Skimmer height and a homemade stand

[alan mcilvried]

I want to upgrade my skimmer, but my homemade stand only has 24" clear height. Hindsight's 20/20, but that's what I have. Take away 1/2" for the the thickness of the bottom of my sump and I'm at 23.5" - jammed tight. I think I have to eliminate everything that's over 22".

 

75 gallon tank, 20 gallon sump. (Although I could change the sump.) Fish only, and will probably stay that way, but not certain. I've been fighting ich, and fish-only makes it easy to catch fish and rearrange the tank. This experience makes me really think hard about adding corals (But that's another story)

 

1) I'm looking at the Aqua C EV 120 or 180 because they're only 20" high. Euroreef RS80 and Octopus NW150 both list at 22", (Although I've seen both also shown with a height of 23.5") At 22" is that enought to get at them to clean them? I think from what I've read that these should all be adequate for my tank.

 

2) Has anyone ever cut down the collection cup and the riser tube on a skimmer? Would lopping an inch off be detrimental to the performance generally?

 

3) I've read about hanging a HOB Aqua-C Remora skimmer on a sump. That would work in my case, but I'm concerned this might not be enough skimming for a fully stocked 75 some day.

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks

Al

[jamesbuf]

Have you considered a Tunze 9010?

[steveoutlaw]

Look at deltec. the APH525 would work well and give you room to grow.