Protein Skimmers

[whompuscat]

I just lucked up on this site from Google Search looking for a SeaClone skimmer. I have recently aquired a 100 gallon tank and my limited knowledge has me puzzled regarding installation of the SeaClone skimmer, which I have not yet purchased, but am considering doing so. In reading the downloaded instructions on the web, it said if you install in the sump that you needed a clearance of 20 inches from the sump to the base of the aquarium (I think I'm quoting that correctly). Not sure I understand this. I have a tank that has a section to put a protein skimmer, but it is surely not 20 inches deep. Can someone please help by telling me what it is talking about when it says a sump installation? I prefer not to install on the outside of the tank. Money is somewhat of an issue but I also do not want to throw away money buying something that is not going to do the job. I have a problem with nitrates/nitrites and this is my reason for considering a proteim skimmer. I currently have 6 fish, inverts, corals, brittle star, crabs and snails... concentrating on eventually making it a reef tank. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[on_fire_8]

They mean 20 inches from the bottom of the tank or sump to the top ledge that you will be hanging it from.

[whompuscat]

Thanks for the reply. Now I have another ?. I got a SeaClone skimmer and it will not fit in my sump or hand on the back. My sump is very small, approximately 3"x4". Any suggestions as to what type of skimmer will fit in that area? I do not have but approximately 2 1/2" clearance on the back. I have a Tenecor aquarium that has an acrylic top attached all around leaving very little space to hang a skimmer from the back. Price is still a concern and would like to keep it around or under $200. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[phistio]

if i understand correctly, the area in question would be referred to as your overflow, not sump.

[whompuscat]

Well actually according to the booklet it is my sump. If looking at the aquarium there is the sump on left, then the area to put the charcoal and then that flow over into the bio media, then on the far right is where my power heads are for the filter return, if that makes sense. Although the sump area looks large on the attached diagram, it actually slants back making the space approximately 3"x4", which is not very large at all.

[pr0nd3xtr]

I think phistio was talking about a sump which would reside under the tank. What kind of tank do you have? I would assume it has some kind of builtin overflow and filter? Can you take some pictures of it? In a sump setup, the water from the tank would run down and overflow to the sump underneath the tank, the skimmer would reside in it, then the water would be pumped back in the tank. Here is a picture of a sump under a tank:

http://www.solidfunk.com/reeftank/images/sump.jpg

[whompuscat]

Well I would love to post a picture but have no idea how to on this site. I tried attaching the diagram from my instructions but guess it didn't. However, this is the site that shows a picture of the aquarium I have but does not give the deminisions of the chambers.

http://www.tenecor.com/teneviewsimplicity.php

[phistio]

you can upload picture from your computer using the "attach file" radio button in the "post a reply" screen...locate the file from your computes hard drive by selecting "browse", then select "open" and the file has been attached as soon as you post the reply it will automatically upload to the forum.

now, to clarify you have what's called a "reef ready" tank, in that it has built in over flows. Tenecor also has what they call "Simplicity Plus Internal Filtration." this very same type concpet is how my 25 is setup, if you have the Simplicity Plus setup than you do infact have a sump of sorts. i have a custom made skimmer that sits in my 4" wide "sump". but a hang on such as an AquaC "remora pro (http://www.proteinskimmer.com/products/Remora.htm)" might fit nicely over the bracing of your tank to do the job...