Protien Skimmer

[Rippey]

I made a homade skimmer that sits in the tank. It hasnt produced any brown suds yet, could my other filters (regular fresh water filters that mount on the back) be getting it becuse every 3 days i have to clean brown skum from the fabric part of it to keep water flowing smoth the intakes are both in my home made skimmer part.

[hng]

I'm sorry, where is the skimmer in that pic? Could you provide some details on how you made the skimmer? I'm sure Geoff will be able to help you, he knows more about skimmers and is well known for his own DIY design.

[Rippey]

Hope this gives more detail. Click the image for a much bigger view.
The sudds off the bubles are clear with a rainbow appernce im guessing from the lights. Its a 30 gall tank. and its in the tank.

[hng]

It looks like you put a bubble wand in the tank with a divider? I'm sorry to say that I don't think that is a very efficient design. The bubbles are way too big to be effective and the quantity of bubble is not enough to skim anything. The contact time for the bubbles and water is not long enough. Where would you be collecting your skimate? I don't want to come off sounding like I'm bashing your DIY skimmer, I think it's a cool idea, but I dont think your design will work. Perhaps others will help.

[Rippey]

You aint bash, I have now experinnce in protien skimmers I need all the input and advice i can get. Every little critsimim and suggestions will help me!

[hng]

If you take a look at most commercial and DIY skimmers, you'll notice that they have a lot of common features. There will be some way to produce a cloud of very fine bubbles. The finer the bubbles, typically the more efficient the skimmer. Ways to produce bubbles include airstones, venturi, needlewheels, beckett injectors, and downdrafts. There will also be a reaction chamber where water and bubbles are allowed to mix slowly and then collects the bubbles together and allow the produced foam to slowly fill a collection cup. Take a look at the article below, it is very informative. For information on a great diy skimmer design, do search for "Geoff's skimmer"

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-0...ture/index.php

[Rippey]

Thanks his page helpd alot.