Skimmers for a low water level sump

[Hofstadter]

I have a minireef 150, and I am constructing a list of possible upgrades. Currently I am working on the skimmer. My problem is that my sump water level is...kinda low. It is currently running a g216 aqua one which hangs on the sides. But might be interested in something more quiet if i cant mod it.

 

[windemerejack]

iirc Tunze skimmers go as low as 5.5"

 

[maroun.c]

Maybe an external skimmer, placed in the sump. Then sump water height isn't an issue anymore

 

[WallyB]

I had a similar issue during a Brief Tank Setup. Skimmer too tall in a mini sump.

I put a taller, but narrow container into the Sump that would fit the Skimmer. Also fit into my mini sump.
I ran a small maxijet pump to pump water into the container, and the skimmer would run nicely.
The pump running would overflow the container, but excess water flowed back into the lower water height sump.

No issues of ever over filling the sump.

If for some reason the maxijet fail, the container was still full, and skimmer would continue to run properly

If no maxijet, then some way to pump the Tank Drain into the container.

Not sure if this an option for you.

 

[Hofstadter]

iirc Tunze skimmers go as low as 5.5"

I think i found an option around that height, the deltec 600i. Seems to have a 14 cm..or 5.5 inch height.

 

[windemerejack]

I have a Deltec 1000i on one of my tanks and its a fantastic skimmer, you wont be disappointed if you decide on a Deltec.

 

[Hofstadter]

A tunze 9410 might be able to fit as well. Though its....toight. 25x18 cm specs according to https://www.thetechden.com.au/collections/protein-skimmers/products/tunze-doc-skimmer-9410
Though im unsure if the top is wider than the base. Where the 18 cm comes from

 

[windemerejack]

Either will do the job perfectly well

 

[ca1ore]

Or you could just put an overflow box into the sump. I’ve done this before to accommodate finicky skimmers.

 

[Hofstadter]

Can I ask what do mean by that. How does that work