Ya I like those skimmers but alas I don't have $900+ to spend right now. I guess I'll keep what I have until I save up for a better skimmer. Are these are only skimmers that have the pump on the inside or are there other brands as well?

I'm going to agree with those saying keep what you've got until you can afford a reasonable upgrade. Trading a decent skimmer like yours for a bargain brand which claims a higher capacity but doesn't work as well isn't a really good option.

Do a search over at reef central for the vertex skimmer club, I skimmed a few posts over there discussing replacing the pump and the MASSIVE difference it made in skimmate production. That might work out to be the most cost effective stop-gap measure for you. I can't recall if the In-80's were discussed or not.

Where does the 20" height restriction come from? Your stand? I can't imagine any skimmers rated for that size of a tank that would fit in there. I have an In-180 and I need at least 25" clearance. If it's the way the sump is designed you may have to bite the bullet and buy a new sump to fit a properly sized skimmer.

Do you have one or seen one in action? I run a mini on 240 gallon fish only and its a beast. Mini = compact for space. water is crystal clear and huge fish. Vertex are great skimmers as well I didnt mention it because of your space req.

Yes and I've been running a mini 200 for my 240gal fowlr system too for nearly 2 years but not quite satisfied with the result when compared with my other 140gal fish only system using the swc skimmer I recently bought.

Check out the Bubble Magus line. Some of them have small footprints.

yuppers 220 cone will do the Job.

Thanks but I found my skimmer already.

Check out the Aqua C these are good skimmers with a fairly small footprint, 6"x10" approx.

What did you end up getting?

I would normally recommend the BM or the SWC normally, I just bought a SWC 180 and I am wishing I had got the BM now I think. Still having a hell of a time dialing this skimmer in. Sometimes it works great and other times it doesnt, overflows sometimes and other times it puts way too many microbubbles in system. Water levels are controlled by ato and not an issue imo. If I can't lock this down soon I am going to put the old skimmer back in sump.:sad: