skimmer for 45?

[BIGgourami]

what's a good skimmer for a 45 gal SW?
i haven't really been using skimmer on the smaller tanks cause the freq. of the WC i feel remove enough, and so far i have been correct. so i will stick with what i know works untill i can get some do-re-mi.
the 45 however i think is going to be too big and it will be too expensive and not cost effective to justy do WC's (althought im trying to talk the folks into an RO unit for the house.) and with my inexerience in them, what kind (brand, model, etc) would you recomend? i'd like to try and stick to impeller driven instead of airstone cause i don't really feel like changing stones.
any and all advise is greatly aprecciated

 

[sprayin70]

Well I would go with a nice needle wheel. A octopus is a good choice great quality and decent price or a euro reef if thats in the cards. IF not then maybe a ASM G2 or G1. They are always a good choice. I would buy a HOB overflow and add a sump to put the skimmer and heater etc in. It will make life so much easier. I think CPR makes a great HOB overflow for smaller tanks.

 

[BIGgourami]

for the over flow, how do i make it?
i get the general idea but how do i get it to overflow without over flowing the whole tank? if that makes any sense.

 

[sprayin70]

Let me grab a link. the one I am posting is better IN MY OPINION. I like the style. I do not like u tube overflows.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=CR1511

The water level will only drop as low as the box. When the power comes on the aqualifter pulls water up forming a suction that will start the overflow.

 

[BIGgourami]

i actually have a design in mind (one boring day in study hall) and i just need to know how yo make the overflow box the lowest point on the top of the tank, so it doesn't just spill over from the everywhere.
it's going to be passive so that the tank and sump won't overfill, there's only one pump and it runs to the tank from the sump so when the power's out it won't overfill.

 

[Nic]

coral life and aquamedic make good skimmers

 

[sprayin70]

It is really up to you on the depth of the box. Just make sure that you return pump matches your drain or you will have problems. The aqualifter is just for starting the overflow. It has nothing to do with sending or returning the water. Another way to do it is go to home depot and buy some glass. Then grab some aquatic silly cone. LOL and build a 4 sided box. well 3 sides and a biottom. then drill the bottom and add a bulkhead fitting. Then put it up to the back of your tank and trace out where the open side of the box touches. You cut that with a glass dremel bit. Once you do that you can use the silly cone to glue to box u built to the tank. You are only cutting like a 3rd of the way down on the main tank. Then you put some type of mesh. I like egg crate and that skims the surface. Then your done. Sound hard but cutting glass is easy with a dremel. Just buy the diamond bit kit.