switching skimmers

[Skimmerking]

hey theredoug i m going to pick up a 72 gal bow front from ewen if he can build me the corner tank .as for the skimmers what about the skimmers ,ii'm going with a sumpless how can i do that ..

[Doug]

Oh yea, forgot sumpless. Nevermind then.

[Skimmerking]

well i guess i'm going with the 72 bow.
It there a way that can run a euro reef Doug
are ya going to help me do the switch over

Mike

[Doug]

Well, if you want my opinion. The Euroreef needs a sump. As for hang-ons, they are no where as efficient as your beckett and most times are a pain. Running over your floor.

You can run the beckett, direct from the tank and return it the same. Remember how mine was. Build a higher cabinet beside the main tank.

However, your problem is reducing evaporation and humidity. My idea to run sumpless, is with no skimmer. Keep the tank size small enough for easy water changes and the easy addition of a 2-part calcium supplement. Lots of rock and a low fish population, like the smaller wrasses, that require less feeding, will keep the water quality good, without skimming. Also the growth of some harvestable calerpas will help.

[StirCrazy]

you can cut down on the evaporation to air from a skimmer another way.. it is a bit harder but well worth it for ease of maintaining water quality. all you need to do is install a lengthened line on the air outlet of your skimmer (mine is actulay the vent on my colection container) and then run this outside so all the air that leaves you skimmer throught foam production is directly vented outside or to another area.

Steve

[Skimmerking]

i guess i could use a small rubber maid container to use for the sump we will have to get together to figure this one out ,as for now im going to have 2 IC 660
one i guess for the tank i just might hold on the other one for the 280 in the future i guess.
any way i have to convince the boss on the sump if its small I think she might go for it..

cross your fingers..

LATER
MIKE

[Doug]

Hi Steve,
Cant do that with a Euroreef, as it vents through several holes in the lid. Stinks to.

My suggestion of no sump, is to cut down the evaporation from the extra water volume and the air/water mix feeding the sump. Not to mention the elimination of a return pump.

My idea for making the tank more simple, {skimmerless for one}, is to make it more user friendly, which is important when one is away from home frequently. {Mike for example, }

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Doug Lowey

Hi Steve,
Cant do that with a Euroreef, as it vents through several holes in the lid. Stinks to.

to easy Modify it

Originally Posted by Doug Lowey

My suggestion of no sump, is to cut down the evaporation from the extra water volume and the air/water mix feeding the sump. Not to mention the elimination of a return pump.

if you use a rubermaid as a sump with a lid on it there is nill evaporation.. just ask my poor mantis shrim that is still in one in the garage

Steve

[Doug]

He uses a sealed 55g Rubbermaid now. His 280 is completely covered, but cooled with end fans.

Not sure how much a 70,s surface area and a sump, will cut down on evaporation. Agreed the smaller sealed sump would work. However if the Euroreef is to be used, then it still needs a hole cut in it for the skimmer to stick out.

However, that may be a better option than an open back with power filters. I figure that will be about the same evaporation. I also wonder if the open back will alleviate the need for cooling fans, for vho lighting and if it will be less evaporation that way.

Whatcha think Mike.

[StirCrazy]

hmmm if you wanted to seal it up you could also cut the hole in the sump lid for the skimmer and the build a cover over that with a vent line going to another location. (just tossin out ideas, the more the easyer to decide usaly hehe)

Steve