New FOWLR tank protein skimmer question

[schwapm]

So I am in the process of converting, or rather, dismantling my FW 46 gallon bow front and reassembling it in a SW configuration. One of the key pieces of equipment that I will need is a protein skimmer. It seems that a HOB skimmer will work just fine but I was wondering if anyone knows of a good skimmer that is external that did not need to be installing in a sump (I am using my old eheim 2217 for filtration). I have enough cabinet room and I would like to hide the skimmer in the cab, but I do not want to go through the expense of modding my tank for sump use. Are there any skimmers out there that use a similar design to a canister filter, where there is a water inlet and outlet that connect to a device (in this case a skimmer) that is concealed in the cab? Any suggestions would be great. I am also trying to keep the cost of the skimmer under $200.

[scarface70706]

Reef octopus has some nice skimmers.

[TheFishTeen]

Originally Posted by scarface70706

Reef octopus has some nice skimmers.

+1 on the reef octopus. Awesome stuff.

[Everyones Hero]

If you don't want a sump I think you're going to be limited to a HOB skimmer. Like the other posters have said- Reef Octopus makes good skimmers.

Because of how skimmers operate I don't think you'd be able to set one up to work with a canister filter. Even a recirculating skimmer would likely overflow if it was fed by the drain/siphon line of the filter & it would definitely overflow if you hooked it up to the return side of the skimmer.

[wildman926]

Originally Posted by schwapm

I do not want to go through the expense of modding my tank for sump use.

Why do you think this? An overflow box does not mod your tank. I don't like putting holes in a tank, so I use an overflow box.

I also use the Herbie method, which is using 2 drains, and one is slightly taller than the other, with the main drain having a full siphon affect, makeing it dead silent.

Going this route will allow you to have your sump, and an internal skimmer giving you more choices of skimmers.

Octobus BH-1000 or 2000 is a very nice skimmer for HOB. The Eshopps PSK-75 or 100 (?) is good also.

Here is a pic of my Herbie setup for reference. I use plastic screen and a bio ball to ensure nothing clogs them. In the pic, the farthest one is the full siphon using a ball valve, and the near one is the emergency overflow, wide open to make noise, in the event the main one ever clogs, but using the screen and bio ball should prevent that.