DIY skimmer for a 180 gallon

[OneDummHikk]

I have posted a website in the past that lists all the sizes but I am not at home so I can't post the link until I find it again. When I find it, will post it. But, whether you get cast or extruded will make a huge difference in the cost. The thickness of the acrylic will also make a difference in the price of the tube.

[HomerHriss]

I too am looking to make a skimmer. I am new to the aquarium "game" so i have few questions. What does aspects do height and girth have to do with the skimmer? I have been looking around, and although i am new at this, I though this DIY looked like a good. It is simple and not that refined, but should make a good sized skimmer.

I am looking to know what others think about it and how it can be improved.

diyproteinskimmer.blogspot. c o m

[OneDummHikk]

I have seen a skimmer based on a 5 gallon water bottle and I have my doubts about them. The thickness of the water bottle is the main issue. That and trying to get a uniseal to seal in plastic that thin.

If you follow the link in the first post to the previous thread, you can see several incarnation of a 5 gallon bucket skimmer:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1386605

It went through at least 2 pumps and a redesign. Its a pretty solid design and has stood the test of time. He did have an issue with the bucket where it split on him.

As for girth and height, the main thing they have an impact on is dwell time. How long the air bubble is in contact with the water and how much water you can pump through the skimmer.

There is an entire thread on skimmer information here:

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f2...fo-124568.html
It got sidetracked at time but the information is solid. It covers nearly every aspect of skimmers that I could think of.
If there is something you think of that I didn't cover, please feel free to post it and ask. I would like to make that thread as informative and as complete as I can.


What size tank do you have? And, any pumps you have already? Skimmers are designed around the pump instead of the other way around. The pump will determine how much water and air you put into the skimmer and the amount of water helps determine the size of the body while the amount of air you put into the skimmer determines the neck size.

[wanareef]

Here's some reading on diy skimmers

[OneDummHikk]

I have read that article many many times and while it has some good information on the few types of skimmers it covers, it is very outdated with regards to the type of skimmer it is recommending - a counter current. While they are the most efficient type you can possibly build, they aren't the most efficient energy wise and the height needed for one to be efficient isn't practical in a stand.

While it does have some good information, it isn't something that should be recommended to help design a modern style skimmer that is either needlewheel, venturi or beckett driven.

[wanareef]

Originally Posted by OneDummHikk

I have read that article many many times and while it has some good information on the few types of skimmers it covers, it is very outdated with regards to the type of skimmer it is recommending - a counter current. While they are the most efficient type you can possibly build, they aren't the most efficient energy wise and the height needed for one to be efficient isn't practical in a stand.

While it does have some good information, it isn't something that should be recommended to help design a modern style skimmer that is either needlewheel, venturi or beckett driven.

For the Beckett and Venturi that article is relevant IMO just not for the needlewheel.

To compensate for the smaller height under the stand, usually you can go the next size tube (step up)

[OneDummHikk]

You are probably correct about the venturi. As for compensating, there are two different aspects of height and width. They are not interchangeable. Adding diameter to the tube doesn't increase dwell time, it simply allows you to send the same amount of water through the skimmer. The only way to increase dwell time is to increase the time it takes the air bubble to exit the neck and that is increased body height and/or recirculating the skimmer.

I didn't mean for it to sound as if I think that article is bad. I don't. Its a good read I just don't think its an answer all site anymore even though it was probably cutting edge in 2001 when it was created.

I still want to try to find a copy of Escobals book for less than a car payment costs me