Turning aquafuge into a sump??

I'm running the CPR 3.3g Aquafuge. Spec's are: Water Capacity: 3.60 Gallons
Dimensions: 19" L x 4.5" W x 12" T

Here's what I've been thinking of doing....Turning the fuge into a sump only so I can put the skimmer in side of it. Hydor Slim Skim Nano Skimmer specs are: 12" X 3" X 3.33 recommended water level is 11"

I can't help but think that the skimmer would be better utilized in this manner. ( It looks horrible in my tank) I'd also be able to change my intake pump to that of a mj900 or less and add a Fluval surface skimmer to that. I have horrible surface protein!!!

My biggest concern? Can/will my tank run successfully without a refugium? Will the LR, skimmer and chemical filtration be enough?

 

my .02, I'd keep the aquafuge set up as a fuge...

 

Add baffles to the fuge and put a skimmer just after the intake?

 

The fuge is only 19" long. Take 4" away with the skimmer and that gives me a 15" fuge. The skimmer is also going to slow the flow throughout the fuge, big time!

 

I wouldn't do it personally. Why not sell the two items and buy the the aquafuge that has the attached skimmer from CPR.

 

Because that fuge is $279.00! No way I'd come close to that selling what I'm using now.

 

Plus the fuge with the skimmer is 3.5" wide rather than 4.5" so you would be losing just as much volume by putting your slim skim in the one you already have. (too lazy to verify total volumes but I do remember seeing that width difference.

 

I'm not concerned with loosing volume really. The skimmer takes up a lot of viable space intank and with all the surface flow I've got going on, trying to battle the surface protein. I just don't think the skimmer is being utilized to the best of its ability. The flow seems to be pushing the water right past the skimmers intake vents.