Convert Hang On Fuge to Hang On Sump?

[MizTanks]

Most of you know I'm running the CPR 3.3g Aquafuge. Spec's are: Water Capacity: 3.60 Gallons
Dimensions: 19" L x 4.5" W x 12" T

Here's what I've been thinking of doing....Turning the fuge into a sump only so I can put the skimmer in side of it. Skimmer specs are: 12" X 3" X 3.33 recommended water level is 11"

I can't help but think that the skimmer would be better utilized in this manner. ( It looks horrible in my tank) I'd also be able to change my intake pump to that of a mj900 or less and add a Fluval surface skimmer to that.

My biggest concern? Can/will my tank run successfully without a refugium? Will the LR, skimmer and chemical filtration be enough?

[MizTanks]

Bump! Anybody?

[Tom@HaslettMI]

Go for it. If in a few months you feel like it's not working as well then you can switch back.

Personally, I like having both a fuge and a skimmer but if I could only have one... it would be a good skimmer. I also strongly dislike having a bunch of equipment showing in the tank! So, it sounds like a good idea to me.

Tom

[Chris]

Could u reduce the size of the fuge and have both or maybe ditch the chemical filtration/ put it in a HOB reactor to free up some space?

[jimsflies]

I hate to ask this question, but is the skimmer actually doing anything?

For the one ounce of skimmate a day, is it worth having it take up the space...what would a gallon of water change do compared to what the skimmer is removing?

[MizTanks]

I'm kind of wondering that myself Jim....the *tea* it does pull out though is pretty dark...not much in the way of chunks in the foam at all. I've head peoples talk about the nog having a very nasty smell...the stuff I'm getting out, has hardly any smell at all. So what? It's just pulling out dirty water? Would hate to throw $104 down the drain guess I'll think more on it If anything I'll remove it just because it looks like crap in my tank

[Chris]

Adjust the skimmer, play around with it a bit and change the settings.... ie. Try skimming a little dryer, u may just be skimming to wet, I know when I skim wetter it doesnt stink nearly as bad as when I skim dryer.... also unless its filling the skimmer collection cup, don't empty it daily (if you are emptying it daily.... just going off jims ounce a day comment), and when u clean it don't use your hands to clean it.

But too, you have a tiny tank and a tiny skimmer your "waste" isnt going to stink as bad as someone like myself with 15 fish and around 250g. So I wouldn't fully say the skimmer sucks because it dont stink, if your #s are good and its pulling junk from the water I would say for your tank it is doing the job, although it may not be needed if you wanted to do bigger/ more frequent water changes, but then your looking at possibly still having the same issue u have been having with the surface proteins!