Skimmer in Bucket or something of the likes?

[Ph4Y5e]

I havent got the right conditions to run a proper sump... and i dont have an overflow either..... got a HOT skimmer at the moment.

If i wanted to upgrade to an insump type skimmer later...can i just put the output of a cannister filter into a bucket or simliar...then chuck the skimmer in that... then have a return pump to pump back into the tank?

if it is... then what would the return pump have to be rated at...? the same as the output of the cannister? more? less?

thanks...

[fishflyer]

You could do that but I would not recommend it. If you were to have the return pump fail then you could flood the bucket because the canister filter would keep filling it. Or if the canister filter failed then your return pump would run dry which would not be as bad because you could just replace your pump instead of fixing a bunch of water damage. If you do want to up grade you can make a DIY overflow for around $10-$20 then run that to a cheap rubbermade container with your skimmer in that with the return that would be the cheapest rout.