Bear may be getting salty again

onefish2fish

its going to require a canopy to keep the lights in because even the lights would prob. get in the way on an intank skimmer.

i also suggested my way because by the time to water got skimmed, went thru the fuge, then back to the tank there shouldnt be much of any microbubbles. im not fully sure though and a bubble trap may actually still be needed.

bearwithfish

dont get me wrong i like your idea and i am trying to blend the two basic concepts into one that works for what i am looking for... as for the bubble trap i thought it was implied :) ... i would have one just for the fact it would help to keep track of the water level..

a canopy huh? hmmm i had not really given that much thought.. i would have to build in fans if i did one though as my lights dont have one built in.... i found a cool fan buld out of computer fans that costs like $4 so that should not be an issue...

the thoughts continue...

oh hey what about a backpack style skimmer but used in tank? it narrow enough to sit along the back and still be out of the way....

onefish2fish

the computer fans would work, have them blow air in, not out to get the most out of their life. ive also used a table fan on tanks and found them more effective. if you see my build i just left the back side of my canopy open ( with plastic mesh ) for air flow. i dont have my actual lights in yet so im going to add a fan only if and when needed. ( the good thing is i have the option if needed to blow the fan over my lights/top surface of water, which is more effective or fan the sump surface of water, which is out of the way. )

the hang on skimmer but hung on to be in the tank, in one of those compartments would be cool. just read online reviews about these skimmers before purchase.

not saying you have to go with any of my ideas, just trying to get your head thinking.

bearwithfish

and that is why i respect your opinions.... not to mention that looking at an issue from as many angles as possible creates the best possible outcome..

kaxt

I have been thinking about doing the same thing. A couple of months ago I bought a 40g breeder and started to build a stand that would hold a 20L for a sump. I finished building the stand and decided that I wanted to have more storage room in the stand than the sump was going to allow so I started to think about AIO.

I drew this a while ago, it's pretty similar to teh drawings already posted, but I figured I'd share. The compartment for the skimmer will be 8 x 5 inches, and the next two compartments will be 5 x6. Because each section is so small I plan on having the bubble trap baffles go under over under to make sure that the water flows through each section instead of just over the top. I like OF2F's rock/foam wall, so I worked that idea into my design as well.

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bearwithfish

i really like that lay out as well.. nicely done!!.. only issues as stated above is i am attempting to remin all within the tank and nothing hangin off... also trying to accomodate this with a cover ..

so i have modified based on all of these issues... sketched it p on a note pad and think its fairly solid... here goes

have the over flow chamber house the skimmer pump and run that into the next "section" which will be the actual skimmer this will out flow into the same area as the skimmer and have a sponge on the outlet to reduce bubbles.. further right next to this out let a bubble trap and then flow into the heater/return pump chamber.....
i will use the legs for the lights but instead of a glass top i will use a plexi top with cut outs to accommodate the legs, skimmer top and wires etc.. this will also have a trap door cut into it for adding or removing things as well as feeding. this will eliminate the need to remove the cover or hinge it which would be a pain due to the lights etc.
this cover will have to have a few reinforcing strips to prevent bowing under the heat of the lights but i think if i use nylon screws to hold them in place on the rim this issue will be overcome... considering the size of the tank i think a skimmer like a coralife 65 would be ample (or perhaps the one from Odessa as i like their products.) this is of course if i cannot find (or make ) a pack pack style one that is configured the way i want it..

bearwithfish

small change in plans i just got in touch with the guy and its going to be a 30 breeder .. a little shorter but i think better for what i am trying to accomplish :) negotiating the deal now and trying to get a few more things tossed in .. i am trading heavy but i want to get a good deal..

bearwithfish

does any one have the inner dementions of a 30 breeder? i am considering the pieces to make my false wall and had a great idea but first i need to know the actual measurements..

OF - i may be going with the wall all the way across .. just need to see if the glass i have will fit correctly.. then the only issue is getting a few cuts or holes in it.. (free or cheep LOL)

onefish2fish

i think i would wait until i got the actual tank for the final measurements. different manufacturers may be slightly different.

bearwithfish

hmm true .. had not thought of that.. ok well with luck it will be in the next day or two..