I recently purchased a used 125 gallon acrylic tank and I’m using it as my first salt water tank. Being new to salt water tanks, I was oblivious to the entire idea of a sump and an overflow skimmer. The tank I bought is designed for dual canister filters. There are two pairs of intake and return located on the bottom of the tank, center (front to back), on both sides, (left to right). They are right in the middle of the tank and look horrible. I’ve tried to cover them with rock, but I suspect that’s going to mess with the water flow.
I now realize that I’d much prefer to have a sump and overflow. Unfortunately, I have not only begun cycling and stocking the tank, but I had it built into a wall in my home, so it’s not going to be a simple thing to replace at this point.
Is it reasonable to retrofit an overflow skimmer and sump on a tank that has already been plumbed using bottom drains like this? I can relocate the few fish I have and empty the tank if need be. Honestly, if I can’t retrofit the tank, I’ll probably replace it, but that’s going to be a nightmare and I’d prefer to avoid it.
I should mention that because of how it was built into the wall, I don’t think a HOB overflow is doable. The tank has a built in acrylic lid surrounding the top of the tank. Then there is about 6 inches of wood directly above the tank surrounding the entire tank.
Thanks for any suggestions.
I now realize that I’d much prefer to have a sump and overflow. Unfortunately, I have not only begun cycling and stocking the tank, but I had it built into a wall in my home, so it’s not going to be a simple thing to replace at this point.
Is it reasonable to retrofit an overflow skimmer and sump on a tank that has already been plumbed using bottom drains like this? I can relocate the few fish I have and empty the tank if need be. Honestly, if I can’t retrofit the tank, I’ll probably replace it, but that’s going to be a nightmare and I’d prefer to avoid it.
I should mention that because of how it was built into the wall, I don’t think a HOB overflow is doable. The tank has a built in acrylic lid surrounding the top of the tank. Then there is about 6 inches of wood directly above the tank surrounding the entire tank.
Thanks for any suggestions.