Skimmer for a 20 Hex (LFS Victim)

[JasonF]

Hello all, yet another victim of my local fish store in buying off bad info. I should have waited until I learned more about the hobby, but oh well. Anyway, I need some help with my 20 hex they sold me. Tank as is, as seen here. It has about a 2" crushed coral base, a power head running an UG filter, and a airstone in a carbon bag filter. I have a common clown, a three spot damsel, 5 asterias, 10 bluelegs, some mushrooms, and a brain. My question is this. I would like to add a protein skimmer but am limited in space, due to the hex configuration. My idea was either a remora, or a CPR backpack. The available space in the hood, is 2" by 8". Wall clearance can be improved. A pic of the top. Oh, I have a 32 watt 50/50 smart light in the hood.

If anyone can give me some pointers on the skmmer end, or just in general, it would be appreciated. Oh, I'm already planning a 58 done the right way

.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[wnfaknd]

what a shame you followed the LFS advice, your tank setup with the UGF and the crushed coral is just not the best way to go with.
i would recommend the remora over the CPR, it will skim a bit more.
you can find size info at http://www.marinedepot.com/a_ps_ac_remora_info.asp?CartId=

if it will fit go ahead and get it.

 

[ZeroMaintenance]

Rip out the UG filter and crushed coral. It's a recipe for a sewer. Get some live sand and a sump for your new skimmer to go in the stand if you can find one that will fit. You will need a return pump and overflow box too. Your live rock will help alot to make your current setup more forgiving though.

-just what I would do, maybe not you-

 

[JasonF]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote

Your live rock will help alot to make your current setup more forgiving though.

Can you believe the original store told me not to use live rock

? I swear, I will not listen to a retailer again. The nice thing about online bbs, is the people answering the questions, aren't trying to sell you something. The advice is generaly a lot better.

 

[ZeroMaintenance]

You can't blame your LFS for wanting to make some money selling suff to fix your tank and replace dead stuff... LOL it's all you can do now.

-Screw me once, your fault. Screw me twice, my fault.-

 

[Rich-n-poor]

I used an under gravel and crushed coral set up for 5 years and while the tank did well I would recommend removing both>
Ask yourself this question What happens to all the gunk that gets trapped under that filter plate ? how do you remove it ?
The main reason behind this is your nitrate level will constantly rise as the tank ages in causing an ever present algea bloom UCK !
lose the plate filter and put down a bed os live sand PLEASE IM BEGGING YOU PLEASE