I think I might follow your lead and just go with a Macro reactor and not try to futz with cutting the fuge chamber out. I just dry fit my RO 200INT SSS skimmer in and had plenty of room so that gives me confidence to mod the sock compartment and move that a few inches over to accommodate the Clarisea 5000.
Did you like the brand of Macro Reactor you went with?
So far but have a few reservations if it’s big enough. It’s growing but my phos and nitrates are gradually going up. It’s a new tank so we’ll see where it pans out. To bad you can’t just buy the reactor and save some money. I have it running off my return pump header. I wonder if a algae scrubber might be a better option. I am using an AWC for the first time and need to dail that in as well. Only one larger water change since Dec to stir/clean the sand bed.
Don’t forget pics and descriptions of your mods