Skimmer and/or Sump recommendations

Unfortunately drilling is not an option There's no room to fit a drill behind the tank where the holes should go even if I was confident enough to try it.

 

I've also heard great things about Deltec, but theres something about spending 1000's of $$$ that doesnt sit well with me. I will tell you that I have seen the difference in quality between cheaper skimmers and ones that cost $250-$400 ,but Deltecs are way too expensive. Luna

 

Drilling is the easiest thing to do. All you need is a decent diamond tipped drill bit, a template as big as the drill bit, some tape to hold the template from moving and a constant flow of water to cool the bit and glass. Oh, and a drill of course. It takes only 15 seconds to drill a 1 1/4" hole in a 1/4" glass. It took me more time to set everything up than the actual hole. If you could transfer your livestock into a temp. tank while you drilled, that would be great. Luna

 

The MCE600 is $540au or ($360 usd), which doesn't seem like the expensive option to me.

For the sump option, I'd need either a drill + drill bit or an overflow box, a return pump, a sump/tank, the pipes, a skimmer, and probably a lot of time to get it right. Of course, if I ended up getting a sump anyway, then it would be the expensive option.

There's no room behind the tank to get in to drill the hole, so the only way I could possibly do it is from inside the tank, and I don't think I'd be able to hold the drill steady enough at that awkward angle.

 

Your right.....not that expensive at all. Direct from Deltec, you are looking at about $500. Now you do have to look at the gallonage that it will service. Comparing it to, say an ETSS 600XR (I run an old style), it does not have as high a maximum (190g), but it does have an increased heavy stocking capacity of 120g. Mine ranges from 100 to 300 gallons. It sounds like a viable option for you. For $360, I would buy it in a flash. You will not be disappointed in it's performance.

 

Thanks again. I went ahead and ordered the MCE600 (Just as it went up in price thanks to our dollar ). I figure if the need does arise for a sump, I can always install it into that anyway.