HOB Skimmer Options

[jeffopentax]

Here's the situation: I have a 135g with no sump.  The thought of emptying tank to drill, is well, unthinkable!  I definitely need a skimmer, and will have to go hob or in tank.  Turns out I only have 3.5" between my tank and the wall.  I see the Super Reef Octopus LX1000S requires 4". To use it would also require me to essentially empty my tank to move it.  So, I'm looking for suggestions or skimmer recommendations that will solve my issue.  Seems there isn't one, hoping you can prove me wrong!

 

[Salty Cracker]

I struggled with a non-drilled tank for a long time, maybe 7 years. I do have to say that if I knew then what I now, I would have done what needed to be done to get a drilled tank and sump. You're going to end up with a whole lot of crazy going into your DT (heaters, skimmers, dosers, reactors, pumps etc etc).

As an option what about a hob overflow and run a sump that way?

 

[dale]

i think you are very limited,, i would suggest emptying half way then very gently move the tank away from the wall an inch...
my hob overflow boxes require 5 in from the wall,, i have 2 on my 5ft 100g and im turning about 1000gph,, so a sump may be possible for you
the reef octopus bh2000 skimmer on my reef tank also requires 4in clearance
and if you were going to use that skimmer i would go for the LX2000s

 

[jeffopentax]

I struggled with a non-drilled tank for a long time, maybe 7 years. I do have to say that if I knew then what I now, I would have done what needed to be done to get a drilled tank and sump. You're going to end up with a whole lot of crazy going into your DT (heaters, skimmers, dosers, reactors, pumps etc etc).

As an option what about a hob overflow and run a sump that way?

This seems like a possible course of action.  As a starting point, these overflows only require 3" tank to wall clearance.  What do you think?
http://www.eshopps.com/products/overflowboxes/pf800/

 

[Salty Cracker]

I used one very much like that, and the problem for me was that it would sometimes lose suction and fail, and in power outaes it never started back up.  If there is one with some sort of electric assist it would be better (not sure if they make them).

 

[dale]

my cpr brand hob overflows work great, can turn power off on no prob.. but need 5" clearance..
they use an aqualifter pump to keep them running smooth...

 

[jeffopentax]

Looks like the eshopps overflows are the only ones that will fit between my tank and wall.  Less than $100 at aquariumsupplies.ca .  Going to have to give some serious consideration to running a sump this way.  Still open to other possibilities.  No such thing as simple solutions in this salty world!

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

these are what i used  with old tank with no holes and put a sump down on floor  ..i had one then i cracked it then got another one ..dale got them from me when i went new tank with holes  ..here are them at brs...http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/deluxe-cpr-continuous-siphon-overflows.html

 

[jeffopentax]

these are what i used  with old tank with no holes and put a sump down on floor  ..i had one then i cracked it then got another one ..dale got them from me when i went new tank with holes  ..here are them at brs...http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/deluxe-cpr-continuous-siphon-overflows.html

They were mentioned earlier, but i only have 3" between tank and wall, so won't fit.

 

[Boga]

Isn't drilling a glass little bit risky? If it craks when half full, then you have a big problem. Have you considered to buy a drilled one same size and then sell this one?

 

[jeffopentax]

Not planning on drilling.  Question was how to run skimmer/sump without drilling or moving tank.

 

[Boga]

Is hang on a side an option for your situation?  It is not looking pretty, but ...

I had a overflow box on my old system. Like Salty said, if I knew what I know now, I would have made the change sooner to drilled.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

 

[pulpfiction1]

i have drilled running tanks,can be risky ,empty 6 inches and use a powerhead for water cooling

 

[jeffopentax]

My plan is to run a sump via overflow box (eshopps pf-1200, as it should fit in the 3" i have between my tank and wall).  Any suggestions on a return pump?  Does anyone have a suitable pump for sale?

 

[dale]

i would suggest 2 overflow boxes as you dont want to max out the 1 and also 2 is way safer in terms of potential problems...and a waterblaster 5000 or jaebo 5000 or up to the 10000s of either model for running multiple reactors...