sump-less skimmer

[tang daddy]

if space is an issue and you can't fit a sump into the design then why not go skimmerless just a 25% wc every week will be fine seeing that you only have softies it shouldn't be a problem, although the problem I see is surface gunk when I had a tank without sump the top surface of water was always chalky white I tried everything to rid it but with no success!

If I were you I would do a hang on over flow with a sump on the side of your tank. I would build a shelf/cabinet just to the side of the tank and fit a 33g sump that way the sump is concealed and you can put some stuff on the shelf like a tv or some flowers whatever....