Skimmer Questions

[fraggle]

All,
Been doing a lot of DIY reading because I feel the need to build things even when not needed. I have noticed many different types of skimmers (i.e venturi, Euro-type, Beckett, down-draft). What are the differences? Are all of these just the same called different things by different people or are there that many different variations?

Thanks
Chris

[crab0000]

They are different variations. Basically they all deal with the different ways air is drawn into the skimmer. Needlewheels use a modified impeller in the pump to draw air in and chop it into a fine mixture. Becketts use a pretty big pump and use suction of water rushing by in a stream to pull air in. I think venturis and downdrafts work on the same principal as becketts.
Steve

[Dingo]

The different names just describe how they make bubbles. Sometimes you need a different shape because of your bubble making method. They all seem to work.

[fraggle]

Are there any preferences to one from another?

[crab0000]

Sure, but they differ from person to person. You have to look at the pros and cons of each kind and determine what is most important to you, then make the decision. I'm sorry that is a vague answer, but more than likely if you ask ten people their preference in a skimmer you will get ten different answers. I will say though that after using most kinds of skimmers I am partial to needlewheels (EuroReef in particular).
Steve

[yardboy]

I have a Euroreef(needlewheel), an MRC(Beckett), an UrchinC (spray induction) and made one out of coke & juice bottles (venturi), all work, but choices are in sizes of tank skimmed, ease of cleaning, oh, and price!

Funny, though there are some that work quite well, there are many that don't work worth a hoot!

[reefworried124]

Okay, I am new at this, but let me give it a try.....here goes nothin...

Okay the productivity of a protein skimmer largely depends on the time the bubbles remain in the protein skimmer. The longer the bubble floats around in your protein skimmer, the more efficiently it can aquire organic matter or the longer the bubble stays in the water, the more waste is collected. Now, although some protein skimmers have different methods, many proffessionals suggest that the counter current protein skimmer is the most productive of them all. A counter current skimmer works by providing a downward current (or any current opposite of bubbles) to the bubbles that are injected in the bottom of the skimmer and rise to the top, so the bubbles have to struggle against the current to reach the top and therefore spend more time in the water and collect more organic waste. Now what that venturi injector does, is provide a greater quantity of smaller bubbles (smaller bubbles have also been proven to be more efficient than larger ones) in a circular motion inside the protein skimmer. Venturi injectors can be powered by a waterpumps or powerheads, just make sure that you get one with either a diffuser (the part that makes the bubbles) that is either easy to clean, or doesn't ever need to be cleaned.

So, in short-
Mr. Venturi injector:My name is Mr. Venturi and I make bubbles and push them into your protein skimmer in a circle.....
Mr.Countercurrent: I am Mr.Countercurrent and I hate your bubbles and try to force them down.
Mr.Venturi Injector: Oh yeah?
Mr. Countercurrent: yeah!
Mr. Venturi Injector: Well Mr. Law of physics is on my side, and he says the bubble must go to the top sometime!
Mr.LawofPhysics: leave me out of this.
Mr.Venturi Injector: and the more you force my bubbles down, the more organic waste they collect for Mr. Waste Chamber to pick up.
Mr. Countercurrent: well at least I didn't cry at the end of field of dreams.
Mr.Venturi Injector: That doesn't have anything to do with protein skimming Countercurrent! And I thought we agreed that we would not talk about that anyway!

[ObsessiveProgression]

Downdraft skimmers have the potential to process the largest ammounts of water. I am currently building a 30 gallon Venturi/Bioball downdraft skimmer that is going to process 2000 gallons of water per hour. So it will cycle all the water in the tank 6 times per hour.