So it was finally time to upgrade my skimmer.
I lazily let my Reef Octopus 1000INT ride for as long as I could, with a few modifications to enhance skimmate output.
But my water quality and clarity was suffering, damn filamentous hair algea was unsightly lingering in the water column, and all over the rocks and sand, driving me absolutely nuts.
I upgraded to a Reef Octopus 5000SS and holy crap is this thing huge! I can literally fit the reaction chamber over my head.
I love the space saver design puts the pump in the skimmer and the whole thing can be fully broken down for cleaning.
With the new purchase I decided to make some modifications to my 20G Rubbermaid Tote skimmer compartment.
I'll me replacing the Tote with my old 29G custom sump I previously used on my 75G system to use as a full mechanical filter system.
My two 1-1/4" drain lines from my 180 will empty into the first chamber of the sump, where I'll add various media in filter bags.
From there water will continue through two baffles with a 1" gap where I'll have packed with filter floss blankets, and then continue to the main skimmer chamber.
I need to remove an old baffle from my previous design and also I'll be drilling two openings in the bottom of the tank for stand pipes to control the water level accurate in the chamber for the skimmer, which will then drain into my 150G refigium.
Its a 29G Aqueon tank so the bottom is not tempered! My GFO reactor can easily mount to the side of the tank as well.
My hope is through various filter media, pads, continued GFO phosphate removal, the upgraded skimmer, continued vodka dosing, and continued manual removal I can FINALLY and BRUTALLY murder this god damn hair algae which has single handedly been the bane of my very existence!