Skimmer in a wet/dry sump

I have a sump that looks very similar to this:


Do you guys have any suggestions for how I can get a skimmer into this?

I'm not used to having a wet/dry filter... I usually have a regular tank with DIY baffles.

FYI the balls are replaced with LR rubble

 

Fish or reef? If its a reef get rid of the rubble and put a skimmer in there

 

I haven't put any rubble in yet, i'm in the process of piecing together what i need still.

I didn't even think about using that compartment as the skimmer section!

So I could just have the pump intake for the skimmer be in the same section as the drain from the display?

 

You can put it in either one. I have mine in the first chamber with the drain from the tank.
In sump skimmers need a constant level of water. Generally between 8-10 inches. Even a fluctuation of a half inch will change the skimmate level. If its in the first chamber then you can adjust the level with drilling holes or by raising the skimmer. If its in the second you will need to have an auto top off to keep the level constant. Also by having it in the first level you have a baffle already to help keep bubbles from getting back to your display.
You never said fish or reef. Generally there is enough live rock in a reef tank for biological filtration. Rubble is just a detritus trap. Only good reason for using rubble in a sump is a place for copepods to breed

 

It is going to be a reef.

Noted on the rubble. It is a HOB skimmer so it will just have a pump in the water. I do have an ATO.

Thanks for the advice!

 

bad news, took my wet/dry apart and the skimmer will not fit into it. It has like a 2" lip around it covering the top. I think I might just need to suck it up and buy a 20gal to convert to a sump.