

The HOB skimmers that most interest me are the Deltec MC500 or MCE600. This is only because I've read reports of flooding, a lot of noise, or inefficiency from the alternatives.

Before I go ahead and buy one of these, does anyone have any recommendations as to what I should do?

Also, do any of the sponsors here ship to Australia? I can't seem to find any shops in Australia that stock them (They're always "special order" items).

 

I would recommend setting up a sump with a U-Tube style overflow box. Lifereef overflow boxes are the best prefilter box, siphon box, overflow box, siphon overflow, Eurobrace, Euro-brace, Euro-tank. They will not lose syphon during a power outage and will restart when power kicks back in. They also make a silencer device that quiets the overflow. The next thing would be a good return pump like a mag. A mag 7 or 9 would be good so that you can put a ball valve on the output to control flow and dial down to meet your overflow.
There are so many advantages to having a sump. Generally, skimmers work better at a constant water level. Having a sump offers you incentive to have a refuge for growing macroalgae and other ways of nutrient export. They also allow you change water chemistry easier. Adding a sump will give your system a greater total water volume which has many advantages in itself. I am sure that there are even more great things about having a sump, I just can't think of them right now. If you are serious about saltwater aquariums I would suggest the sump mainly because you will probably want one eventually.
If you don't want to build a sump on your own(which is not very difficult imo) they make sumps that you could buy. Just make sure that all of the dimensions can accomodate your protein skimmer and whatever else you want to put in it. As for the plumbing, it is really not that difficult to put together. I don't know if there are any companies that make a plumbing setup. Just make sure that you seal all of the unions well and there will be no leaks. Hope that this helps you out.

If you need any more detailed information (ex.plumbing schematic,etc) I may be able to help you. If not, I am sure that someone on this forum can give you some more info. Just don't try to rush and take shortcuts if you decide to go for the sump. Good luck

 

If possible, I recommend drilling the tank, thats a headache-free solution. If not, you will need to install a over flow box(as you mentioned already).

sump
A sump is a separate container connected to the main tank where filtration takes place

That defin. came from this web-site, very informative. www.saltwater101.com

I have never had a tank without a sump, you can have your mechanical and chemical filtration in a sump as well as a protein skimmer. You add more vol. to your system and hide all the equipment under the DT. You also can make a 2-in-1 sump/refugium combo, which would do away with your canister filter. Do some research before do anything.

[SCROLL]Luna[/SCROLL]

 

+1. I don't know why I didn't think of this.

 

The tank is already running with live rock, some corals, and hermit crabs/snails, so I think it's too late to drill it at this stage.

My tank has a crappy stand that doesn't hide anything, so I think cosmetically a HOB skimmer would look better. The only thing I'd be missing out on is a refugium (assuming the HOB filters do a similar job), and the extra volume.

That being said, having the thing be healthy is more important to me than the cosmetics. That box that marau linked looks like the go, although it seems expensive for a bit of plastic. The space under the tank is about 2.5"l x 1"w x 1.5"h. Is this enough space for a good skimmer? As far as "building" a sump goes, isn't it just a tank?

Also, for the plumbing, does it have to be hard PVC, or can I just use some of that flexible stuff that looks like vacuum cleaner tube (like my canister filter does)?

Thanks for your answers, I'm not planning on rushing in to this. The more input the better.

 

you can use a already made tank and just buy glass for the diffrent stages in the tank. Hose can be the vacum stuff and could also be pvc. I think the reason why so many people put there skimmer in there sump cause if it overflows there is no mess.

 

It's not too late. There are ways to drill an existing running system. Drilling the top corner of your tank is possible to create an overflow. You would have to drain your tank down about 1/3 of the way, then use a diamond hole saw to drill the hole. Key is not using too much pressure in this case and let the drill bit do the work for you. I use gaffers tape (it's like duct tape but less sticky) on the inside of the tank to catch any of the glass shards that will grind through when the hole is completed. You will need someone to assist you in spraying water on the glass and drill bit though, and a towel to catch the water that drips down the glass. I got my overflow kit from http://www.glass-holes.com

 

If you don't want to drill, the deltec IMO is the best you can get. It can still overflow though, unless you figure a way to divert the skimmate into a larger container.

Two other solutions would be the AquaC Remora and the Octopus BH-100F. Those skimmers are very good as well......and not so pricey. If I had a choice, I would go AquaC, not because of any direct experience, but because I have heard soooooo many good things about it.

 

Oh, and the in-sump skimmers that are good IMO are the

PM Bullet-1
AquaC EV-120
ETSS 600XR
ETSS Evolution 500

 

The things that have turned me off the alterative HOB skimmers are comments like the bottom one here:
Reef Aquarium Equipment Reviews - Remora
I also read that the octopus is noisy, the pump can overheat, and it can flood.
Note that the majority of reviews I've seen for both the Remora and the BH-100f are good.. but people seem to take skimmers very personally and I tend to read them with a bit of skepticism. I'm yet to read anything bad about the Deltec MC500 or MCE600.

Would the Deltec ones be similar in performance to in-sump models (but more expensive)? What I'm thinking at the moment is to get the Deltec MCE600, and if the need arises for a sump, I can use it in there later.