Setup/connection of protein skimmer

[mattstr]

Hi everyone. I apologize in advance, because this is probably going to be a very newbie post. Been running a 29 gallon FOWLR tank for about 4 months now, and am gradually upgrading things and trying to get better equipment, learn more, etc etc. I'm VERY much a newbie, but ultimately want to "do things right" and be successful in this hobby.

Current setup:
29 gallon
1 Penguin 280 and 1 Penguin 150 hang on back filters
2x65 watt compact fluorescent 50/50 lights
30 lbs of fiji live rock
150 watt heater
2 Rio 50 powerheads

I've come to understand that the hang-on-the-back filters are bad for saltwater setups and should be avoided. A few days ago I acquired a used Aqua-Medic T1000 protein skimmer and an overflow box. This should be a step in the right direction. However, I have no sump at present, and am contemplating how to best get the protein skimmer integrated.

I thought about just running large tubing down from the overflow box, directly into the skimmer water input, and sending it out of the skimmer to a large pump and back up to the tank. However, I did additional research and found that (apparently?) you're not supposed to run this particular protein skimmer just "sitting on the floor".

Will I definetly need a sump, versus connecting it in a manner like I've described above? I've looked at some DIY plans and feel comfortable building one...and it would be nice to hide the heater and whatnot in the sump.

With the sump, would I just set the T1000 right into the first chamber of the sump, partially underwater, base and all?

Thanks for any assistance with this...I would really appreciate some thoughts/ideas/etc.

-Matt

[Carlos]

The skimmer hangs from the sump with the main body of the skimmer outside and the pump inside the sump pushing water inside the skimmer and then returning the water to the sump over the top.

Fairly easy to work with.

All HOB (hang on back) skimmers are not bad. Actually CPR skimmers and the Remora Pro are excellent skimmers for a tank your size.

Carlos

[Criminal#58369]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

HOB filters are not bad you can convert it to a fuge and put chaeto in it and put a light over it.

[mattstr]

Thanks for the replies. I was looking at the skimmer again last night and contemplating a sump design again that will fit into the relatively small space that I have available.

As far as putting the skimmer outside the sump, but the pump inside the sump, that's going to be a challenge. I wanted to use a 10g glass tank for the sump since the main tank is only 29g, and I have a few spare 10g tanks sitting around. I've never drilled glass before.

The T1000 turboflotor has to have two connections to the Rio 2100 pump, one straight in and one that bends 90 degrees above the pump and goes in. So...I'd have to drill two holes in the side of the 10g tank in close proximity. This sounds like a disaster waiting to happen for a newbie.

Would it really be bad to set the whole skimmer and pump assembly into the sump? It looks like the bottom of the skimmer has silicon sealant in all joints and I'm not sure how it would damage the skimmer body itself to be sitting in water.

Or...if that's not an option, could I make a PVC assembly that goes up and over the sump from the Rio pump, and down into the skimmer connections, without drastically affecting flow/efficiency of the skimmer?

Drilling those two holes a couple inches from eachother, having never drilled glass, just can't be good...lol.

Hopefully I'm not becoming too annoying...appreciate the feedback very much.

Thanks,
Matt

[pattibird1]

Tagging along on this one.

I also a newbie, have gotten myself an in sump skimmer from a reefer that no longer needed it. Because of that the instructions and the pump are not included. So my question is how do I set it up in my sump. Detailed pictures would help alot. I have a 135 gal. tank with a 30 gal. sump.

Today I bought all the pvc and connectors that I thought I would need but forgot about the plumbing to the skimmer. Thank God I haven't glued anything yet.

Please help.

[Percula9]

The turbo is designed for both hang on and in sump use. Don't drill the tank and is not necessary. Just set it up in the sump and turn it on.

[Percula9]

Pattibird1

Tell me or send me a picture of the type of skimmer it is. Then I could recommend a pump to run it. If you plan on using PVC to run the return line from the sump, don't just glue you need to use PVC primer first then glue. Dry fit the pieces first to make sure everything fits. Primer softens the PVC so the glue bonds better. Primer allows you to move the connection a little before the glue completely bonds.

[pattibird1]

here's the link to the skimmer I googled it
https://www82.safesecureweb.com/webaquatics/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ACS150&Category_Code=ACA&iorb=4764