Skimmer recommendation for short stand

[lutz123]

I have the Marineland 200dd and the stock stand has an inside height of around 25-26 inches. I am toying with just putting the sump behind the wall but would prefer to keep this easy. Are there any options, internal or external, that would fit and be able to remove the cup? Water depth is something I need to conside if going in sump. I just really don't know where to begin. I have looked at a few, but thought I would reach out and see if anyone has any ideas. I am not interested in over-skimming. As long as it can reasonably handle 250 gallons it should be fine.

[YHSublime]

If you have the ability to put the sump behind the wall... it may sound complicated now, but in the long run... what a treat.

 

I've never been a fan of the marineland stands, but that is just me, at 6'2, I feel like they are super low.

[pizzaguy]

I have the 200 dd as well. Do yourself a huge favor and put all the equipment behind the wall. It us a pita to do anything

[pizzaguy]

BTW I use the bubble magus bm220. Incredible skimmer. Extremely hard to get skimmer out of sump but cup comes out fairly easy

[Apcoleman]

I went with a Reef Octopus DC250SS for under my 250DD and I have been very happy with it.  I still went ahead and had 1/4" removed from the collection cup to make sure I had enough room to remove the cup.  Its still a tight fit but anything under that stand will be.  If I could have gone external I would have but it was not an option in my case.

[lutz123]

Good suggestions - I will look into both of those.  I am hesitant on the behind the wall option because of the "project" aspect of that.  I never had this tank even slightly on the horizon so, as a surprise setup, holes in the wall is something I am trying to avoid.  However, the tank actually backs up to a wall where basement stairs are directly behind it.  As far as I know, it's just empty wasted space.  I'm not sure how high the area is.  I could go behind and to the side very easily because there is already a little alcove/bench area but this is a reef-ready tank and I don't know if having the sump too far away to the side is a good idea.  And our house sump pump sits nearby as well.  It sure would be nice to have water changes go directly there.  

 

Of course, I am still debating even keeping this tank because I have an empty 75 gallon sitting in my living room that I still want to finish setting up.

 

Maybe I should just trade both for a size in between that's already planned out!

[tpallas]

Old school Tunze